[woodtrapper]

I recently met an 84 year old retired plummer who is a wood carver.He carves nothing but ironwood.If any of you out there know how hard ironwood is,well lets just say it is not the most favorite but has a very nice grain.He sells his carvings all over the world he says and said he wants to sell his business.He invited me over to look at his carvings and has 3000 in stock.It should be a very interesting visit and looking foward to it since I have not met many carvers here in Billings,Mt.I will keep everyone posted.Hopefully this will take place tomarrow evening.I do know all his ironwood comes from Mexico.He buys it by the cord for $1500.00, Davy.

[K Karver]

Yikes, Ironwood. What does he use to carve it? What kinds of carvings does he do? Pictures would be great, woodtrapper. Looking forward to hearing about the outcome.

John K Karver

[Iowa Carver]

I wonder if he is referring to desert ironwood ? DI is beautiful.. I love to turn it and it makes a beautiful pen. It's a fairly oily wood and can be difficult to turn at times but the wood is so striking. Bet his carvings are beautiful.

Corey

[Jim-Iowa]

That's certainly interesting, I would be interested in what wood he's calling Ironwood. As best I can tell there are many regions of the country that has species of wood reffered to as Iron Wood.
In this part of the country Hedge is often reffered to as Iron Wood.

A pretty apt description since you can sometimes see sparks coming off the chain of a chainsaw when cutting it. Yes it is hard, but is also very water resistant,I don't think it is native to Iowa. I believe farmers settling in Iowa brought it in and planted groves of it to use for fenceposts. I have never carved it, but made handles for an electric skillet when the wife broke hers. Those handles have proven bulletproof for over 20 yrs. I also made grips for a SA pistol that were quite nice.
I really should get a few pieces and try carving them.

[Iowa Carver]

Yeah, you can really dink up a nice axe with our ditch iron wood huh Jim! Since he is referring to mexico I am wondering if he is referring to desert ironwood. The stuff I am referring to can be from a gold to a beautify dark wood with gold swirls in it as shown below. Gorgeous stuff.... I have paid 10.00 for a 3/4 x 3/4 x 6 inch pen blank.
ironwood blanks

Corey

[tnartist05]

Thats going to be something to see Davy,all of his iron wood carvings. You remember that hard wood you gave me,ones they use for decks in the new homes in NC?? It was so hard it would break a saw blade just trying to cut it into. What type of wood was it,sure you told me but Ive forgotten.

Keep us posted about the mans carvings,take some picts and post them here! Talk with you soon,your Tn mtn,carving bud, Forrest

[K Karver]

Corey, that sure is some beautiful wood. Thanks for the link.

John K Karver

The stuff I am referring to can be from a gold to a beautify dark wood with gold swirls in it as shown below. Gorgeous stuff.... I have paid 10.00 for a 3/4 x 3/4 x 6 inch pen blank.
ironwood blanks

Corey

[Jim-Iowa]

I got to thinking I should mention that the Iron Wood we refer to in Iowa as "Hedge" is more commonly know throughout the country as "Osage Orange".
I keep forgetting that common local lingo,is often not at all common outside ones own region?

[mdallensr]

I lived in Mexico for a couple of years, and bought some of those carvings. They are incredibly hard and heavy, and you can't touch them with an edge tool. They are power carved, and most are sanded smooth, with very little carved detail. Beautiful wood that takes a glass smooth finish. I have a couple of locust trees in my yard, in Ohio, and locals refer to it as ironwood. It takes a carbide blade on a chainsaw to cut it, but it's not true ironwood. Mike

[woodtrapper]

Forest, that piece I gave you was ironwood from brazil.I did a big electrical job and cabbaged about 20 4foot chuncks out of the dumpster.It is used for decking material and last a lifetime.You have to pre drill it just to run screws through it.When you drop it on the ground it almost sounds like glass breaking.I have set up a visit for this coming Monday morning.I have seen a lot of African style carvings out of ironwood as well.Hopefully I will find out the secret about carving this unique wood.Davy