Violin Forum/Message Board

Mat Roop · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 9:30 pm Post subject: Equisetum

There appears to be several ways of using equisetum.... here are two sites, one, a video by Brian Lisus
http://lisusviolins.com at about time 34:45
showing how he uses it, but he seems to use it raw.
This other site, a woodworking site which describes a method of cooking and scraping the insides...
http://millcrek.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/rushes-equisetum-hyemale/

Does anyone seriously use equisetum, or is it just of historical interest and currently a passing fancy? If you are a user, how do you prepare it?

Where would you go to buy it?
Thanks... Mat

actonern · Super Member Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 444

I've used it, and find it a very fussy pants way to smooth the wood. Except for the little striations you sometimes get, I'd be astounded if anyone claims they can see the difference between wood prepared with horsetail and other widely available stuff like micro mesh.

You can find it growing around your area for sure. It tends to grow in a clusters... you just need to find a cluster. I can send you as much as you like... a bunch growing very close to my house.

Mat Roop · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 12:55 am Post subject:

Hi Actonern, Thanks for your reply! I have found some in a garden supply greenhouse, and I hear there is lots around... so I guess it's time to get my hiking boots on! The stuff growing in the green house 6"pot looks quite small, the stems are about 1/8" in diameter, and from what I see in the Lisus video appears to be about 1/4" in diameter... what size is yours?

Thanks for your offer to send some, but let me try to find some in a natural state first. BTW... where are you located?... if in the USA then there would be some agricultural importation issues perhaps as I am in Ontario Canada.

Also, How did you prepare the equisetum for use?
Thanks for your help.... Not sure I will use this stuff extensively, but am more curious than anything.
Thanks!... Mat.

actonern · Super Member Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 444

I'm in Acton, Ontario. The plants get bigger as they mature, as does the shaft diameter...

As for use, I cut the fresh pieces into lengths that are defined by the bamboo like separations going up the shaft. I then let them dry down to get rid of the excess moisture from fresh. Too much drying and they'll crumble and crack in use...

Good luck hunting!