Butternut carving

[Randy]

This is a carving I did for a family member a few years back. I had not hat a picture and she sent me one. Looking back you can see all the mistakes. But they like it.

IMG_2259 (4).jpg

[pallin]

Is the butternut carving mounted on a backer board of some other wood?

[John Smith]

looks great to me, Randy.
the first time I saw Butternut carved was way, way back in the day with Rick Bütz carving a family crest.
I've never seen the wood in person, and have always wanted to try it at least once.
I think you did an excellent job with it.

[Randy]

Is the butternut carving mounted on a backer board of some other wood?

Hi Pallin . Yes it is on a walnut back board.

[Randy]

looks great to me, Randy.
the first time I saw Butternut carved was way, way back in the day with Rick Bütz carving a family crest.
I've never seen the wood in person, and have always wanted to try it at least once.
I think you did an excellent job with it.

Thanks John. I like carving butternut it has gotten more expensive. It carves well and finishes nicely. I have made a number of walkinstick toppers with it.

[joepaulbutler]

Mistakes???, I would say character enhancers. I've got some butternut, but it is really full of wormholes.

[Randy]

Mistakes???, I would say character enhancers. I've got some butternut, but it is really full of wormholes.

Much of what you get today does have holes Butternut is threatened in many areas with a disease. They are trying to find a solution but I have not read of any luck yet.

[Nebraska]

It is good to look back so you can appreciate where you are.

[Arthur C.]

Much of what you get today does have holes Butternut is threatened in many areas with a disease. They are trying to find a solution but I have not read of any luck yet.

Yeah, I've got several pieces of butternut on hand and they are all wormy...not too bad, just have to work with it. Beautiful wood, though.

[tioga paddler]

I'm not sure what mistakes you are talking about Randy, I sure don't see any. Job well done !
It's just a great piece of art that I'm sure your family enjoys.

[dave.keele]

Randy.... Nice carving!

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Not wishing to hi-jack this thread, but would like to comment on butternut, for those who have never tried it.

I have carved several single-piece roses, most in basswood but several in butternut. A basswood rose takes me 40 hours to complete, while the butternut ones take 50 hours. Butternut is more porous, making it less forgiving than basswood. When I do the details, I have to stop and think about grain direction before each cut. If I start to go against the grain in basswood, my tools usually dig in a bit and tells me "turn around, stupid!" I do that with butternut (it doesn't talk to me) and the piece breaks off or chips out. I can also get basswood thinner, as I can use light to see thin spots.... not so with butternut.

Basswood is easier for me to carve, but... oh... the grain of butternut... Beautiful!

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[tioga paddler]

Dave Outstanding job. I'm trying to improve my leaves so I have been doing lots of research on carving leaves and Dave those are some of the best I have every seen, bar none. Well done!

[Randy]

[QUOTE=dave.keele;n1208108]Randy.... Nice carving!

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Not wishing to highjack this thread, but would like to comment on butternut, for those who have never tried it.


Outstanding work Dave. I agree, I love butternut grains and that rich brown color.

[Claude]

Nice work on the native American, Randy!

Claude

[John Smith]

there was a guy on LumberJocks a couple of years ago that was selling a load of 2 and 3" thick butternut cut to any size. I contacted him twice and never got a response. I'll try to look him up and see if he is still around.