[Mike-in-WV]

Took a drive this afternoon in the rain and found a couple of real nice Beech for canes and staffs with large knobs on top. Never carved Beech and was wondering if any of you all have. Thanks for any info you may have or suggestions on drying and carving Beech. I'm not a power carver , just a whitler and palm tools. Thanks , Mike

[squbrigg]

Beech should carve well, though it is a tough wood. Pretty straight grained and has the hardness of Maple, will finish beautifully. It bends well, if that's any help! Just take your time carving it, and keep your tools sharp, lots of stropping.

Bob

[Mike-in-WV]

Bob, I won't go in to my story of how I had to walk 5 miles to school every day in 5' of snow but I will tell you this...We ( 6 kids in the family) had to cut and split wood all summer long to burn in our fireplace and coal furnace to keep warm all winter and I do remember how great dry Beech was and how hard!. My teeth still vibrate just from thinking about splitting that stuff with sledge and wedge,Lol. Thanks for the info, Mike

[squbrigg]

I've split a lot of Beech in my own life, thankfully we had rental wood splitters around then, but I have split a lot of wood by axe or maul and wedge too. I'd rather use a wood splitter, any day.

Bob

[Kenny_S]

Haven't tried Beech wood. Let us know how it carves and of course a picture. Have a couple Birch and aspen staffs but both are a little heavy to actually use and to big around.

[Colin_Partridge]

Mike,
I have carved beech and it is even harder than maple and oak. Mind you carve it when it is green and it carves beautiful if you wait for it to age it will dull your tools really fast. I have done a few canes in beech, take's wonderful detail.
Colin

[Mike-in-WV]

Colin, You must be a mind reader,Lol. That was going to be my next question. I'm going to leave the bark on these and just take off the bark where I carve the spirit. The bark has lot's of warts and really looks great!. Thanks again Colin, I'll start carving tomorrow, I hope. Mike

[Mike-in-WV]

Colin, Carved a Woodspirit on the front of one of the Beech canes today , Even green it was hard stuff but nice to carve. It took detail real well but it was a little stringy or fuzzy also. If someone tried to carve this Beech with a power carver I think they would be pulling there hair out due to the fuzz it would create. I really like it as all I use is hand tools. I sealed the carving with some Mixwax natural wood stain and now it can dry for 6 months or so and I'll finish it up with the bark on it and sealing all of it then with water base Poly. Got three more Beech to carve also. Thanks again for the heads up on carving Beech in the green, Mike