Weekly Spindle Review ~ 3G Woodworks

Maker: 3G Woodworks
Weight: 49 g /  1.72 oz
Length: 9 1/4" Shaft  
Style: Top Whorl
Woods: Amboyna Burl Whorl, Walnut Shaft

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I will admit this spindle was an impulse buy.  The burl wood caught my eye and I HAD to have it, without knowing anything about them. 

My sample is BFL/Silk (75/25) in the colourway "Renaissance Fair" from Littlest Lamb Boutique. The skein is 20 yards of n-plyed yarn.

Let's get right down to the obvious - the whorl is absolutely stunning.  Chaos and little storms are spinning within this wood and you can't help but become mesmerized.
There is a nice deep notched at the 9:00 position and its wonderful because it holds your fibre, no matter what thickness you are spinning.  

The underbelly of the whorl has been carved out to push the weight to the outside without taking much of the guts out.  As you check out the spin time below, this spindle has the longest spin time so far of any spindle reviewed this year.  Even longer than the Golding!!  That alone may be a major reason for you to look towards these spindles for your next purchase.  The weight of the spindle has been engraved into the underside of the whorl, it has been done neatly and the writing isn't too large.  

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One downside of the whorl is its thickness at 1/2".  The wood used is very lightweight so that's not a huge deal breaker for this particular spindle but another, more dense wood might change this from a 1.72 oz spindle to a boat anchor.  

The hook is very dainty and quite nice.  No cup hooks here.  It is well centered, balanced and glued in tightly.  If you happen to drop this spindle and bend the hook, it would be a breeze to re-align.  The depth of the hook is also just right, not too shallow and not too long.  

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The shaft is very "ho-hum".  It's not very shapely and I find it to be a little on the thick side.  It's in proportion with the rest of the spindle but it definitely adds to its weight.  The end of the shaft has been tapered so if you are looking to transfer you cop to a straw, knitting needle or another shaft for plying, its very easy.  The shaft is smooth and the grain in the wood is lovely.  It is attached to the whorl professionally with a smooth join and no excess glue.

I bought this spindle 4 years ago and it was under $30 including shipping.  When I think of 3G Woodworks, their use of interesting woods comes to mind.  They use really cool combinations and rare woods that are hard to find.  These spindles may surprise you.  They are on the heavier side but would make wonderful plying spindles and the slower spin makes spinning longwools that don't need a lot of twist much easier.  This is also a great travel spindle because you can throw it in your bag or basket and know that it can hold its own.  It's hefty but also a hardworker.   

Spindle rating:
Length of spin: 38.3 seconds!!! (average of three tests)
Fibre storage ability: Very, very good
Looks: Eye-Catching
Overall Rating: 8.0/10


3G Woodworks aren't as well known as many other spindle makers but don't let that deter you.  You may surprise yourself with these spinners.  I've kept it in my collection and not only because of its beautiful whorl but it is a great spindle for beginners, its dependable and I can spin thicker yarns on it and maximize yardage at the same time.  

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