Dead right about the cracks, I'm only a beginner but it's happened/happening so many times to me that it's far more useful to know why than to try and blame external factors.
I love this video, because it means that I do not have to worry that much...I just have to go for it !!! I am so happy that I found your channel....this will be my new hobby !!!
Excellent advice/video Andy and I 100% agree with advice/info shared! I sometimes have troubles myself with primarily Apple-wood (my VERY favorite wood!!) primarily because I need to totally soak my stock (all woods) in water for sometimes a long time and they become very soaked-thru such that they sink when kept. This often has to do with the heartwoods rather than the whiter sapwood even though it's a ways from the pith by a good bit! This occurs during the carving process - and not always - and I'm trying to figure out why. Not a huge issue as it's not on every chunk but enough to p-iss me off a bit. And I'm well aware of the axe blade even touching the spoon shoulders where this mostly occurs as I make sure the tool "never" even comes close (saw cuts and a tap....never hits that shoulder...never, I've learned!) I'm really thinking it's b/c the wood is totally soaked but I can't help that... Also have two larger shop freezers fully full with other species of wood for over our sub-zero Minnesota winters so stocking the billets in a freezer is out I'm afraid! I'll keep my head going on this but I doubt I'll find a solution! Nice video man.....~ Jeremy.
Hi Jeremy, thanks for weighing in! Apple can be a particularly tricky drying timber, I think because it often grows with a twist, as it dries there is more tension in the grain. Shop freezers sound like a dream for my Australian summers!
I also do other woodworking projects. One of my tools is a planer. I save a bag of them and throw my spoons in them. They season slowly and I've not had a problem with checking. If I have in the past, it's because the wood was already checked and I didn't notice it til too late. Even so, I've gone on to finish the spoon and it hasn't been a problem. Another technique I've used is boiling the spoon about 10 minutes. That has worked quite well in the past. Keep up the good pointers. So, from Alaska, have a blessed and joyful New Year.
Good point regarding cracking due to shocks during the axing stage. I've had cracks appear in the bowl that I've put down to carving while sitting in direct sunlight. Do you think there's anything in that?
It would have to be some pretty intense direct sunlight from really wet wood to even have a chance of affecting the timber. I wouldn't put much stock in that being a contributing factor
Hi there! I always say "all care, no responsibility" when it comes to international shipping. I can absolutely package and mail, but once it reaches international customs, I can't speak to what is being allowed to make it through, or additional taxes
Dead right about the cracks, I'm only a beginner but it's happened/happening so many times to me that it's far more useful to know why than to try and blame external factors.
Thanks for your comments . I appreciate your advice and letting the wood figure itself out is great advice for me lol.
It will always have the last say!
I love this video, because it means that I do not have to worry that much...I just have to go for it !!! I am so happy that I found your channel....this will be my new hobby !!!
That's fantastic to hear!
Excellent advice/video Andy and I 100% agree with advice/info shared! I sometimes have troubles myself with primarily Apple-wood (my VERY favorite wood!!) primarily because I need to totally soak my stock (all woods) in water for sometimes a long time and they become very soaked-thru such that they sink when kept. This often has to do with the heartwoods rather than the whiter sapwood even though it's a ways from the pith by a good bit! This occurs during the carving process - and not always - and I'm trying to figure out why. Not a huge issue as it's not on every chunk but enough to p-iss me off a bit. And I'm well aware of the axe blade even touching the spoon shoulders where this mostly occurs as I make sure the tool "never" even comes close (saw cuts and a tap....never hits that shoulder...never, I've learned!) I'm really thinking it's b/c the wood is totally soaked but I can't help that... Also have two larger shop freezers fully full with other species of wood for over our sub-zero Minnesota winters so stocking the billets in a freezer is out I'm afraid! I'll keep my head going on this but I doubt I'll find a solution! Nice video man.....~ Jeremy.
Hi Jeremy, thanks for weighing in! Apple can be a particularly tricky drying timber, I think because it often grows with a twist, as it dries there is more tension in the grain. Shop freezers sound like a dream for my Australian summers!
I also do other woodworking projects. One of my tools is a planer. I save a bag of them and throw my spoons in them. They season slowly and I've not had a problem with checking. If I have in the past, it's because the wood was already checked and I didn't notice it til too late. Even so, I've gone on to finish the spoon and it hasn't been a problem. Another technique I've used is boiling the spoon about 10 minutes. That has worked quite well in the past. Keep up the good pointers. So, from Alaska, have a blessed and joyful New Year.
Not to say that all of those extra steps don't help things, for sure! It all depends on your own experience, and the difference in wood types
Good point regarding cracking due to shocks during the axing stage. I've had cracks appear in the bowl that I've put down to carving while sitting in direct sunlight. Do you think there's anything in that?
It would have to be some pretty intense direct sunlight from really wet wood to even have a chance of affecting the timber. I wouldn't put much stock in that being a contributing factor
Здравствуйте возможно заказать у вас ложки живя в России?
Hi there! I always say "all care, no responsibility" when it comes to international shipping. I can absolutely package and mail, but once it reaches international customs, I can't speak to what is being allowed to make it through, or additional taxes
Hey, what brand & model is your carving knife? It says WCC but I can't find anything about it. (I liked & subscribed)
Hi there! Google "WCC Full Tang Sloyd Knife" and it will show up 👌
It's an awesome knife! Just got one for Christmas.
Lol. Dammit. Get out of my freezer, Andy!