Is Oak usable as blade material

[Woodporter]

I am seriously considering building a Homebrew 10', and have some 1.25" thick clean oak wood that I am thinking about using for blade material. I know that the instructions discourage hardwood, and call for 1.5" thick, but since the oak is available, can I use it?

If not, why?

[Dave B]

Go for it, they will be heavier than some and no big deal if balanced well. My current blades are Ash and I have used pine and poplar previously and they worked just fine also. Watch the location of the knots and laminate them with a waterproof wood glue. Hand carving will be tougher for some species and easier for others, sharp tools and patience is the key. Have fun,  Dave B.  

[scorman]

" have some 1.25" thick clean oak wood"

yes with a "maybe" ...white oak is fine because it has closed grain, red oak is open grain and is not suitable for outdoor use (unless you carefully seal the outside surfaces) ...any cracks later will wick into the center ...exclude all knots since they are hard and screw up shaping and sanding and tend to crack out

you can economize on wood consumption for tapered planform if you plan ahead for glueing.

the following is a two part tutorial posted a long time ago on my construction techniques:

http://www.greenpowertalk.org/showthread.php?t=1188

http://www.greenpowertalk.org/showthread.php?t=1190

note the use above of trailing edge strip with grain parallel for that thin trailing edge

If you followed Dan Lenox's recent thread on glue, I am in full agreement with him on technique ...use your planks 1.25" edgewise and make them as thick as you need 1.5" or 2" (mine were 2.5")....use Titebond III liberally and forget the two or three parts expensive epoxy glues ..not necessary ...I bought a gallon for $28 and used on outdoors oak deck stairs and they have been perfect going on 4 years already

Stew Corman from sunny Endicott

[Woodporter]

Dave and Stew

Thanks for your feedback. Much appreciated.

I am now encouraged to use my oak. I believe I have Bur Oak (cut on my own property) which is one of the white oak varieties, and has closed grain.