[barnswallospirit]

Good morning everyone!
Ya know how some things in life are just supposed to happen and we have no idea why? Well, I have wanted to learn how to carve since I was a little girl (am now 54). My grandfather would "wittle" on the tool shed steps and I was mystified by what he could make with his knife and a piece of wood. He came from Czechoslovakia with my Great Grandmother in the early 20s and bought our fifth generation family farm in Central PA. I now live on that farm. One of the first things he did was to plant two Walnut trees. I have pampered and babied those trees over the years and last night, a wind storm brought one of them down. I am looking at the tree right now and I swear I can hear it crying. I need to carve some of this tree, into what, I have no idea or how I have no idea. All I know is that it is very, very important to me. I want to save the wood and finally learn how to make some beautiful things out of this fallen tree that is so much a part of my family history. I have gone to a few websites and they all say "stay away from Walnut if you are a first time carver". That doesn't deter me in the least - - I am thinking that I will try and see if I can take down some of the thinner branches and carve some walking sticks and then save the larger trunk parts for later if I still have the desire. Any help that you wonderful people can offer would be much appreciated. I really feel the need to carry this art on in my family. Everytime I bake a pie with fruit from our orchard, I use a rolling pin that my Grandfather carved for his Mom, my Great Grandmother. We have a lovely farm and out of all the antiquities, and items, that rolling pin means more than all the rest combined. Thank you in advance for any help you can offer. I have a small woodcarving set that I bought years ago, how good it is, I have no idea. I hope you all have a lovely day and I am glad I found you all!
......Barnswallospirit

[Just Carving]

Welcome Barnswallospirit!

Walnut huh? Well, I got some from the lumberyard last month and it is hard--but carveable. Try a piece of scrap and see for yourself. But personally, I would start out with something a little more manageable like basswood or butternut. You need to understand the value of super sharp tools, how wood grain works, and carving techniques. Those things alone can take a bit--but again--doable with patience and time. Last, you'll need some good tools--not necessarily the best--but good quality and they need to be super sharp. Learning to sharpen tools and how to maintain them is probably a carver's best asset. Safety is a big thing in carving since the tools we use are so sharp. Getting a kevlar carving glove is a smart move. Even with the glove you can still get cut. So, you can imagine what would happen without the glove.

Spend some time searching and reading here, and you'll learn a lot. If you get stuck, don't hesitate to ask questions. People here are very helpful--especially your fellow Pennsylvanians!

Bob L

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I don't particularly like to carve the hard woods, but that said, I have made a few things out of walnut and cherry, mostly handles for carving knives.....I would not shy away or be afraid of the walnut, just use good sense, especially use a face mask.....and watch where you put the shavings and dust! Find a good logger around that can cut the tree up for you, store it in a protected area up off the ground or floor and "sticker" it with stripes of wood to separate the levels...you are in no particular hurry I think, that way it can dry and you have time to decide what you want to do. Lots of things you can use it for down to small pieces for pens! Enjoy....I love walnut and cherry, but prefer to carve basswood and butternut (oh don't forget lathe turning of the walnut as well!)

[squbrigg]

With a whole tree down, you have a wonderful opportunity to make a whole host of wonderful carvings. Walnut is a wonderful wood to carve, hard just takes a little longer. The finish is well worth the extra time, it finishes just beautifully.

The tree needs to be cut up and the sizes sorted and stacked for drying. The ends of the wood should be sealed so they don't check as they dry. Limbs will be good for walking sticks, kitchen utensils, and furnature. The larger pieces can be made into billits for larger carvings, platters, serving trays, pieces of full size furnature or assorted larger carvings. You can get lots of rolling pins from that tree!

Keep one good piece to do a carving of your Grandfather!

Bob

[Ron T]

Welcome Barnswallospirit!

It's nice to hear your story and the commitment you've made to the legacy of your Grandfather and the Walnut tree. It must be a terrible blow to have lost it after all that nurturing.

As far as carving goes, I carve hardwoods even though I'm disabled and it is difficult. However, I carve it because I'm self taught and started on the hard stuff before I knew better and now I like it. It tends to hold details better and, if finished well, will be here long after we're gone. Also, I carve mostly sticks and the harder woods tend to make sturdier sticks (though not always).

Try to read and absorb as much as you can and you will see "there is more than one way to skin a cat." Each carver approaches things differently as each carver's goal is different. A lot of this has to do with the resources available to us, including time and finances.

Just taking the first step, which you have already done, is what counts.

Good luck. This is the right place for help.

[Robert Cahill]

You have gotten a lot of good advice and while you are waiting for the wood you might considering carving a couple of lovespoons they really come out nice in walnut

[barnswallospirit]

Hello everyone ~
I am overwhelmed at the responses I have received to my post! Thank you all so very much for your help and kindness. My wonderful Mennonite neighbors came over and cut down the tree for me and now all I have to do is stack what is left. I will be sure to do what everyone has advised on that process. They took some wood as their payment, as they would not take one red cent from me for doing the job (a homemade cheesecake is in the oven now and I will suprise them later with it). God has blessed me with wonderful neighbors! I have saved all the smaller limbs and a few larger pieces, so hopefully, I will get up enough nerve to start a carving. I am thinking a walking stick might be my first thing I attempt. I have a 92 year old Dad who I am the sole caretaker of 24/7 out here in PA and it might be a present for him. Thanks again and once all the animals are taken care of tonight, I am going to sit down and start reading everything I can on your wonderful website! New friendship hugs to all....
Barnswallospirit

[slather]

Welcome Barnswallowspirit , your story about your forebearers sure touched my heart , my story is much the same.
you are certainly lucky to have Mennonites for neighbors ,they are super helpful people , we have some large colonys of them near us here in Ontatio.when ever I need some hard wood for biulding furniture etc. I go see them, what I would add is that they always have a saw mill some where near by in their community and for very Little they would cut the rough logs into dimensioned lumber for you. Some four by four , six by four etc. makes for some good carving stock .

[mark yundt]

Walnut,,,it's a beautiful wood to carve. Personally one of my favorites. And it finishes up wonderfully.

[Keoma]

hello! I am so glad to meet you here! You'll find lots of helpfull folks here! If I can ever be of any help please just give me a holler!