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CANE - RATTAN – WICKER - A Primer to understanding
this unique Timber CANE (Rattan):
The use of Cane in home furnishings is not
new. It dates back to the 1700s in Asia and the Philippines
where cane was used to craft many household articles.
England’s love affair of Wicker and
Rattan bespeaks Victorian in its most romantic sense.
And began back in the 1800’s, America followed in the 1920’s
with South Africa catching on in the 1950’s.
South Africans longed for a porch full of cane furniture as
it was cheaply made and was strictly a type of furniture used
on the patio. Today, innovative, well-made designs and combinations
of wood, wrought iron and leather with Cane make it an attractive
option in dining rooms, bedrooms, lounges and family rooms. However,
the Rand is no longer stronger than the Dollar and labour is no longer
exploited in South Africa that has resulted in a par of Cane, Wooden or
Upholstered Furniture. But, Cane is definitely back for an encore as
South African consumers again delight in their casual and comfortable
appeal suited to our lifestyle.
CHARACTERISTICS
Cane is a vine that grows in the mountain regions of the Mallaca
Straights and Philippines where the rainfall normally exceeds
1000 mm annually. It grows in tangles, horizontally, like ivy,
but is solid, not hollow as in bamboo. Cane is pliable and easily
bent and curved (with the aid of steam ovens) to form many shapes
for frames. Although highly flexible, it is one of the strongest
timbers available.Although Cane is as strong as wood for furniture
making, it is much lighter in weight and will withstand tough,
daily usage.
ALL WICKER IS CANE
Although many consumers use the terms “wicker” and cane (rattan)
interchangeably, they are not the same thing. Wicker, which means
woven, is a by-product of Cane (rattan); hence all Wicker is Cane,
but all Cane is not Wicker. Wicker is a term for the smaller stems
from the cane plant and is obtained during the harvesting and
production period.
HARVESTING
Cane cutters live in the jungle in wooden houses built on stilts
with their whole livelihood: goats, hens and cows, etc. They are
experienced people and control the cutting of cane for harvesting
which takes place when the vine is six to fifteen years old. Cane
has become scarce due to deforestation and fines applied for cutting
immature cane that results in the cutters moving deeper into the
jungle. When knots on the cane are far apart this indicates good rain,
whereas close knots are as a result of a dry season. If the vines are
immature, creasing will take place. At this point, stems can be
several metres long with a growth path through every part of the
jungle terrain that will not permit use of vehicles and other
machinery. As the vines are removed, they are cut into 7m lengths,
tied into bundles of usually 50 poles and carried on the backs of
the workers, sometimes several miles to local furniture factories
or Export Agents.
Natural Manau: Sizing 20/22mm – 32/34mm diameters
Natural Manau cane is the most popular of all the natural
canes as it is the easiest to bend.
Natural Batang: Sizing 20/22mm – 32/34mm diameters.
Natural Batang is exactly the same as Natural Manau but not as
easy to bend and therefore preferred in straight work.
Natural Tohiti: Sizing 14/16mm – 18/20mm diameters.
Natural Tohiti is the same as all the above natural canes
except that it comes in smaller diameters.
Weaving Cane: Sizing 2mm – 15mm diameters.
Centre Cane is as the name indicates, the centre of the cane. The raw
cane is forced through a stationary cutter and the solid centre of the
cane is cut into round pieces of varying millimetre sizes depending on
the size of the cutter used.
White Poeleot: Sizing 2/3mm, 2/4mm, 3/6mm diameter
White Poeleot is a natural raw material with its skin on. White Poeleot
is very popular as a weaving cane through the weaving industry, and is
therefore very strong.
Kooboo Basket: Sizing 3/6mm. 4/8mm. 8/11mm. 10/15mm diameter.
For those of us who remember being caned at school, that is exactly what
Kooboo Basket is. Kooboo is used mainly in the manufacture of dog baskets,
it is extremely strong and very supple.
Rattan Peel: Sizing 5/6mm. 6/7mm diameter.
Rattan Peel is referred to as Wrapping and is cut from the skin of the
Kooboo Basket. Rattan Peel is used for the wrapping of the joints in cane
furniture.
Flat Flat: Sizing 5/6mm. 8mm. 10mm. 16mm (width) x 1mm thick.
Flat Flat has all the characteristics of centre canes except of course its
profile is “flat flat” and as the name suggests it is a flat strip of centre
cane. This is ideally used for filling in a basket because the weaving goes
quickly and it is very light.
Seagrass Cord: Sizing 3/4mm diameter.
Seagrass cord is very popular in the manufacturing of lampshades and
basketware. Seagrass has a lovely natural appearance and also has a
delightful natural grass odour.
Webbing: Sizes ½ inch x 18 inch (45.72cm), ½ inch x 24 inch
(60.96cm) x 15-metre roll.
Octagonal mesh webbing (because there are 8 sides to each hole). This is
the standard traditional webbing used in the seats of antique chairs and
for the paneling of the sides of furniture. It is actually made from chair
cane 2.5mm. This webbing has its skin on.
PROCESSING
When the poles arrive at the Export Agents in the East, The poles are
stripped of bark, boiled in large vessels with a mixture of Palm and
Crude oil to eliminate the jungle green colour, fumigated with methol
bromide to remove insects as well as moisture and then stood on end in
teepee style to dry. The tough outer skin is carefully peeled away.
This skin becomes peel cane, known to us as Wrapping, which is to bind
the joints of the furniture frame. Wrapping, an extremely tough material
is also woven to make cane seats and backs (known to us as Webbing) in
addition to other uses. Next, the cured and stripped poles are sanded,
cut into appropriate lengths needed for export. These Export Agents
export these Cane products to our Import Agents in South Africa.
THE SPECIES OF CANES WE USE FOR FURNITURE AND BASKETWARE
Polished Pole Cane: Sizing 10/12mm – 32/34mm diameters.
Polished Pole Cane is the description given to all canes that have had
their outer skin removed and the cane has then gone through a sanding
process to produce a smooth finish. As the skin has been removed from
the cane, the cane will now absorb a stain and this cane is therefore
ideal for using in furniture that is going to be stained a darker colour.
There are three different species of cane in this category, namely Batang,
Manau and Tohiti. There is very little difference between the three canes
and all types are interchangeable.
Natural Pole Canes:
ORDERING
We place monthly orders with our Import Agents in South Africa for
about 2.5 tons a month of the various sizes and types of cane used
for Furniture and Basket ware. Our purchases are dollar related and
fluctuate with each purchase. Obviously we have to be astute, as we
cannot change our prices monthly, at times certain Canes are unavailable
and we have to substitute, ships docking late or strikes at the harbour.
THE PROCESS AND PRODUCTION OF CANE FURNITURE AND BASKETWARE
CUTTING
The CUTTING Team Leader and his team initiate the production of
furniture in first sorting the type and sizes of Canes needed for the
product to be made. The Canes are measured according to specifications
and are cut accordingly.
BENDING
The cut Cane pieces are put into the steam oven that makes them
temporarily flexible enough to form into a furniture part in combination
with a handmade jig around which the poles are shaped. The jig, a sort
of a mould that is handmade and crude in appearance, is actually fashioned
with careful accuracy to precise measurements by using the steam oven,
which makes the poles pliable, the worker molds the pole to the jig.
ASSEMBLY
The formed Cane pieces are then assembled into a frame using
screws and glue. When cool, the pole retains the shape. The
advantage is that it is accurate and economical for huge quantities
of poles. The disadvantage is that it requires much teamwork.
WRAPPING, STOPPING AND FILLING
The frame is then wrapped with Wrapping covering the joints for
aesthetic appeal as well as further strengthening the frame.
After wrapping, the frame goes to the Stopping division, where
screws and or nails are covered for an all over smooth effect. Once
the frame has been stopped, it goes to the Filling section where the
frame is further Filled with supports making the frame steadfast for
support and durability.
WEAVING
The frame then goes to the Weaving division where specialist craftsmen
weave the structure applying skill and talent into their designs.
These craftsmen achieve this level after a minimum of 10 years experience.
FINISHING
Natural Finish: This finish is a clear lacquer used on Cane that
still has its bark.
Refined Finish: Centrecore Canes have had the bark removed.
Centrecore is then sanded, lacquer applied and sanded again for
a more refined finish.
Stained Finish: Like wood furniture, Cane is most often given a
finish using stain. We offer 15 different colour stains, which
are spirit dyes. This means that it will not cover or hide the grain
of Cane but will enhance it.
CUSHIONS
Cushions of foam or fiber fillings provide comfort in Cane furniture
and when covered in a pretty fabric give the furniture its zest.
Foam is a cellular material, created by a chemical reaction that results
in millions of tiny cells, each acting as a small spring. These
cells provide foam cushions with contoured, even support in proportion
to the weight applied to a given spot. Our Cane Furniture seats are filled
with Polyurethane foam, which is manufactured in a variety of densities and
varying degrees of hardness/softness. A good way to tell quality foam is to
lift it. The foam should be heavier than it looks and difficult to compress.
The Cushion backs are favoured with a filling of Polypuffs, soft bouncy
little balls of foam, a densely textured material of polyester and
other synthetic fibers producing a heavy over-stuffed looked.
FABRICS
The fabric selected for upholstering a cushion of a Cane suite
or chair is just as important as that for a fully upholstered piece.
Like with conventional upholstery, the classic standard for wear applies
here: “The tighter the weave, the longer the wear and makes it stain
resistant”. For the cleaning of cushions, it is recommended that you use
1 liter of water with 1tablespoon of Bicarbonate of Soda to sponge cushions
down for cleaning and freshness.
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