Carving Olivewood

[Howie]

Howdy folks,

Lee Valley has some Olivewood blanks (for pens, pepper mills and bowls) that I was thinking of picking up for whittling. I tried one o ftheir other hardwoods and after nearly destroying my shoulder sawing it and almost snapping a knife trying to carve it, I'm not sure if I should bother. Does anyone have any experience with it?

Thanks!

[Claude]

In my opinion, carving olive is close to carving a rock. I've made a few spoons with it, as it has a fabulous grain, but for me it's strictly a power-carving wood. I bought some 2 x 2 x 12 inch pieces at my local hardwood dealer - can't remember the exact price, but think it was on the order of $12 each.

Claude

[carvingbarn]

Olive is a wonderful turning wood. It makes some really nice pens. It is a hard wood to carve. But I have seen some really great looking pieces form Olive wood.

[idigjars]

My Grandson turned an olive wood pen for me and said it wasn't too bad to work with. That's all I know about olive wood. Good luck with your projects. Safe carving. Paul

[LBlake]

I've carved olivewood with palm tools, and it's definitely hard - I think it would be really difficult with just a knife. That said, it has a wonderful, waxy feel, and nice close grain, so albeit hard, its other carving qualities were, I felt, ideal. It's pretty, and smells good, too. The grain is spectacular, so it can compete with detail.
How's that for a completely wish-washy answer?

[markken5889]

Hi Howie,

I've done it, but you need to keep your blade really sharp and put alot of elbow grease into it. You'll get a workout, but it'll be well worth it. Start with something small to see how it works for you. For me, now, I think I'll leave the olivewood for turning!

Mark

[armon]

Hello
I collected last year in Italy olive wood. There it is made ​​in the spring in the fields fire.
I carved a tealight. A Holy Family. Unfortunately I was not paying attention. The candle should have been placed further forward.
The wood is beautiful and very hard. By the grain are more modern works.

Message Armon
(Google translation)

(I wanted to attach images, but knows not how. I can not speak English.)

[armon]

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[markken5889]

that's a beautiful piece, Armon! Thanks for sharing your pictures.

Mark

[Claude]

Beautiful carving, Armon!