Would I be right in saying this is birch ?

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Mrcwcb

Member
Feb 25, 2016
33
0
Glasgow
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I'm sure it is but need to double check 👍🏼
 
Hi everyone,
mr cwcb, yes looks like it to me. In the second photo that shows the end of the log it looks as though it is starting to split in the centre. Get it cut in half down its length before it starts to tear itself apart. Good luck with whatever you have planed for it.
Regards chris.
 

Mrcwcb

Member
Feb 25, 2016
33
0
Glasgow
Hey everyone thanks a lot for he replies 👍🏼

Was double checking to give this a bash, thanks to Robson Valley for sorting me out 👍🏼 not a bad shot for a first try 😉 if I say so my self

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Polecatsteve

Nomad
Aug 20, 2014
286
5
Scotland
Good effort mate, spent many a nights sitting out the back "making a mess" if you ask the missus. I made a kuska from a birch log like that but a word of warning. If it's not seasoned you may find it will split. I found out the hard way. Season 1st THEN carve.

Well done.
 

C_Claycomb

Moderator staff
Mod
Oct 6, 2003
7,353
2,363
Bedfordshire
If it is it will have a wintergreen/mint aroma.

Not in the UK or Scandinavia it won't. The birch here is Silver Birch and in Scandinavia also Downy Birch. I have only encountered that smell with River Birch (read that its present in Sweet Birch too) which is native to the Northeast USA and Canada.
 
Dec 10, 2015
387
137
South Wales
Good effort mate, spent many a nights sitting out the back "making a mess" if you ask the missus. I made a kuska from a birch log like that but a word of warning. If it's not seasoned you may find it will split. I found out the hard way. Season 1st THEN carve.

Well done.

I prefer to carve the wood when its green its a lot easier on the blades and the woods less prone to chipping. Now if you take care and place your piece in a carrier bag full of the chipping you have made and store it in a cool place it will slow down the drying process and the wood will usually be alright. Now I'm not saying it won't crack as the odd occasion it will but mostly it won't.
 

Robson Valley

Full Member
Nov 24, 2014
9,959
2,664
McBride, BC
Betula occidentalis is sometimes called black birch. B. lenta is sometimes called black birch.
I do not know if either of those is native to Scotland.
Instead, European White Birch (B. pendula) is native and a stronger candidate.
 

Robson Valley

Full Member
Nov 24, 2014
9,959
2,664
McBride, BC
Back to the OP and the wonderful spoon #1 that he carved. Quick study. I think I can make a carver out of him yet.
Two things:

1. The neck between the bowl and the handle should not be thinned. Looks good but that's a stress point with heavy mixing.
Stuff like bread, scones, pasta and pizza doughs. I stir with the handle. The bowl end would break my wrist.
The contours of the handle can be smoothed with the crooked knife, shallow, dragging, slicing cuts.

2. Thin the rim of the bowl void, from the inside. That makes the bowl look bigger and thinner. Yeah, it's a fake, an illusion.
Everybody should do it.
 

Dean

Mod
Mod
Jan 24, 2004
888
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South Wales
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Back to the OP and the wonderful spoon #1 that he carved. Quick study. I think I can make a carver out of him yet.
Two things:

1. The neck between the bowl and the handle should not be thinned. Looks good but that's a stress point with heavy mixing.
Stuff like bread, scones, pasta and pizza doughs. I stir with the handle. The bowl end would break my wrist.
The contours of the handle can be smoothed with the crooked knife, shallow, dragging, slicing cuts.

2. Thin the rim of the bowl void, from the inside. That makes the bowl look bigger and thinner. Yeah, it's a fake, an illusion.
Everybody should do it.

I agree with Robson here on both points, also the op should get straight on to making their next one while this ones is drying.
 

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