Carving Butternut

[GFBentz]

I work mostly in butternut. I too find it to be brittle and splintery. But I love the way it feels and sounds under my gouges ( my parrot has learned to make that sound, I find it very soothing compared to some of his other chatter)

Where it's from matters,
Trees from up north seem a litttle denser and less likly to splinter. Southern trees have a nice grain but seem to be a bit more brittle and stringy.

When I've used up my current supply I'm going to try somethong different.
I got a nice hondorus mahogany plank I'm afriad to touch for fear of ruining it, and I have my eye on some sycamore and sassafras boards on ebay.

That being said, lets just say that I keep my tools sharp and my glue bottle handy.

[hwallen48]

Originally Posted by SinsinnatiKid37

I recently purchased a nice piece of Butternut at the Dayton Show. I thought the wood was pretty and would make a nice carving. I had planned to carve a mountain man. However, when I began my carving I was quick to notice how easily it would split. Now I am wondering if my choice of wood was suitable for detail. Since I have never carved using Butternut, I would like to ask for some advice on carving Butternut. Perhaps another choice of wood might be better.

Thanks for any advice you may give me.

Dave

Dave never had that problem with Butterut, it carved like Bass to me!

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by hwallen48

Dave never had that problem with Butterut, it carved like Bass to me!

I agree. I've done several pieces in butter nut and they all turned out very nice. I haven't done any lately however, as butter nut is more expensive and I don't know if my supplier has it in stock.

[mdallensr]

Some of the butternut at the Dayton show was local, meaning mid-west rather than northern. It's faster growing, which gives it coarser grain and growth rings. It's also softer and more likely to fuzz and splinter. The best butternut is harder and denser, and leaves a nice shine when carved with a sharp gouge or knife. Mike

[Mitchell]

Butternut is great for details, but it will splinter.... There are numberous threads about butternut in comparison to basswood.

See "similar threads" at the bottom of the page or do a search.

[SinsinnatiKid37]

Many "Thanks" to all of you that replied to my concerns about carving Butternut. I have learned a lot and I didn't realize that there was a differance in the wood that was grown in the Mid-West and Northern States. I have since sharpened my knives and am paying more attention to the grain. I think I will be alright. I am still a little worried about carving the facial features. I guess I'll just keep my wood putty and glue handy.

Thanks again for all your comments.

Dave