Has anyone ever carved Royal Paulownia

[Colin-Partridge]

Just got back from Philly while I was there a gentleman who knew I was a carver asked me if I had ever carved Royal Paulownia. I had never heard of it let alone carved it. So he told me he had to cut one down from his back yard and had a couple of sticks left if I wanted them. I stopped by his house and he gave me two sticks about six feet long and about three inches in diameter. Unfortunatly too thick for hiking sticks. He said that the Chinese used it to do very delicate carvings. I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with it. ie can it be carved with power or knife and chisel and ok before someone says it I wont try carving it with a chainsaw.
Colin

[Prairiejohn]

Colin;

Since you ask, Yes I have!
Some time back around 2003, or there abouts, I ran across an article about Paulounia being used as a carving wood. Long story short, I made contact with a grower in Maryland,and worked a swap in which he supplied the kiln dried wood and I carved him two versions of Santa which he took and displayed at the National Growers Convention. Apparently it turned out well on both sides,as I was happy and while he never praised my work,he never complained either.

As for the wood, I found it to carve much like Butternut. It tends to have the pronounced grain similar to Butternut,though much lighter and softer,as it is an extremely fast growing wood.While it seemed to tend to splinter more,that could be controlled by modifying technique as you would in any other wood with similar problems. It sanded out well, and took finish like other good carving woods.

All in all, a good experience. Should you wish, you can see the carvings at
PictureTrail - Gallery. I don't really remember which album, but it's there somewhere.

Hope this helps,

John Bird

ps: Rats, URL didn't print as I expected ..... Try Picturetrail.com, keyword: prairiejohn

[Mitchell]

There are some that carve it often. I've tried it once and found it too soft.

Here's another thread: Paulownia or what?

[Ron T]

Hi Colin,

I've carved a couple of Paulownia sticks and really like it. It seems to hold detail quite well. The only problem I have is it is a softer wood and I don't know how well it will stand up to rough hiking. As a strolling stick it will do very well.

Here's my thread. Paulownia stick finished

[markken5889]

Hi Colin,

I've carved it too, and had results similar to what Prariejohn mentions. It's soft, but the grain tends to tear out if you're not very careful. I posted a swan decoy I'd carved a couple years ago. It's in here somewhere if you want to look it up. The deke has held up well since, and I still have a few leftover pieces laying around.

Mark