So - the man and I have tentatively reached a conclusion on dining chairs. CH24 - aka the Wishbone. (we both really liked CH46 - but WAY out of budget)
I'm a little confused as to what the differences in wood are - hoping people here can help me differentiate them. I see Oak, Beech, Ash, Walnut, Cherry, Maple, and lacquered oak as well.
Some things I have questions with:
Are there structural benefits to the wood types beyond just color/grain? i.e - will one wood be sturdier than others?
Why is there a significant difference between black lacquered Oak and soap finished oak? ($150 gap)
I like the idea of soap finish, but will it patina or just get dirty over time?
Aside from color, why would someone choose a lacquer finish?
I wanted to get unbiased (relative to a salesperson, since there is a great range of prices) information before I head into the shop.
Some answers...
Are there structural benefits to the wood types beyond just color/grain? i.e - will one wood be sturdier than others?
Yes, there are other characteristics than the color/grain. Oak for instance is a harder wood than beech or ash but it holds tannins and they will over time affect the quality of the glue. I am sure the makers of these chairs do everything possible to minimalize that effect but you can not eliminate it completely. Ash has the longest fibres of all common woods and thin sections are stronger in ash than in any other wood.
But of the woods that are mentioned you would never see a noticeable difference in use or life length. The choice given by the manufacturer is really about color and grain.
Why is there a significant difference between black lacquered Oak and soap finished oak? ($150 gap)
To lacquer a chair like this in oak requires a lot of preparation, primer, sanding, base coat sanding etc.
It just is a longer process.
I like the idea of soap finish, but will it patina or just get dirty over time?
Yes, it will but with proper maintenance the patina will just make it more beautiful over time.
Aside from color, why would someone choose a lacquer finish?
Just because of the colour and the fact that it will not age the same way as exposed wood.
Oak finish
I have the soap oak finish and find that any marks can easily be removed with fine wire wool. I've also got Dinesen floors with a white soap finish so could use the soap for this on the chair, if necessary.
However although the wishbone chair is very beautiful I don't find it all that comfortable for sitting; the lovely curved back seems to hit MY back in just the wrong place. This is why I only have one of these.
Our dining chairs are the Jacobsen Ant
Hi Lucifersum
I have seen both treatements and I am sure that to lacquer a chair like this is more expensive, so yes the question becomes: could the wood be of a lower quality. I do not think so. First of all most parts of the wishbone are to demanding on the wood to use inferior parts, secondly any inferior part of the wood (irregular grain etc.) would show up quite quickly especially in our generally dry north american homes (compared with Denmark). It might be, and that the lacquer hides oak that is slightly discolored, not unusual with oak. The black lacquer could hide that effectively but it is certainly not a quality issue.
Post-Gustaf comment: I suspect he is giving you the right answer!!
Just popped in
I just popped into a showroom today that had some Wegner chairs, but not the CH24.
However, I've seen most of the finishes on swatches. Definitely the starting point is black lacquered oak. My guess would be that Koen is correct - not necessarily flaws in the wood other than visual. All of the other oak chairs I saw were P E R F E C T in the graining. Sadly - I think budget is going to keep me in the Beech/Soap finish.
Was very impressed with the soap finish! The oil was nice too, but the clear lacquers were a little too shiny for me.
Still trying to nail down some vintage pieces if I can - but doesn't appear that anyone in Boston has any.
Not available
I dont think those are available in the US. However, I've seen similar danish chairs and the hubby didn't love them. They reminded him of cafe chairs.
I was really in love with Ch 47 - so simple and almost anonymous. But at a start price of $1100usd = out of my range.
The J39 is very...
The J39 is very comfortable, and, considering its solid construction and history, I'd say it offers good value for money. But yes, it is modest and ubiquitous looking, and admittedly not as sculptural as the CH 24. Both are great choices. For your future reference, Fredericia does seem to have a U.S. rep, see link below.
http://www.fredericia.com/show.asp?lang=uk&p=68040&sp=67611&mp=66727&s=page
soap finish
I'd go with the soap finish if you like it and can swing it. It won't wear off or chip like the lacquer finish will, and all you have to do to clean and renew it is to apply more soap and wipe it down. The soap fills the pores of the wood and keeps dirt from sinking in deeply. Soaping the wood up periodically floats any dirt up and off.
There are soap-finished wood floors in Scandinavia in use for centuries that have never been re-sanded and still look good.
I wonder if the black lacquered chairs are less expensive because they're made of a mix of woods? (Or did someone already point that out?) I've stripped original paint off furniture only to find that it was made from two or more kinds of wood.
They spec
They spec oak on the lacquer finish - I think they'd need to disclose if it weren't entirely oak.
However, the decision was stacked against me (natural) as I polled my friends - who all seemed to prefer black...UNTIL one friend said "the black lacquer look is so...1980s".
If we do indeed get these, its natural with a soap finish. I know the soap finish seems like a lot more work up front, but I am very much drawn to it's timlessness and lack of any special treatment (i.e. relacquering the entire chair).
I will let y'all know soon enough! Thanks for the input.
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