Angus Bull

[chuckbolton]

i have a commission to carve an angus bull. im looking for a black or nearly black (very dark) wood to carve this in. i dont really want to paint it-- i dont want to try and carve it in ebony either-- im told its too hard and probably not a good choice to carve in-id like to leave it as natural as possible, color wise. - ive done several other bovine and equine figures and im not happy with the painting-- ( i realize that is another issue, i just dont like the painting ive done on horses and cattle). i may end up with walnut or butternut and stain it darker-- any other ideas?

thanks

chuck

[Claude]

Black Walnut - It's naturally pretty dark, but a little stain will make it darker. This is a carving I did recently for my grandson. It's black walnut, with no stain - just a couple coats of water-based varnish on the bare wood. The end grain is a bit darker, but the overall piece is quite dark even without stain.

Claude

[Larry Marshall]

Have you considered carving from oak and then ebonizing it? You can get quite a black, natural wood finish with that method.

[Bill]

Chuck
My choice would be Myrtle wood, I hve used it for serval projects and
when you put an oil finish it turns dark brown with some black, really
a pretty wood.
Bill

[chuckbolton]

thanks to those who have responded--
larry, i have to ask -what is ebonize, im sure im not the only one who hasnt heard of this-- and bill, i will have to check out myrtle wood-- ive never heard of it- but can check some local stores to see if its available in kc.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Just use an aniline dye. It will make any wood as black as a pirates eye patch.

[Bill]

Chuck
I don't think you will find myrtle wood local, but it is available from
itsaburl.com I have been buying wood from them for many years and
have always had good luck.
Bill

[scooter]

In the latest issue of <another> magazine, there is an instruction set on carving a bull. It was done in cherry, and finished with paste wax. Definitely not dark, but it was quite striking just the same. PM me for the name of the other magazine.

S~