Hey everyone! I recently cut down a healthy catalpa tree through my job at a tree service, and I'm eager to try using the wood for some kitchen stirring utensils. I'm wondering what's the best way to prepare it—should I leave it as a log or split it first? Is catalpa a good choice for this kind of project? Any tips on drying and working with it would be appreciated!
3 Answers
You should definitely check out some YouTube videos on making spoons from logs! Channels like Zed Outdoors or Andy Spoons have great tutorials on how to split the wood, start carving, and then let it dry before finishing. It'll really help you get started!
I’ve actually made spoons from catalpa before, and they turned out great! It’s pretty common to carve from green wood, so you could start working on it right away. If you decide to dry it first, just keep in mind that it usually takes about a year for every inch of thickness to dry completely.
Carving while the wood is still green is way easier, trust me on that! Once you have it shaped, just let it dry, and then you can finish it with any sanding or detailing you want. If you're opting for the log route, remember that it dries roughly an inch per year, so it might take a while.