Pyrography is the art of decorating wood, leather, and gourd with burn marks. This is done by controlled burning with a heated object. The term pyrography came from the Greek words pur (fire) and graphos (writing). This means writing with fire. Pokerwork, on the other hand, is a type of pyrography. It’s also called wood burning.
Tools and Materials in Pyrography
Solid-point burners
This burner is similar in design to a soldering iron. It has a solid brass tip. This is best used for straight lines. It operates at a fixed temperature.
Wire-nib burners
These burners have varied temperature controls. This is convenient for those who are beginners in pyrography. Some models have interchangeable nibs (tips), making it possible to do different designs.
Laser cutters
This can be set to scorch the material instead of cutting it all the way through. Many laser cutters have software facilities that import image files then transfer them into the canvass. Take note that some lasers are sensitive enough to perform on very thin materials such as cards and paper.
Canvass
The canvass can be wood, gourd, or leather. For beginners, it may be wise to start with wood. This is because wood is tougher and more durable than the other two. Furthermore, it’s recommended to use fine or moderately coarse textured wood. This will let you practice how you use the tools and control the temperature of the burners.
What are the Best Woods for Pokerwork?
Birch
This has a pale color and burns easily. The pale color highlights the burned or etched design in a good way. It also has an attractive satin-like sheen. This gives it a polished look. More importantly, the smooth surface makes it easy to fix any mistakes.
Beech
This wood has a white to pinkish color. It has a fine grain, making burning easier and smoother. It is durable and accessible, being something that can be found in any lumber or hardware store.
Basswood
This wood is very soft and easy to burn. It practically has no grains. This makes burning in the design easy. Aside from that, basswood’s surface is clean and light. This lets you burn in beautiful light or dark details on it. The softness lets you easily create divots, embossed lines, and grooves.
Poplar
It’s one of the most popular woods pyrographers use. This is because it burns easily, is very accessible, and can be customized to any size. It is also cheaper than maple. In addition, it’s gouge resistant, meaning fixing any mistakes done won’t be much of a problem.
Poplar’s light color highlights most designs. Also, the minimal grain characteristic of this wood makes it easy to burn on.
Things to Remember
Don’t burn on wood that has sap or resin. It is best to use wood that has already been treated. It’s recommended to use wood that is 3/8 inches or thicker. Thinner woods tend to curl or break when burned on. And, don’t forget to work in a well-ventilated room and wear a mask. Long exposure to smoke is harmful.
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