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Is Black Locust Wood Good for Carving?

Is Black Locust Wood Good for Carving

Black locust, scientific name Robinia pseudoacacia, is not one of the most popular wood types used for projects and commercial use. Even so, you might have some black locust on your hands and be wondering if black locust is good for carving and woodworking.

You’ll be happy to know that black locust is good for woodworking and carving purposes. It is very strong and durable. It also does a great job at fighting decay. The only downside is that the wood can be difficult to carve fine details into, but it makes a great wood type for outdoor projects, tool handles, and furniture.

If you are interested in learning more about how to use black locust for carving and woodworking purposes, keep reading. This article fully explains the benefits of using black locust for woodworking purposes, as well as its drawbacks.

Overview of Black Locust

  • Scientific Name: Robinia pseudoacacia
  • Distribution: Central-eastern United States
  • Tree Size: 65-100 ft tall, 2-3 ft trunk diameter
  • Average Dried Weight: 48 lbs/ft3
  • Specific Gravity:.66,.77
  • Janka Hardness: 1,700 lbf
  • Modulus of Rupture: 19,400 lbf/in2
  • Elastic Modulus: 2,050,000 lbf/in2
  • Crushing Strength: 10,200 lbf/in2

Before we dive into all of the different ways to use black locust, let’s take a look at this wood and its attributes.

Black locust tends to have a color appearance that ranges from a pale green-yellow to a dark brown. With age, it darkens into a russet brown color. This tree is most comparable to the osage orange and honey locust in appearance.

The texture of black locust is usually straight with a medium texture. The end grain is ring-porous, and its workability has mixed responses. Although it has a straight grain, it also has a high density and hardness that can make it difficult to whittle on your own. Black locust is known to have a blunting effect on different cutting edges too.

As far as weathering goes, black locust performs wonderfully outside. It fights decay, though the black locust tree sees a lot of insect damage.

Black locust wood is primarily used for woodwork that needs to last a long time due to its hardness, durability, and weather resistance. Fence posts, flooring, furniture, and boats are often made from black locust.

Pros

Black locust is loved for its durability, hardness, and longevity. It’s a great wood if you need the final project to last a long time and withstand a lot of elements. Many people also enjoy black locust because it has a unique appearance that gives your final project character.

Cons

The hardness and durability of black locust is a double-edged sword. It can be difficult to do intricate detailing because of how hard the wood is. The wood is primarily only used for heavy-duty projects that need to last a long time as a result. It can also be a bit more difficult to find black locust simply because it isn’t as widely available as other wood types.

Is Black Locust Good for Woodworking?

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Black locust is considered a hard, durable, and long-lasting wood. Although it isn’t used as commercially as oak and other popular lumber, it still is great for many purposes.

Most people agree that black locust is really good for woodworking, though it isn’t necessarily the best for intricate detailing. Instead, it’s good for carving up structures that need to last a long time, such as furniture and tool handles. Black locust is also good for creating outdoor furniture, such as fences.

If you want to carve detailed woodworking projects, honey locust is better just because it is softer and easier to cut. Black locust is better used for heavy-duty projects, such as fences and furniture.

To check the current price and availability of Schaaf Wood Carving Tools, click here to view the listing on Amazon.

Does Black Locust Make Good Furniture?

Yes. Black locust makes fantastic wood furniture. The furniture will last a long time, and it will have a beautiful luster when sanded properly. You can even use black luster to make outdoor furniture because it weathers well.

Does Black Locust Make Good Tool Handles?

Yes. A black locust makes good tool handles. The wood may be a bit difficult to whittle down, but the tool handles will last a long time if they are made from black locust. The effort is certainly worth it in this case.

If you want to have an attractive tool handle, it’s a great idea to machine and sand the handle. The wood will take on a high luster, which is very attractive.

What Are the Best Things to Carve Out of Black Locust?

If you’re trying to figure out a way to use black locust wood, we recommend carving out something functional that needs a heavy-duty wood. For example, it’s a great idea to carve furniture, fence post, outdoor detailing, and tool handles from black locust.

In contrast, black locust is not a great material if you want to do intricate detailing for decorative purposes. Because of the hardness of this wood type, it can be difficult to make fine details. So, it’s best to use this wood for more functional purposes that do not need incredibly intricate details.

Final Thoughts

Black locust makes a good wood type for various woodcarving jobs. It is hard and resists weathering well, which means you can expect your projects to last a long time. The tree has a straight grain, which makes it a little bit easier to carve, though its hardness works in opposition to that statement.

Whenever you consider all of the facts together, black locust is a great wood material for heavy-duty woodworking projects. Furniture, flooring, outdoor furniture, fences, and tool handles would all benefit from a wood like black locust. Definitely consider carving one of these items if you have extra black locust on your hands.

Of course, you can always try to do intricate detailing work in the black locust. You will just have to take some time, and the wood may dull your blade. So, it’s best to stick to big, functional jobs, but you can do smaller detail work as well. It’s ultimately up to you.

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