If you are an experienced carver or a beginner, the type of wood you choose for carving will give different results in finishing and time spent working on carving. In this article we will ask ourselves, Is teak good for carving?
Teak is good for carving and accepts final details very well. The challenge you will face when carving teak is, that it dulls blades more quickly than other woods because of natural oil and high silica content which are the natural preservatives of teak.
Teak is one of the most expensive woods, which is a downside on the affordability side, but its durability is next level. It contains resin that gives natural resistance against water and rotting. Teak does not shrink and fares well in different environments.
Is Teak Hard To Carve
Teak has a Janka hardness of 1,155lbf and that is pretty hard because it is approximately 60% harder than basswood. It will be challenging if you use whittling method because you are using hand tools only.
When you use hand tools, you can use a chisel, gouges, and a mallet. The best solution to avoid your tools dulling fast is using carbide-tipped blades and this will make you carve for longer without sharpening again.
When carving teak, a sharpening stone or a powered tool sharpener should be close to you.
Methods For Carving teak
When you are carving teak, it’s best to avoid whittling and use either power carving or chainsaw carving. The reason why I say this is because the natural preservatives make it hard to use hand tools.
Finishing Teak
Some people fail to apply finish on teak because of the natural preservatives that allow the wood to withstand many different conditions and environments. The downside of leaving it without any finish is the high rate at which it fades.
To protect your carving from that, there are various finishes you can use.
Oil finish is the best way to maintain the golden-brown shade of teak wood. The oil finish protects your carving from UV rays which discolors wood. To maintain the look of your carving, re-apply the oil finish once a year because oil finishes tends to draw natural moisture that can change the look of your carving.
If the teak you have carved is to add beauty outdoors, varnish will be your best finish choice because it gives your carving a hard shiny surface. This finish will protect your wood from rains. Apply multiple coats to give it more protection.
Conclusion
Teak is a good wood for carving although the natural preservatives which include high silica content which increase the rate at which your tools dull.