Diamond Willow

[Colin-Partridge]

I have heard that diamond willow is great to carve. Have any of you ever carved it? If so is it better to carve it wet or leave it to dry first. Also does anyone know of a source of diamond willow blanks preferably in Canada as shipping across the boarder can be quite costly. Even if you know a good supplier in the US I am still interested.Thanks

Colin
http://www.geocities.com/partridge_ch

[AlArchie]

Colin, depending on what part of Canada you are in, you might be able to find your own, if you have friends with property in damp, open, lightly wooded areas. Â*It grows pretty much all across the border area with the US up as far Hudson's Bay. Â*Check with your local highway authorities if you find it along right-of-ways. You'll find it regularly interspersed with tag alders. Â*Quite often they will allow you to cut it, as it is invasive on ROW's, and they have to remove it anyway. Local logging operations may also be willing to let you cut. Â*There are a lot of options around that can save you some money, and part of the charm of DW carving is getting out in the woods and finding the 'best' sticks to work on.

Asking a forester for Beb Willow, may get you the answers you need, as this is the 'official' name. Â*If you don't know what it looks like, it grows in vase shaped clumps, like a bunch of flowers placed in a vase. Â*Quite often there are a lot of dead and broken branches, as this is not a particularly healthy type of tree. Â*You also have to watch for insect larvae infestations. Â*Just peel a strip of bark and you can tell pretty easy if they are there. Â*You may also spot their exit holes in the bark.

My friends that carve it a lot,say that the best time to get it is in the spring because the bark comes off more easily then. I've got some from over this winter that seems to peel easy enough, but it doesn't come off in strips as well as the spring cut wood. Â*Most folks I know peel it right away, then park it in the rafters for about 3-6 months to dry before carving. Â*Ends can be sealed with wax or left plain; small sticks don't seem, to check too badly.

Just as a matter of 'nice to know' information,the diamond patterns are caused by fungal infections due to the areas that it grows in. Â*Youll also find a lot of moss or lichen growing on the bark, which doesn't affect the wood, but makes a mess when carving the bark off :P :P :P .

There are quite few suppliers around; just runa search for diamond willow or wood carving supplies. Â*I'd still recomend a 'diamond hunt' if you've got the time and can get around OK.

Al

Colin
Try this site http://www.itascawoodproducts.com/willow.html
Cheers
Ric

[Bandaid]

Check out www.engr.usask.ca/~reg772/
You'll find a bunch more info. on the topic if you type in diamond willow on google. 8)

if you do have to ship from the U.S. try this:

Krantz Wood Sales
16748 Stanford Street
Forest Lake, MN. 55025
651-464-5632 (evenings)


carving and specialty woods
*basswood
*butternut
*walking sticks
*laminated panels
*ovals and rounds
*bark on boards

I picked up a lot of basswood and a few walking sticks from them when they were at the carving show in town. the wood is cut in the winter when the sap is down and then they kiln dry at a very low temp for an extended period of time, unlike a lot of other suppliers who kiln dry it as fast as they can. it is very nice to carve. the walking sticks are green with the bark on. I think the ones i bought were around 1 to 2 inches diameter for 3.50 to $5.50 depending on the length. havn't carved them yet, wont be dry until june or july, but they all have about 20 diamonds on them

PaPa

Another good U.S. source is Gene Bremmer
http://diamondwillowwood.tripod.com/

Good whittlin, Cliff
Charles City, Iowa
http://cliffordparker.tripod.com

[Colin-Partridge]

Thanks a million for all the information on diamond willow I love this notice board, boy if you want info on anything you people are sure helpfull. I cant wait until spring to go out and look for this diamond willow. I agree it will be very rewarding looking for that special piece. Again thank you again for the responses I will also be ordering some on line there are some great prices for the blanks.
Colin

I haven't carved any Diamond Willow, but I have carved Willow from Willow Trees. I have no idea how close to each other these woods are, but Willow is beautiful to carve...can be carved green and doesn't crack when it's drying. I grab any willow branches I can get my hands on.

Teri

[lorax]

I was given a piece and carved a series of yawning woodspirits in it. The diamonds made the mouths. It was years ago, but it is still in my basement keeping me company. I will get some pics of itand post it later tonight. I found to carve almost like Holly.

[AlArchie]

Sounds like a neat idea, can't wait to see some pics!

Al