Carving End Grain

[Vanmack]

When I carve basswood end grain with a very sharp tool it seems to develop a shine on the wood. I understand that this is a good thing. But if I go back and try to carve the same slick end grain areas a day or two later it seems to be much harder and difficult to cut. Is there a scientific reason for this or is it just my imagination? For instance, if I shape the top of a character head with a fairly flat sweep and try later to cut the hair lines in with a v-tool or small gouge the wood seems much harder than it did on the original cuts. (The v-tool works fine on end grain that hasn't been cut before.) Maybe the end grain gets so slick from the first cuts that the second cuts can't get a bite?
Thanks,
Van

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

End grain is a pain, I sometimes spray on a 50% water 50% alcohol mix. That should help.

Dave

[arfer1943]

Why waste the alcohol. Water on it's own works. Leave it to soak in for 5 minutes.

[mdallensr]

Forget the water. Drink the alcohol. Everything will seem better! Mike

[Whittled Thumb]

You use alcahol to keep it from swelling. Its so soft it will blow up like a baloon. I use alcahol but I don't like the end grain either. its like a friggen rock! CARVING A ROCK!

[Dan S]

I think the reason you are having problems is that the wood is drying out after a couple of days. End grain has all those nifty pores to suck out moisture. I have theat problem here in Vegas. Our humidity has been known to get to 3%. My wood dries out in very short order. You might want to think about keeping your carving in a ziplock bag when you are not working on it.

Good luck,
Dan

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Originally Posted by arfer1943

Why waste the alcohol. Water on it's own works. Leave it to soak in for 5 minutes.

Not the drinking type of alcohol but the type you buy in Home Depot.

Dave

[cgm]

I totaly agree with Dan!
Carl

[Cottonwood]

Dan's suggestion is right on. When I put a carving away at night I put it away in a zip lok bag with a moist paper towel and put it in the refrigerator. In the summer things can begin to grow if you don't refrigerate.

[Vanmack]

Thanks for the help. I keep my basswood blocks in an enclosed carport which has no a/c and is rather damp. I have been keeping pieces that I have started on in the house with A/C and low humidity. I like the wet towel and frig' method (also put some alcohol on the towel.). It seems to help considerably. Dried out end grain cuts about like white flint.
Thanks,
Van