Working with green wood

[Twig Carver]

The current issue shows how to carve a jelly spreader from green maple. I have made several from maple, as well as sassafrass and ash. In his new book The little book of whittling he has several items that I have made. My question is: Will spray lacquer work or is bowl finish obtainable fromWoodcraft needed? Also it suggest that dry wood be used to make the whistle. My grandkids want one now. How dry does the maple need to be to make a good whistle. Great book. I am making things as quick as I can.

[BobD]

I'll give Chris a call today and see what he says.


Bob

[BobD]

Here's what Chris said:

1. Finishing--he leaves most of his carvings natural, but if you want to finish it, and use if to spread jelly, you should use a food-safe finish or non-toxic finish.

2. The Whistle can be made from a dowel or broomstick if you don't have seasoned wood available. You can also "hasten" the drying of the wood in the microwave--just be careful. The reason Chris suggests dry wood for the whistle is that if you drill into green wood, the hole "feathers" and you don't get a clean hole.

Bob Duncan
Wood Carving Illustrated

[Twig Carver]

Thanks. I love the book. Will be sharing it with my Woodcarving Merit Badge Scouts at Summer Camp next year.

[Clifford_Parker]

I haven't done spoons or spreaders yet but have done bowls and cutting boards and used mineral oil for sealing and protecting them.

[Twig Carver]

I have made aa variety of the items in the book and will be selling them at a Handicraft Show in Indy this week. The feathering does happen. I let it set a day or two and made a roll out of 220 sandpaper and inserted it and twisted. It smoothers it out quite nicely. As to a finish on the jelly spreader and other food handling items I am using a General Finishes wood product available from Woodcraft. It is not allowed in Calif and has serious usage comments about vapor and skin contact. I used rubber gloves, a small piece of cloth, it was a quick job. It is safe for food when dry. Provided a nice finish sililar to the spray lacquer. I tried Ash and Magnolia but they have a larger pith than maple. Would work for whistles but doesn't look as nice as maple for spreaders etc.