Axe Files

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Another oversized black walnut spoon because apparently I’ve forgotten what normal-sized silverware looks like. 😂🪵🥄 There’s a reason black walnut is one of the most sought-after domestic hardwoods for woodworking, furniture making, and carving. And a lot of that comes down to its absolutely gorgeous grain. Black walnut heartwood can range from a lighter chocolate brown to a deep, almost purplish brown, sometimes with streaks of gray, black, and even reddish tones running through it. No two pieces are exactly alike, which is part of what makes working with it so interesting. One of my favorite things about walnut is how much the grain can change throughout a single piece. You might have perfectly straight, uniform grain in one section and then run into beautiful waves, curls, or swirling patterns around knots and where branches once grew. Those irregular grain patterns can make carving more challenging because the wood fibers change direction, increasing the chances of tear-out. But they’re also responsible for some of the most beautiful figuring you’ll find in a finished piece. Walnut is also a fantastic carving wood because it hits a nice middle ground. It’s hard enough to make a durable spoon, but generally workable enough to carve without fighting you every step of the way. It also tends to finish beautifully, especially when you apply oil. And that’s probably my favorite part of the whole process. Watching that first coat of oil soak in and bring out all the colors, grain, and character that were hiding in the wood. You can spend hours carving something, but those last 30 seconds of oiling are when it really comes to life. Plus, if I’m going to spend that much time making a spoon, I might as well make one big enough to stir a bathtub full of soup. 😂 #BlackWalnut #SpoonCarving #Woodworking #HandCarved #AxeFiles

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#onthisday

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Here’s something interesting: the finish I’m putting on this little black walnut spoon comes from a tree that’s actually poisonous. 😂🌳 This is pure tung oil, and it comes from the seeds of the tung tree. The seeds themselves are highly toxic if eaten, but the oil has been used for centuries to protect everything from wooden furniture to boats. In fact, tung oil was used in ancient China to waterproof wooden ships long before modern sealants existed. What makes it so special is what happens after you apply it. Most people think oil just soaks into wood and dries, but tung oil actually undergoes a chemical reaction with oxygen that causes it to harden. Rather than just leaving the wood greasy, it creates a protective, water-resistant finish. And here’s the part I think is really cool: pure tung oil doesn’t need a bunch of synthetic additives to accomplish that. Once it’s completely cured, pure tung oil is generally considered safe for food contact, despite coming from a tree with toxic seeds. Just don’t confuse pure tung oil with products labeled “tung oil finish,” which can contain other ingredients. It also has a pretty incredible effect on black walnut. The oil makes those chocolate-brown tones richer and gives the grain a depth that almost makes the wood look three-dimensional. This particular spoon has a thicker handle and a smaller, deeper bowl. Not every spoon needs to be some delicate little thing. Sometimes I just want to carve something that feels like it could survive being dropped down a flight of stairs. So there you go. A spoon made from one tree, protected by the seeds of another. And people say playing with sticks isn’t educational. 😂 #AxeFiles #BlackWalnut #TungOil #HandCarved #Woodworking