Sideways Black Walnut Crotch

We have Chad and Colten back again, and we’re sawing log number four of theirs.

Chad – https://midwestwoodturners.com/

Colten – https://www.facebook.com/dtetree/

This is the section of tree that was on top of the first one we cut, which we called the walnut butt log. The burl on this log is its main attraction, so we are excited to see what’s in here. We are hoping for a rotated crotch crosscut in alignment with the middle of that burl, which is a different type of cut for me. I like crotch figure a lot, so I typically line up the piths so that the cut perfectly splays through the crotch. Excited to see how this turns out. 

Setting up this log for the cut we wanted took some work, but we got it. 

Making the first cut now.

Here’s a look at that first cut. It has some exciting color. 

It’s definitely a fun shape, with that burl on the side.

The sideways crotch grain is also getting interesting. 

The burl is a lot better on this cut compared to the previous ones, which weren’t as interesting.

If you like straight grain walnut with a little tumor, this is for you. The opposing cathedrals are kind of interesting as well. 

There’s not a whole lot to look at, honestly. It’s really wide, clear walnut. 

Because we cut on a bias with that crotch, we get a crotch figure line with some figure surrounding it. 

If you cut completely perpendicular to the crotch, you end up with this bullseye with some figure above it. 

Normally when I’m cutting crotch logs, it looks more like this. Because I cut this one parallel to the crotch, this huge line of crotch figure is exposed all the way up. One disadvantage of this type of cut is that the overall shape of the slab is less uniform because of that splay. Cutting the log at a bias or perpendicular to the crotch gives you a more uniform shape up and down the whole length of the slab. My preference of course is the splayed, exposed crotch feather, but I’m glad Chad gave me the opportunity to see a different perspective on cutting a crotch log. 

Thank you as always for joining. I greatly appreciate it. If you have any questions or comments on sawing crotches, please feel free to leave me a comment. As always, I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have. Thanks again to Chad and Colten for coming by with these great logs. And until next time, happy woodworking!