We all know that chess set is the combination of both chess pieces and chessboard. Chess sets with extraordinary designs are made of different materials such as metals, plastic, wood, alabaster, glass, marble and stone. Stone chess sets are mainly made of alabaster and marble. Since the ban on elephant tusk, sellers now use camel bone to make bone chess pieces.
Plastic chess pieces are basically colorless because of the polymers found in them. Metal chess sets are made of alloys like zinc, tin, copper, bronze, brass, aluminum and pewter.
Wooden chess sets are in great demand among chess lovers, collectors and chess players . As they offer a huge variety to the buyers, Ebony and rosewood make the most luxury chess sets in the world.
These exotic woods are hardwoods and it is very rare. This is first and foremost reason why wooden chess pieces are very valuable and expensive in the market. Aspects such as skilled artisans, usage of finest quality materials and many other also drive up the prices of these exquisite chess sets. Know more why handmade wooden chess sets are expensive.
Things to keep in mind before you actually start carving –
- Carving wooden chess sets require a high level of precision and focus.
- The chess pieces begin life as shapeless blocks of hardwood. Very dense and consistent woods are used, so that meticulous chess pieces are carved out of it. So, you’ll be needing heavy tools and motor to spin the block to carve easily.
- Chess pieces with extremely detailed displaying strands of hair, teeth, etc are costly because of the level of hard work and time put into them for carving out those extraordinary chess pieces.
- Solid understanding on different types of woods used in a handmade chess set can help you make informed decisions about the appearance, quality, and overall experience of the set. Also it allows you to create or select a chess set that aligns with your preferences and intended purpose. So, make sure you must have a proper understanding on various types of woods before carving.
It’s really a work of art, so if you’re 100% sure then go for it. Best of luck.
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Now, let’s dive into the theoretical aspect of how to carve a wooden chess set –
- Designing the chess pieces: The very first step is to choose a design for your chess piece. You can get a design online, from books or you can think of your own design. Second, you have to choose the wood, If you want a black carved piece you can use Ebony wood shown in the picture below:
- Carving the pieces on the wood lathe machine: Take two different kinds of woods, one for darker side and other for the lighter side. You can also choose the same kind of wood for both the sides, the pieces then can be stained afterward. Now take the wooden block and mount it on the lathe.
- Start turning and press the cutting tool up to the turning piece of wood, to begin carving it.
- Doing the fine carving: Now this is the most challenging part of chess making process. Carve your chess pieces to perfection using special tools, knives, and your hand. Use your chess design and give those details to your chess pieces.
- Sanding and treating the chess pieces: It is very important to sand the chess pieces, in order to get the smooth and even surface. Chess pieces are then treated with a solution that helps the chess pieces to preserve.
- Final finishing and polishing: Final touches are made and chess pieces are polished to a high shine. Chessbazaar buff polishes the chess pieces to make the world’s best quality chess pieces.
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*Tools Required: Pencil, Scratch paper, Wooden lathe, Different sandpaper grits. Begin carving your dream chess set or we at chessbazaar will be more than glad to make the chess set that you always wanted but could not find or it was way too expensive to buy one from some other seller. Know More
Do Check Out this amazing video on Luxury Wooden Handmade Chess Sets in Staunton Style & Chess Reproductions from chessbazaar:
The month of “love” dedicated to the mighty chess collectors as we came up with the launches of much awaited and anticipated 1935 Botvinnik Flohr Reproduced Soviet chess set and 4” Dubrovnik chess set. Botvinnik set is an arresting chess set, mainly for its excellent value and legendary design. Dedicated to the Mikhail Botvinnik and Flohr , this venerable chess set’s dark pieces are made of Ebony wood and the light pieces are made of Boxwood, bringing back the memories of 1935 famous Botvinnik–Flohr chess match. The King proudly stands at 4 inches and its base is a robust 1.7 inches. The chess set comes with 34 pieces including 2 extra queens. Durbvonik Chess Set V2.0 in 4” chess set has also had a major presence in the best seller section throughout the month. We have also announced two more chess sets last month, so if you think you might have missed the launches or are simply looking for an orderly recap, the table below should be for you. It also comes complete with links to our respective product page.
1935 Botvinnik Flohr Reproduced Soviet chess set
Durbvonik Chess Set V2.0 in 4”
Reproduced Antique Series Dublin Pattern Chess Pieces
1940-50 Reproduced (Soviet Era) Russian Series Chess Set
We again, tie up with World’s famous chess restorer Mr. Alan Dewey for the true reproduction of 1935 Botvinnik Flohr Reproduced Soviet chess set. Each chessmen is carefully crafted with dainty details that add a dash of opulence and visual appeal. Outstanding design features include the bishop without its mitre cut and the details applied to the knight’s mane. The other chess pieces are also uniquely stylized to allow the set to truly stand out. This venerable chess set’s dark pieces are made of Ebony wood and the light pieces are made of Boxwood. Ebony wood is an alluring wood and probably the most admired wood for reproduced chess sets. The King proudly stands at 4 inches and its base is a robust 1.7 inches. The chess set comes with 34 pieces including 2 extra queens. Each piece is generously weighted and features green felt bases to protect the chess board.
Bigger has always been better: As long as we are on the subject of reproduced chess sets, stained crimson Durbvonik Chess Set V2.0 in 4” is one that deserves some attention. Reproduced Dubrovnik chess set v2.0 has an eye-catching design, weighted chess pieces with a 4″ King and base diameter of 1.7″ This version is also double weighted and the chess pieces have thick green felt on their bases. The dark chess pieces are made in Stained Crimson and the lighter chess pieces are made in box wood.
Reproduced Antique Series Dublin Pattern new chess pieces made the headlines as well, with a king height of 4.1″ and a base diameter of 1.6″ these pieces are rugged and have thick green felt on their bases. The dark side of chess pieces is made in ebony wood and the lighter side is made in box wood.
We are already selling one of our bestseller, the 1940-50 Reproduced (Soviet Era) Russian Series Chess Set in Sheesham & box wood and now we have introduced the same in stained box wood version. Each of the chess pieces has thick green felt on their bases. The dark chess pieces are made of stained dyed box wood and the lighter chess pieces are made of box wood.
It comes as no surprise that the Botvinnik & Dubrovnik chess set is still on everybody’s mind but the best is yet to come. We, in association with Mr. Alan Dewey are coming up with the Replica of BCC chess set. Further announcements regarding the launch will be update accordingly on our website/Facebook page.
