[Paul_Guraedy]

There have been several threads recently that have carving butternut as a commonality. A few months ago, I made some inquiries about purchasing some large pieces for a mantle project. Nothing was available in the sizes I needed. More importantly several former suppliers said that butternut is so hard to come by now that they no longer fool with it. I was told to seek out the small saw mills and see if they would do a special cut for me. But this person also said, “I would not do it if it were my mill. So far, the price has not gone up; but, it is much easier to sell smaller carving blocks, shipping is a dream and the demand is increasing daily for these pieces�.
Isn’t it ironic that the wood once known as “poor man’s black walnut� may soon become more sought after than the species used as a reference? Butternut is being threatened by the butternut canker to the extent that there is a real possibility of it going the way of the chestnut in a large part of its range. I will hate to lose this wonderful carving wood.
This peaked my interest, for several reasons, and I started doing a little research. I called several wood suppliers (and visited a couple) making inquiries about the impact of wood carvers on their business. They all said the same thing, cavers are becoming an increasing source of income. One business owner I visited summed it up with, “ Used to be that I supplied mainly cabinet makers. But, those carving blocks you see for sale are the butts of pieces that were mostly cut up for carving and turning blocks. I make sure I keep plenty of 12/4 and up to cut into blocks. Used to be that I did not even carry tupelo, now look at it (a long section of many sizes) and I kept a little basswood, but not much, and now I have a whole rack of it. Look out front and you will see that I keep a supply of burrs, carving tools and burning tips. I don’t carve; but, I’m sure learning what they like and to talk ‘carving’ to them.�
I have got to admit it is a lot nicer carving today than it was when I started in 1980!

[whitecree]

Gee, I wish your store was here. Local lumber store "can't be bothered" with carrying hobby wood, nor will they attempt to order it in unless they get a hefty surcharge/profit. Jerks.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Paul, you might consider planting some butternut, you have the acreage! I would if I had the room... and Whitecree....order your wood online...some good reasonable suppliers out there!