question about pearwood (laying outside for 2 years)

[woodpyjamas]

Hi everyone! Im a beginner from Sweden!

I got some questions about wood if anyone can help me.

I have lots of pearwood thats been laying outside for about 2 years...

Can i use this material?... of course it can be used, but will it be any good?

I understand the best thing is to dry it for a year or so...(?)...

[Dicky]

Once it dries, it will be very hard wood.

[jmischel]

Pear is beautiful wood, and a joy to carve. It's a little bit hard, but no match for sharp tools.

The normal advice is to let wood dry for one year per inch (2.5 cm) of thickness before you work with it. I seldom follow that advice, especially for my small carvings. I've carved pear that was freshly cut, and pear that's been sitting outside for many years. I've never had a problem.

Here's an example of a little dog (2 inches tall) that I carved from pear. The wood had been drying for about a year.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Welcome to the forum.

Dave

[LBlake]

I was jealous when I saw the title of this post. I haven't tried pear, but have heard of it a lot, and read about it, and it sounds like a great wood for carving. Sure, it would be harder than basswood, but otherwise, sounds like it has great carving characteristics. Enjoy!

[woodpyjamas]

Thanks guys!

Cute dog!

Lblake: I like your spoons! I was just about to say i havent seen anything like that before, but then i remembered that my grandmother has a spoon like that hanging on the wall.
Its not as nice as yours but its an old one and maybe it has an interesting story behind it, im going to ask her next time i see her.

[woodpyjamas]

Wow it was really hard to carve in pearwood.

Im working on a foot long log. My biggest gouge is a 8/10...

been doing this for like 5 hours and ive just scratched the surface.

[mpounders]

You might try to get something less discouraging to start with, such as basswood/linden/limewood or poplar. Green, fresh wood is easier to carve in a lot of species, but you do run the risk of larger pieces developing cracks as they dry out.

[LBlake]

Thanks, about the spoons. Sorry to hear the pear wood is giving you a hard time. Maybe it is better reserved for smaller carvings like spoons. Spoons are fun - I highly recommend giving some a try!
Mine are made in the tradition of Welsh lovespoons - ask your grandma about hers - maybe someone made it for her. That's the best way to get one.