A tough bit of wood

[cherrydam01]

Hi,

I'm attempting to carve a simple piece into a bangle for my girlfriend.

I have a bit that someone gave to me but not sure what type it is. It is very hard, it might be walnut? I've attached a few photos of it. Can anyone identify the species by these pics?

Anyway it's really tough to carve, I’ve used a rasp on it and my knife but it is not easy! I have made a dent in the middle as you can see and not even started on whittling the outer face yet. Done all by hand – maybe need a vice to really get into it.

Anyone have any tips of getting through this rock.....or will it just be hard work and patience?

Thanks

[cannuckcarver]

Looks like the heart of an Oak but don't quote me on it....You will find the answer to your question soon....Lots f good carvers on here.

[Ron T]

Hi Cherrydam,

I don't know what kind of wood that is but I work some pretty hard woods, like Apricot, Persimmon, Maple. I just keep at it with mostly power. A roughing bit in a Dremel or other power rotary tool should help a lot.

[Smokey]

Osage Orange (Hedge ) (Macrora pomifera)

[cannuckcarver]

Originally Posted by Smokey

Osage Orange (Hedge ) (Macrora pomifera)

Real nice website....love the pics. Moose and Cariboo....

[Mike L Hasler]

Smokey got here first with the right answer, also known as Bodart, and hedge apple.

[CarverFromNoWhere]

That first picture makes me think it is white Ash (Fraxinus Americana) AKA American Ash not Osage Orange, it's likely Osage Orange but the pictures are not that clear and don't show that much color.

I would say just take your time and be patient otherwise a power AKA rotary carver would help. Since it's for your girlfriend it would be a labor of love.

I have carved both Osage Orange and White Ash they are both tough woods, I consider the Osage a alot easier on the tools and a bit softer, White Ash at least the stuff growing around here is packed full of silica and iron.
Carl

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Would the 50 % water 50 % alcohol mixture help soften it up ?? I know it works on bass wood.

Dave

[mike410]

I agree that it looks like osage orange and if so, is prone to cracking and power tools is going to be your best bet or it's going to long and arduous to carve. I might also throw in that it could be a piece of pressure treated pine which is also tough and dulls tools quickly. Either way...why punish yourself? Lots of wood laying around that is much easier to work. Good luck!
Mike

[J.Richard]

Hi, first post!
Since the topic is hard woods, I'd like to ask about using chip knives on hard woods. What would be a better or best knives to use to carve really hard woods? I have a project with Maple and I don't know what use for tools. Thanks and sorry if I hijacked the thread.