What Is Live Edge Wood?
While I wish to focus on the benefits of live edge wood and its history a reader may not know what it is. This style of wood is purposefully cut so that it retains its natural edge. If desired it can retain the bark on the edge of the board.
To achieve this a log is sawed into planks from edge to edge and from top to bottom as it rests on the mill. This is not how dimensional lumber is cut which you are accustomed to seeing at home improvement stores. Live edge milling allows for large slabs to be cut and to be used in things such as tables.
The History Of Live Edge Wood
Many see the style reaching back to older times. Images of the frontier and mountain men come to the mind. This type of cut was common in many places within history. Much would depend upon the technology which was available to a people at a location.
Dimensional lumber is just as common historically. Yet the uses of both types of wood was often of necessity to project, location, and time. So how did live edge wood become popular within this modern era?
It would be the mid 20th century that would bring this style of design into focus. A man by the name of George Nakashima in the 1940’s created a line of work which caught the attention of the public. His unique joining methods also became a signature to his style of work which is copied today.
Despite its popularity within the 40’s it would take until around 2010 for it to become truly mainstream. Television networks such as HGTV aided in this push forward and a new boom in craftsmanship was born.
Why Is Live Edge Crafted And Not Mass Produced?
There are a handful of productions which have attempted to replicate live edge work. Yet it is no where near the same end product. The problem with mass production is that the wood is first not uniform in dimension. Machines require uniformity.
In pieces such as dining tables often what is called a leaf is used. In this way the size of the table can be adjusted by removing a section of it. What is little known is that this allows for table production to also be streamlined.
Large slabs which are not uniform in size cannot be planed to thickness easily by many conventional tools. A separate process is needed. The joining of the slabs to make the table also becomes a hand crafted process due to this lack of uniformity.
It is for reasons like these that many, but not all, live edge wood designs are left to local craftsmen. To find designs such as these you will need to look for them in small hometown shops that may market on social media. The box stores will have a very limited scope of items of this nature.
Leave The Bark On Or Strip It Off?
We step into two key issues with the question of leaving the bark on or stripping it off. First know that leaving the bark on a live edge will create an abrasive surface. If you have small children this may not be a good idea to leave on the wood.
The additional problem that can be created is that not all bark wants to remain in place over time. Wear and tear an cause portions of it to become loose or removed. There are some pieces within the home that it would be better suited for than others.
Alternatively removing the bark is often the most common live edge that we see. In this way sharp edges created by the saw mill can be smoothed and rounded. The edge itself with the color transition within the wood is more prominent and decorative. Potential hazards are also removed in this way.
The matter of which direction you go is not a question of which is right or wrong. Rather it becomes what you prefer and what fits your home best. Both paths are equally beautiful but each has their own unique qualities.
How Strong Is the Edge Of The Wood?
I am relating strength here to potential damage from impact or accidents which could mar the edge. In terms of general wood strength the outer portion of any tree, which this is what makes up a live edge, will be weaker. The center of a tree is the strongest portion of the wood.
Know that stronger and weaker is a very relative term. You will not crack through the outer layers of a slab by accident. It is still quite strong in terms of wood strength.
Yet a live edge portion of a slab can become dented if impact were to happen with sufficient force. This is true with any standard table of dimensional size as well. Any edge impact to any table is prone to cause damage. A live edge does have one unique aspect which could become an issue.
Much will be determined by the thickness of a slab and how unique its edge is by natures design. If finished well by the craftsman it will serve you with no issues. Yet if it is too thin, poorly finished, and receives impact by force at a single point on an edge it could ruin the table.
Generally How Strong Are These Slabs?
If you were to compare a live edge table, counter top, or any other assortment of items such as mantles it would surprise you. They are extremely durable. A manufactured table is often much thinner in its material.
Due to the size of these slabs weight can be an issue in how to get it into your home. There will be little concern in the table strength itself. Just do not hurt yourself getting it into place.
Little Known Secrets Of Live Edge Wood
All wood will patina as it ages. I am speaking to genuine patina not artificial. Yet the most beautiful aging will take place in more exotic species and wood grains.
So here is the secret… If you are going to a local craftsman and you want the most beautiful piece, he might have it hidden.
Some like me have our front room wood which we use for projects that are offered to the public. Then there is my private collection of wood. Yes us wood guys can be a little crazy.
Others will not care and attempt to get things sold and out the door as fast as it comes in. If you find one of those guys who likes to hold onto wood for a while you may find a gem. I say this for natural aging in wood is desired. Do not ruin it with artificial techniques in making wood appear weathered.
If the woodworker has a secret stash, it is a secret for more than aging reasons. Among those pieces will be the most beautiful and unique selections of live edge wood. Just know this up front, you will not get them without paying a premium if you can get them at all.
As this is a bit of luck in the draw, if you cannot find an aged slab it is not the end of the world. With time your table will patina and eventually gain its true character. Being patient does not hurt.
If one thinks that wood needs time to patina after it has been worked and sanded this is not true. Working a surface will disturb fibers but the wood as a whole ages through and through. Aging does not equal weathering, I will explain below.
Why Artificial Aging Techniques Are Bad
If you are wanting to artificially age the appearance of your deck boards that is fine. Just do not do this to a live edge slab. Most artificial techniques require a stain or a chemical reaction to cause the wood to gray and appear weathered.
Here enters confusion from diy shows and those who write attempting to gain attention. You need to know the real difference. Aging and weathering are different. Artificial techniques ruin the natural beauty your wood will have.
What happens to your fence outside which faces sun, wind, rain, and snow is weathering. That is not your dining room table. There is no way possible to genuinely age wood with stains or chemicals. It requires time.
What happens to wood when it gains its real patina? With age the colors in the grain become more distinct an prominent. The wood color in time will become rich, deeper, and quite unique. This is wood patina. It is a natural occurrence.
Any attempt to artificially create this will not only fail but it will ruin what the slab could be in time. What you see on television shows is not what is always best. Real beauty requires time.
What Wood Gives The Best Live Edge Aesthetics?
Much of this will come back to personal taste in design and color. It would be really easy for me to create a list of species here and just tell you to go look for them. Yet this is not the true answer.
If you like darker colors then walnut would one potential choice. Lighter colors in species are plenty. Yet if you have read this far into my article take a break for a moment and fire up Google then select images. Search for Ambrosia Maple and also Curly Maple.
What I have told you to search for is a variation of Maple. Ignore for a moment what creates this effect. Just look at its natural beauty. There are many variations in common species we all know which have different effects such as this.
Again use Google and search for Tulip Rainbow Poplar. Poplar itself, just like Maple, is not that impressive on its own. Generic farm grown lumber cannot produce this aesthetic impact in wood.
If you really want a unique table then this is the kind of lumber you are looking for. It is a definite premium. These woods are not farm grown but found or discovered. They are also coming to be harder to find.
So to answer the question of what live edge wood looks the best in visual appeal is not an easy answer. As an artist I will not give a simple list then tell you to go look for those species. To find what you like really requires gaining a little knowledge and research to find beauty.
Aspects Of Concern Placing Heavier Slabs
For a moment consider the weight of these live edge pieces. Is the floor you are placing it on tile? The average weight of these tables can range widely. Smaller pieces will be a mere 100 lbs while larger ones can reach near 600 lbs.
The median would be between 300 to 400 lbs respectively. More unique tables which are larger can run in excess of weight but are not common. If your table seems heavy, know its weight.
If flooring is not installed properly this can create issues. The floor should be level and the flooring which is placed on it the same. While an unleveled floor will not harm the table it could potentially result in broken tile or work loose a board.
For counter tops and heavier mantles ensure that the method of securing the slab to a structure is done properly. Furthermore ensure that the structure it will be secured to is sound and can handle static stress over time.
There is far more potential in a live edge piece causing damage to something else in the home than you causing damage to the piece itself. This does not factor in that you do not want a heavy piece of wood falling on anyone.
Ignore The Cool Factor
Many blogs will focus on cool factors telling you how live edge wood will enhance your home. Certainly it will. Yet my goal here is not to fill a page with fluff on home decor mess. What I have given is a general overview of what is actually very intricate and at times delicate work.
Just as a heads up, I personally do not create larger items with slabs. My work consists of smaller art pieces. What you have read is not a sales pitch but rather is for your benefit from my past experience. If you contact me I am sorry but I cannot accommodate you with things such as tables.
I am a one man shop and an artist who loves the niche that I have created. If you are local to me then I do know some guys who truly do amazing work in this area. I would be happy to forward references to them.