Species of wood with very nice grain / colouring?

[Dino]

So. I'm planning on carving my girlfriend a Kuksa cup for christmas, since she loves that kind of stuff, but I want to make it from a fancier piece of wood than I usually use (I tend to stick to beech / lime since it is pretty cheap).

I'm relatively inexperienced in carving so any suggestions would be welcome. I probably need a block of something like 2"x2"x3" or so, if not bigger in case sizing matters. I'm looking for something that will be easy enough to carve using chisels / gouges (with or without a mallet...which I should turn on my lathe one of these days).

Thanks!

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

why not try Yew. Fabulous grain and colour, particularly the contrast between sap and heartwood and very dense grained so should carve well. Also relatively easy to come by from specialist turning suppliers.

 

[Brentingby]

Aren't they traditionally made out of a birch burl?

 

[TRITON]

Quarter riven Ash.

 

[niagra]

Rippled Sycamore.

 

[Dino]

Aren't they traditionally made out of a birch burl?

Not entirely sure I could afford something like that, burls cost a ridiculous amount of money.

I think I might go with Yew, I've never worked with it and the grain looks nice. The others I think would be relatively difficult for me to get ahold of.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

That was what drove me to suggest yew. Apart from beauty it also has availability and tight grain going for it. In fact, if you're anywhere near North Hampshire any time soon, fly by here and I'll give you some for nowt

 

[marcros]

what about walnut- I dont know how it carves, but the grain can look fantastic.

 

[paulm]

Before you invest any time and money in a nice piece of yew, given the application of making a kuksa, which are generally used unsealed or just oiled for drinking from, you might want to think about possible toxicity ?!!! May not be a problem in reality, I'm not sure, but worth thinking about....

Cheers, Paul

 

[Dino]

I will be oiling it, I think. I'll probably make a post about what people suggest for sealing it here when I actually carve the thing.

And thanks very much for the offer Bob! Everyone on this forum is so kind. Makes me wish I was further down South, since most of the members seem to be situated there. There are plenty of great northerns on here too who have helped me out a lot though.

I'll find some on ebay, or maybe a timber yard I plan on checking out today or tomorrow.

 

[marcros]

you may find it easier to carve some air dried timber- it certainly seems to nicer to plane and work generally. The other alternative is to find a nice piece of firewood- try a tree surgeon, they may have something burry put to one side.

 

[celston]

I've only ever carved spoons from green wood. You might find it hard work carving seasoned wood by hand with knives.

 

[CHJ]

Personally I would not use Yew for a drinking vessel, I'm with Paul on the reservations front.
A tree with the capability of killing a horse with just a handful of foliage has got to be suspect where direct contact with food or drink is concerned.

I have seen descriptions of medieval vessels made of Yew but never any indication as to the health of persons using them.

 

[John15]

I've just finished a bookcase in American Cherry and the grain pattern is fantastic, but I'm not sure if it's any good for carving.

John

 

[Alexam]

That was what drove me to suggest yew. Apart from beauty it also has availability and tight grain going for it. In fact, if you're anywhere near North Hampshire any time soon, fly by here and I'll give you some for nowt

Careful Bob, you will cause a traffic jam with such statements as free Yew.

Must say, it's one of my favourites for bandsaw boxes.

 

[Dino]

Should I really be worried so much about toxicity of Yew? I've been working Google for a while and can't find much things to support the actual wood being toxic, but the fact that the leaves are toxic does make me worry.

 

[bugbear]

Personally I would not use Yew for a drinking vessel, I'm with Paul on the reservations front.
A tree with the capability of killing a horse with just a handful of foliage has got to be suspect where direct contact with food or drink is concerned.

Not so sure - the leaves of the potato and tomato plants are poisonous, but (happily) some parts are not.

BugBear

 

[Dino]

I'll do a bit more reading. I'd obviously like to avoid poisoning my girlfriend.

 

[paulm]

Try it and see and let us know how you get on !!!

Wouldn't myself to be honest but it's true that I've no proof it would be harmful !

Cheers, Paul

 

[Dino]

I'm more inclined to believe people who have worked with the stuff a long time I think. I've not found any actual scientific stuff about it yet. I'll look into some non-toxic woods.