Paulownia-good for detail?

[Whimsical Woodworks]

Sorry if I missed a thread on this subject. I am heading out the door to help a friend cut up a HUGE old paulownia tree that blown down in a recent storm. I know the Japanese consider it a holy wood, but is it good for detail carving. My friend is a 35 yr decoy carver and loves the stuff for his birds. I would like to carve the fuedin families chess set and was wondering if anyone has experience using this wood for such detail work. I know it is soft. I have a limited budget (never bought or carved basswood) and have mainly carved hiking sticks and starting on pine knots. I would love to have some free wood to work if I am not wasting my time.

Any comments welcome.
Jerry in MD

[Ron T]

Hi Jerry,

Check my thread. I carved and Indian. The wood is not as bad as I thought when I first started it.

I'm carving a wood spirit now.
Paulownia stick WIP

[fpace]

I have quite a bit of it and do like to carve it... it takes some getting used to... it can have some soft spots in it that wil unexpectantly pop up on you and the grain can be unpredictable and change on you in some pieces. It is very pretty when finished and I like to leave it natural with tung oil and or feed n' wax with Deft satin spray. You are correct about it having a spiritual connotation in Japan.. it was harvested to extinction there for furniture and veneer. Almost every Japanese home has something made with Paulownia.

[Ron T]

Hi Jerry,

After my previous post to you, I worked on my Paulownia stick and have to say, it holds detail reasonably well. I finished the wood spirit but was fairly satisfied with it.

My only complaint is you do have to be careful, especially when carving against the grain or when using a gouge or v tool. You do get some chipping out unless you stop cut.

[markken5889]

I agree with Ron T and Fred. I've used it for a swan deke, posted a few months back. It was kinda tricky to work with, even though it carves very easily. Good luck with the chess set!

Mark

[Whimsical Woodworks]

Thanks for the info. My buddy has to dump trailer loaded with the stuff. He only uses it for bird/duck bodies. I think I will try a few easy pieces....like the 5 minute santas and see what happens.

Jerry

[Ron T]

Hi Jerry,

If you can get some sticks, do it. You will not be disappointed. If you don't like them you can always get rid of them but if they get dumped, you wo 't be able to get them.

[bobbo]

I love Paulownia! I use it to carve little Trolls, small birds like Wrens, and Dalecarlian and Fiord horses a la Harley Refsal. I Get a bit nervous around beaks & ears, but just get extra careful. Finishes well and paints OK. Easy on knife blades and gets quick results. I use scalpel blades for detail. Love the stuff!

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I received a santa roughout from "Goody" on here of paulownia...it was fun to carve, I really liked it....it's the only paulownia I have carved but I would suggest get a bunch of it LOL.....oh, and a "sharp" knife its soft so you need a really sharp edge.....imo


Which reminds me....."Where is Goody?" Haven't seen a post from him for a long time????

[Kenny_S]

Ditto to what HIHO said. I liked it also.