About the Log Furniture Products
All our prices on the log furniture throughout this website have Shipping Included to the lower 48 Continental states!
The Logging Process
The logs are harvested in the Kootenai National Forest via a very selective process. Lodge pole pine is chosen due to its superior strength versus weight ratio and because it is generally straighter, thus easier to work with. Skilled woodmen select each tree with an attentive eye toward the quality, straightness and size of each specimen. After felling, each piece is hand carried to the road to ensure that it remains undamaged and that its removal does not scar the landscape. As a measure of our commitment to the environment, Kootenai Log Furniture prohibits the use of heavy equipment in the harvesting of the logs as the equipment and machinery would damage the surface texture of our products and most importantly, harm the surrounding environment.
Only trees that are “standing dead”, that is, they have died but not fallen, are chosen to use for the log furniture. Conversely, trees that have died and fallen to the ground are not used as they are subject to absorbing moisture and are more likely to discolor and rot. Some discoloration, however, is likely even in logs prepared from standing dead timber. The most prolific form of this discoloration is varying shades of blue. Sometimes referred to as 'blue pine' these pieces exhibit unique characteristics often sought by customers. Removing standing dead timber from our forests greatly reduces the danger of catastrophic firestorms such as those recently witnessed throughout the West. No wildlife habitat is harmed in our operations, as trees large enough to be inhabited are generally too large to be used in our products.
The Preparatory Process
After harvest, the logs are stored until sufficiently dry for use in the building of the furniture. During this drying period, some checking or cracking is likely and expected to occur. This is a natural process; it does not in any way affect the structural integrity of the log or the finished product. After the moisture content of the log has reached an acceptable level, the log is 'peeled'. Peeling is a process in which removal of the bark is accomplished by using a very sharp, hand-drawn knife known as a “drawknife”.
We choose this method because it gives the finished product an excellent texture and color contrast, whereas mechanical peelers only produce an unattractive, generic texture and little color contrast. During the hand-peeling process, the craftsman removes all of the outer bark as it has a tendency of later falling away; by removing some of the inner bark, the craftsman gives the log a skip-peeled texture. For those customers who desire a 'cleaner' look, we also offer the option of removing all of the inner bark. This is type of peeling is known as "clean peeled".
Mortise and Tenon Joinery
Some of the furniture is assembled using round mortise and tenon joinery. Simple and strong, the mortise and tenon style joint has been used for millennia by woodworkers around the world to join two pieces of wood into a rigid and strong assembly. For the mortise, or the hole, we use a variety of different drill presses and drill bit sizes. For the tenon, or the peg, we use a machine called a 'Log Woofer'. This machine works much like a very large pencil sharpener leaving a smaller, tapered end or tenon. Carefully sanding each piece of furniture before, during, and after the assembly process to smooth the furniture’s surface and to reduce the risk of gaining splinters is a standard procedure ensuring the highest quality product possible. During the assembly process, we apply a powerful adhesive into the mortise, or the hole, before joining the two pieces. After joining the two pieces, we use wood screws or staples to hold the two pieces firmly together until the adhesive sets. This drying period takes approximately twenty-four hours.
Finishing
After assembly, the items are again sanded and carefully re-inspected. Following the comprehensive inspection, the items are packaged to prevent dust collection and moved into inventory. If ordered by the customer, we varnish the item with a clear lacquer finish. To protect the original color and texture of your rustic log furniture we recommend a lacquer or water based varnish finish be applied to all our products. If left unfinished, the wood will yellow over time.
Most hardware stores and do-it-yourself warehouses sell small amounts of lacquer or water-based varnish and the tools necessary to complete the task. We highly recommend the application of two coats of clear lacquer or water based varnish finish to each piece of new rustic log furniture; doing so will protect the color and the beauty of the wood for many years.