Hakim

True Ouddict
Salam all,

What do you guys look out for other when selecting chips? Maybe any physical characteristics that show the chips have better aroma, etc as it would be impossible to burn every chip slightly while choosing them.
 
For the most part...you have to burn every chip.

There are some cases, that when the chips are big enough, and judging by their general shapes, the style of carving, their color, and their resination...
all these factors in comparison to each other.....
then you may be able to pick those that will smell similar....within a batch.

As for what will smell good based on appearance
.......no way José.
 

Hakim

True Ouddict
For the most part...you have to burn every chip.

There are some cases, that when the chips are big enough, and judging by their general shapes, the style of carving, their color, and their resination...
all these factors in comparison to each other.....
then you may be able to pick those that will smell similar....within a batch.

As for what will smell good based on appearance
.......no way José.

How about flat pieces resinated on one side vs thicker pieces?

20200109_172115.jpg 20200109_172302.jpg
 

Hakim

True Ouddict
I will heat them and compare:Cooler:
The thicker pieces seem to have more concentrated resin and much more vanillic notes to me. Hmm the thinner pieces lasted much shorter with a sweeter scent profile similar to other cultivated oud

Really love heating oud using a mica plate and charcoal :X3:
 

Andrew Salkin

it's aboud time!
Staff member
How about flat pieces resinated on one side vs thicker pieces?

View attachment 10980 View attachment 10981

Those smaller nugget pieces look more like they could be wild. They might have more resin than appearances would let you believe but they do look pretty white. The 2nd pic looks more like cultivated wood. Again - not anything crazy looking resin wise. I think I'd probably prefer the first picture if you forced me to pick from photos alone.
 

Hakim

True Ouddict
Those smaller nugget pieces look more like they could be wild. They might have more resin than appearances would let you believe but they do look pretty white. The 2nd pic looks more like cultivated wood. Again - not anything crazy looking resin wise. I think I'd probably prefer the first picture if you forced me to pick from photos alone.

Hmm so the first few are possibly wild? I picked these out from a mixed batch of some wild and majority cultivated (similar to the flat sheets) and yes, they're not high grade chips but look darker irl as the pic was taken with direct sunlight facing the chips
 

Oud_learner

Junior Member
Salam all,

What do you guys look out for other when selecting chips? Maybe any physical characteristics that show the chips have better aroma, etc as it would be impossible to burn every chip slightly while choosing them.

If you truly want to know what you are paying for, do as what @Oudamberlove said, you have to heat smell every single piece. Physical appearance does not correlate well to its aroma (classical example is the kyara/kinam), otherwise one could just buy the blackest piece he could ever find.

For me, the rule of thumb is the unheated wood fragrance. If no smell (‘woody’ smell does not count), buy consideration base on heat test only. If slight fragrance, will consider based on appearance (mainly to check for adulteration) and pricing; if heat test is not possible. If strong fragrance, will buy straight away if within budget, even without the heat test (appearance check still needed to check for authenticity). If superb strong fragrance, don’t bother to buy, just contact me! [emoji16]
 

VPhong

Oud Tea
I would add, be careful of glued oud chips. This piece emitted a faintly chemical smell.
 

Attachments

  • Glue1.jpg
    Glue1.jpg
    103.2 KB · Views: 311
  • Glue2.jpg
    Glue2.jpg
    112.8 KB · Views: 295

tpemnl

Oud Beginner
Like a rock. Not a rock. Like a ladies perfume..
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200112_124219.jpg
    IMG_20200112_124219.jpg
    71.2 KB · Views: 303

tpemnl

Oud Beginner
its hard to get the smoke out. Any ideas?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200112_124305.jpg
    IMG_20200112_124305.jpg
    94.1 KB · Views: 287
  • IMG_20200112_124235.jpg
    IMG_20200112_124235.jpg
    62 KB · Views: 271
  • IMG_20200112_124235.jpg
    IMG_20200112_124235.jpg
    62 KB · Views: 263

tpemnl

Oud Beginner
resin
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200112_134427.jpg
    IMG_20200112_134427.jpg
    96.5 KB · Views: 286
  • IMG_20200112_134421.jpg
    IMG_20200112_134421.jpg
    76.9 KB · Views: 331
Top