Is Chestnut difficult to carve?

[jillsy]

Good morning All,

My husband's Uncle Dane is a farmer and belongs to some kind of Chestnut Club (preservation maybe?) Anyway, he traveled down to Hershey, PA this past weekend to pick some up at one of their events. They're asking for volunteers to carve a piece they can auction off. Dane's wife Candy, asked if I could do this for them. I told Candy I've never carved Chestnut before; I'd try, but it'll all depend on how hard the wood is.

It seems like it might be much harder than I'm used to (Bass and Butternut). I really want to do this for them, they are such terrific people. They're the type who will do anything for you without ever asking for anything in return. I also hate to let them down by not being able to carve something too hard for my hands and wrists. I can carve whatever I want so even if I keep it basic, that's ok.

Does anyone have experience carving Chestnut? What is your opinion on difficulty level? Dane will be mailing me a few pieces so I'd like to be prepared. Thanks!

[jmischel]

Chestnut will be somewhat harder than basswood. According to this Janka hardness scale, American Chestnut has a hardness of 540. Basswood is typically in the 400 to 450 range, as I recall, and butternet comes in right around 500. The chestnut will be harder, but not really hard like oak or maple.

[Goody]

I have a chestnut beam from an old barn at the shop. We have made a few walking sticks from some of it. Did most of the carving on it with power. Could work it with gouges but was a little tough with a knife.
Goody

[mobjack68]

Man, grab a hold of that with both hands and grab a knife...
You will have a blast carving chestnut. It is a little stringy, if the piece has been in the overhead in a building (exposed to a lot of heat) it will be a little more brittle that what you are used to. It is harder than basswood, but it will surprise you how easy it cuts. It will not hold sharp detail very well and watch out for the wormholes!!!

pictures??
go for it!!

[jillsy]

Thanks for your input. So glad to hear I should be able to carve it. Ew! I hope it doesn't have any wormholes!

I'm expecting a few pieces in the mail. Not sure what I'll carve yet. You now how it is, sometimes you just gotta let the wood speak to you!

I'll post pictures when it's done. I have until Fall, but will probably work on it soon after I get it.

Jillsy

[carver33]

Fresh Chestnut shouldn't be too hard to carve, but my only experience with it was a 100 year old barn beam - slightly harder than granite <g>.

[jmischel]

The wormholes won't be so bad, Jillsy, but carving through a worm might be messy.

[markken5889]

I'm working on a pair of 1/2-size decoys with a piece of old wormy chestnut I bought off of Ebay. It carves great! Like Mobjack says, it can get a little stringy in places if you're not careful, but with a sharp blade you'll be fine. When the blade passes through it leaves the wood looking polished from the fresh cut. It's beautiful stuff and I'm sure you'll love it. If you don't, you can always send me the rest!

Mark