Double Flag Sword Case

I built this Double Flag Sword Case for a Navy LT that wanted a place to display his sword in his new home. For those not familiar with the blue flag with the trident it is the US Naval Academy flag. The emblems inside were cut with my CNC machine. The one on top is the Information Dominance Warfare Officer pin and the one on the bottom is the Machinist Mate Rating Badge. This is built from Oak wood. I did the finish a little differently on this project. I took a Mapp Gas torch and flame kissed the wood. Then I stained it with Early American Stain and finished it with clear lacquer. The sap wood grain of the oak darkens easily when you hit it with the flame. This makes it stand out even more when you apply the stain. I was surprised and pleased with the overall effect. If you are looking for a way to add a bit of an antique effect and make the oak grain stand out I would recommend giving this method a try.

-- Tim Haenisch, San Diego Ca. http://www.facebook.com/commandperformancewooddesigns