I have been experimenting with this process to add a gorgeous element to these peek-a-boo clocks. The gravitas imparted by the process and finished result (called yakisugi) are the blackest I have ever gotten wood before. Typically, using a dye or stain leaves a purple undertone to the black so it is not a true black. These are a deep rich black, that adds one more level of detail to the patinated copper clock designs.