[Amalgam]

Hello there,

I am new in this forum, new at carving, and new to the wood world. I live in Florida; so I feel so embarrassed about asking this question. But hey ignorance is free ;=} What is drift wood? What is the easiest way to find drift wood? And how can I recognize it?

Thank you so much for any help you can give to this apprentice.

Yours truly

Alfredo Alamo

[rick-in-seattle]

Al,
If that is the stupidest question you can come up with, you will fit right in here.

Driftwood is wood that drifts up on a beach or riverbank.
Usually, the bark has been worn off from abrasion and has a smooth sanded look.

Like "found wood" and "free wood", Drift wood may be of any species and/or quality.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

And...........ha ha............we can't ever let a post go by with a simple, short and too the point answer!! lol, if you carve driftwood, it has a lot of sand and grit in it and is very hard on tools, salt water driftwood is also full of sand and salt and if you think that stuff doesn't hurt, take a chainsaw to it and see how long the sharpening lasts on the chain!

[Ashbys]

Hi , Welcome to the boards! ,

And since Hi-Ho is my hero, I have to add , it can be found in many different places. Usally I consider it any wood that has been found in water. The reason it is called drift , is because it floats and drifts with the currents or as pushed by the wind through water. You can also find drift wood near lakes, and ponds. Some will still have the bark on. Most often it looks grey or a tone of grey on the outside.

Hope this helps.

Ash

[kaiserb]

Originally Posted by Hi_Ho_Sliver

And...........ha ha............we can't ever let a post go by with a simple, short and too the point answer!! lol, if you carve driftwood, it has a lot of sand and grit in it and is very hard on tools, salt water driftwood is also full of sand and salt and if you think that stuff doesn't hurt, take a chainsaw to it and see how long the sharpening lasts on the chain!

Power washing driftwood before carving is a must... take it to the local car wash and spray it off really good to get rid of the grit, grime and sand.

[artolver]

all that other stuff is nice but, I prefer mountain driftwood.
art

[AlArchie]

Would old timbers used for support in mine drifts, be considered driftwood?
Or would they simply be mine?
I don't want 'em.


(now, that a stupid ANSWER)

Al

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

But then you would get the shaft!

[AlArchie]

OK, Dave, I get the drift.

Al

[Kenny_S]

The drift is getting deep! Better wear your drift boots!


Art, is that wood that has drifted to the mountains?

However, I do agree is washing all the grit you can off of the drift wood. Like bark, it sure will dull your tools.