need some help - Butternut stain

[Mryooper]

Hello,
I was wondering whay kind of stain would be good for butternut?

[Canopener]

Mryooper,
I am still playing around with that block of butternut I had problems with. It was a 4x4x12 that I cut into 6 smaller projects. The problem was that it was a heart cut, shaded dark and kind of dry so I learned a few things. First was that if I used BLO it would soak it up in a hurry, the wood will get darker quick and if you add anything like burnt umber oil paint it will get darker still. Having said that, the wood looks fantastic, it just got a bit darker than I expected.
HiHo did a nice bear and kept it much lighter. I liked that effect also.
I think next time I might try natural Danish oil.
By the way, any recomendations on suppliers?
Good luck, it is interesting wood.
Jim

[Mryooper]

I had two pieces , but have promised them to another person. I myself have none left , but can give you a phone# for some 1" in mixed widths. Last I knew he had about 700 bdft of butternut with another group of logs to cut.
If you are interested I can PM you the phone # as well as the location.

[squbrigg]

I'd hesitate to use "any" colour or stain on Butternut. The natural colour and grain are so beautiful with just an oil applied, I'd not want to cover it up.

Bob

[Mryooper]

Originally Posted by squbrigg

I'd hesitate to use "any" colour or stain on Butternut. The natural colour and grain are so beautiful with just an oil applied, I'd not want to cover it up.

Bob

ok here is a real stupid question .....
Oil? what kind do you suggest...?this is a very nice piece of Butternut. Heck of the thing it was going for scrap .......nice big cant and was on its way to the chipper.

[Mark Gargac]

Dont use any,it makes the wood to dark,making it difficult to see details that you have carve. I spray mine with satin lacquer(Deft) let dry over night and apply a natural satin wax and buff with a soft cloth, this will really bring the natural color out. Take a look at Red Bear(Western) on my web site,that's the fiinish I used on him.

[squbrigg]

I use a Varathane Clear Oil Finish, it is an oil not a varnish. A couple of coats and wipe off the excess, let set 24 hrs. I then put a paste wax on to finish it, but that depends on how detailed it is, lots of detail stuff, wax builds up in the cracks and crevasses. Oil alone works fine too.

Bob

[mdallensr]

Let that beautiful wood show through the finish! I've used Deft and other clear, satin finishes. I've used tung oil finish, followed with clean Bri wax, with good results. Stain will be difficult to control and will hide more than enhance the grain.

[Mryooper]

I will have to get the product I used on this , but it was reasonably priced I jumped lol DEFT looked ok , but it was way out of my price for now. Below is the final product.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I used the minwax sanding sealer and then Deft on the bear.....makes a nice finish......they have a "buttery" feel, much like the basswood does when its finished the same way