[Jim-Iowa]

I have been facinated with canes since I was a small boy and watched my great uncle Willard bend saplings so they would grow with the bend in it for making canes.
On the ridges overlooking the river near my home, black locust grows like a noxious weed and landowners apreciate anyone who will cut them.
I have never carved locust and was wondering if there are any drawbacks to consider other than getting stuck with the thorns?

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Don't know about black locust, but the stuff that grows on my place in Oklahoma is HARD. What flavor of locust it is, I have no idea. But, for making canes hard shouldn't be much of a problem I wouldn't think.

[hobo]

Jim the locust around hear will make sparks come out your chain saw no joke.but it sure burns good.

[Jim-Iowa]

Ed there are sure a lot of varieties of locust out there and I've never seen one that was not hard.
Hobo, Yes I recall that it was hard on chains. About 30 yrs ago My brother and I were both temporarily out of work and a farmer over on the ridge wanted to reclaim a pasture where the locust had taken over.
As I recall it had good straight grain and split much like hickory.
The stuff might be hard to carve, but it should hold detail well?

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Black locusts? geez, it would take a lot of those little critters glued end to end to make a cane!

[Jim-Iowa]

Yup! but it would be an interesting way to combine hobbies of entomology & woodcarving!

[Keoma]

I don't think I have Black Locust...but it is a joy to crave! Hard as nails and just as mean, but the end result is smooth and clean. Geez, that sounded nice! I would love to see yourend results! Please be careful breathing the Locust. I don't want to sound like your mother, but everytime I breath it, I get a sinus infection. No joke, and no fun! Have fun!

[Ashbys]

If you carve it before it dries , it works well , a tough wood but good detail, if it is dry , power tools.

Garry