Hi, has anyone out there carved Black Walnut? I assume it is hard and I'm wondering if it is worthwhile. My brother-in-law has some in his garage.

Pearl,
Black Walnut is beautiful to carve it is a little harder than most woods but takes detail extreamly well. Just make sure that your tools are razor sharp and I think that you will enjoy it very much.
Colin

[owlhause]

Hi Pearl. Black Walnut is wonderful to work with, I'd give it a try.
It finishes beautifuly with any type of oil finish.

Yes black walnut is hard and you need sharp tools but the reward is well worth the time and work. Some of my nicest stylized pieces are in black walnut. Oil finish really brings out the grain and the richness in the wood.
Good luck, Pam

Don't listen to these guys!! Black walnut is bad for you and your tools!!! The best thing to do is package it up and send it to me and I will get rid of it for you.

Black waknut is a beautiful wood to work with. While it is hard it holds detail very well and when finished with oil has a very deep, warm color. Very few woods look as nice IMO.

[owlhause]

And don't you dare paint it!!!

[Kenny_S]

Amen on not painting it. Ought to be against the law t paint black walnut, walnut, butternut, etc.

You all have prompted me to pick up a piece of black walnut that has been sitting in my wood pile. It doesn have a wonderful grain and color. May we both have wonderful sucess with it Pearl.
Barb

[nadcarves]

Finishing black walnut.....NEVER use a white wax on it,each open pore will collect it and look white..The rule ,never paint walnut....of course you can,and cherry too..For accent.How about a red tailed hawk in cherry.Head painted ,fade to natural color..A vase in walnut,the stems,leaves,flowers colored since the wood was too dark. for the size...By the way, Walnut is Gods wood. Once you do the first carving, you will want to do another. Walnut makes the carving much better than it really is..Since it is dark,small carvings should be relatively simple..I have a garage full of it. The garage is also where the wolf sleeps............Never use a white wax on Walnut, and NEVER put rules on what can or may be done.......nad

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I have some wolfbane and garlic! lol