Frequent Asked Questions
Is your furniture stained? We prefer to use a natural or clear finish on our work to show the natural beauty and color of the wood at its best.
How are pieces finished? We use a mixture of Tung oil and urethane varnish as our standard finish. It has proven itself to be very durable, resistant to water damage, and easily repaired if necessary.
What is ebonizing? Ebonizing is one of several processes where wood is blackened to resemble ebony. We use an aniline dye on cherry.
How do I care for my furniture? Most often the use of a slightly dampened soft cloth is all that is necessary for regular upkeep. If you desire to renew the sheen a light coat of paste wax or furniture polish is sufficient. For more serious problems such as surface damage, feel free to contact us for advice.
Do you offer your work in other woods? We prefer to work in Appalachian hardwoods. These include such species as: cherry, walnut, maple, and white oak. We also offer work in figured and specially sawn woods such as curly and birdseye maple, curly cherry and quartersawn oak. We avoid tropical species for ethical reasons.
I'm used to cherry furniture being quite dark in color. The photos of cherry on your website look light - why? Most commercially made cherry furniture is stained dark. Naturally finished cherry is quite light when new, but as it ages it develops the beautiful patina that stains can only try to duplicate.
Probst Furniture Makers :: Hamlin, WV 25523