[Woodcarver] Butternut

[ellenwoodarts]

Cynda,
Basswood weighs about 26 pounds per cubic foot when dried to 10 % moisture content. Butternut weighs about the same, so they have about the same density. They carve about the same. The one thing that sets butternut apart from basswood, is its beautiful grain pattern and color. When you put a finish on butternut, it seems to come alive again.
I finish my butternut carvings with either satin finish varnish or Danish oil. I saturate the carving with the finish, leave it set a couple minutes to soak in, then dry brush off all the superficial finish. Let it dry for a full day, then do the same process again.
By doing this I fill all the vessels with the varnish or Danish oil, yet it doesn't leave a buildup on the surface of the carving.
If you want to see what this looks like, check my web site at www.ellenwoodarts.com and go into my "gallery". Click on the thumbnails 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 11 - all are butternut finished as I just described.
Be careful, once you carve butternut.....you'll be hooked.
Ev Ellenwood
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