When to Fix and When to Burn?

I was turning another file handle on my pole lathe on Sunday when I discovered a worm hole that only got bigger the more I turned away. Check out this short video to see what I mean:

Apr 20, 2014 | Amazing appearing wormholes. Dangit! by RenaissanceWW on Keek.com

Over the subsequent few days since I posted that Keek, I have gotten no fewer than 50 emails telling me I’m crazy for giving up and pitching that piece of Cherry. Many urge me to fill the holes with epoxy and saw dust others tell me to use epoxy and dye and highlight the worm trails. Still others suggest more exotic inlay materials but every one of them thinks I’m nuts for not at least trying to fix it.

So I’m taking a step back and examining my life. Have I become jaded to wood use? Do I take it for granted since I work at a lumber yard and drive by a log yard every day where I can spend $20 and have enough green wood to make a dozen bowls and heaven know how many handles like this? I feel like I do my best to conserve and use my wood wisely but frankly I had only about 30 minutes of work into this handle from splitting out the blank, roughing to round on my Shave Pony, then turning and fitting the mandrel. I could easily cut off the mandrel and use it again or just heat it up til it slips off so I was not concerned about the potential waste.

So here I stand guilted by my audience into trying to patch with epoxy and finish it off. Now I admit it could be fun and I’m sure it will look cool when it is done. But recognize now that my 45 minutes project just became a multiple day deal when you factor in epoxy drying time.

So seriously, what would you do?

What would the average woodworker who isn’t blessed with a bounty of wood in your shop and out your office window do? I would hate to think my day job has me taking wood for granted, but it is a distinct possibility.