Japanese Wood Burning
Shou Sugi Ban is essentially a form or style of Japanese wood burning. While commonly done with Cedar this method can be applied to any kind of lumber.
Its goal is to create a unique and beautiful looking wood for the use in a home as an aesthetic accent.
This wood burning art is much older than its present use within modern history. The methods and approach used today can offer a wider variety in appearance and color than in other historical periods.
Please note the end of this article which focuses on the dangers to wood burning. Do not attempt this process without being fully aware of these dangers.
Be sure to always take necessary precautions based upon your personal environment.
Where Did Shou Sugi Ban Come From?
Other than the name giving away the obvious that this is from Japan, it was cultivated by a man named Terunobu Fujimori.
While the concept may have much older roots his specific technique is what many focus on when speaking to this specific style.
In the West we have essentially done the same thing albeit slightly different in method. Nevertheless it is because of Fujimori that its popularity began to rise to something more than a mere fad.
It use having gone mainstream has led to dedicated work specializing in this concept.
What Is The Difference In Shou Sugi Ban To Regular Wood Burning?
You will see many people who light a propane torch and then go to work burning wood by hand. I am not going to argue by saying this is not proper or inferior to Shou Sugi Ban.
Quite simply it is a different method.
Nevertheless most people who burn wood for aesthetic uses employ a simple hand torch method. They then work across the wood to char the surface as the initial step.
For larger batches of lumber people typically acquire bigger propane tanks and bigger torches. It begins to look something more like a flamethrower.
Yet if you need this kind of equipment you would be safer constructing a simple brick or cinder block oven.
With Shou Sugi Ban the focus in the type of cut lumber being typically longer boards. They will be laid side by side.
The board in the center becomes the base. The board laying to the left and right will be stood on their edges and then leaned to rest on each other at the top.
This forms a triangle and the three boards are tied together. The fire is then started inside the triangle tunnel of wood. This creates a slight wind tunnel effect while also increasing the heat.
The wood burns until 1/8 of an inch deep in the surface of the wood is burnt. How does one know it is at this depth while the wood is on fire? It is said to take about 10 minutes to accomplish.
I personally would not be trying to measure this while the wood is on fire. So having said this please stick to using a stopwatch and let 10 minutes go by.
What happens if you let the wood burn for too long? It usually is not a major issue, depending on how long is too long.
If the surface appears to be super charred typically cleaning, sanding, and finishing will still give an amazing look to the surface and this is often preferred by most people.
As you can see there really is not a major difference between methods. If we are going to discuss what method is better then it should be considered in another way.
Rather which method is easier to use for the boards you wish to burn?
Is The Shou Sugi Ban Method Is Easier?
For some it is much easier to create brick ovens to accommodate longer boards or bigger wood objects. You are not talking about a permanent structure.
The main focus is creating a safe environment that is self contained.
If you decide to go with an oven I will link here to a little cheat sheet for you. Here is a basic guide to wood burning temperatures to help getting even burn across an entire plank.
The environment becomes like a production line. It is for speed of the process as well as safety.
This is where ovens win the day as compared to simply setting wood on fire out in the open of your back yard. Yet there are benefits which reach beyond this.
With a hand torch it is easy to burn a few pieces of wood. Yet the oven will give a far more consistent burn across many boards, and remain consistent board after board.
If this is not achieved you will definitely see it in the finishing process.
Additionally I will say that for some species of wood some methods may be easier than others. For example I can see how and why the traditional Shou Sugi Ban method works with Cedar.
As the wood has a higher concentration of oils in its fibers the burn should go rather well and consistent across the surface.
With Oak this may not be the case. A more controlled method whether by torch or oven may be needed. In saying this one might can opt for a method that is better for a consistent burn according to the species of wood.
To construct an oven would require more money and time. So the question becomes how much wood does one need to burn?
Personally if it is a smaller quantity, a propane torch is fine. To trim out an entire house an oven would be beneficial for consistency of burn from board to board even if it is not a large volume.
If you are a hobbyist in woodworking that enjoys this kind of wood then its a given to build an oven.
How Do You Finish Shou Sugi Ban?
Finishing Shou Sugi Ban is actually easy. First wear a respirator, and I seriously recommend this over a mask.
Yet I like to begin cleaning the burnt surface with a nylon wire brush.
Some have used steel or brass brushes. What I dislike about this is that it can mar the surface when brushed as the bristles are quite stiff.
The whole idea is to merely create a surface that can be sanded and not rip your sandpaper.
A stiff nylon brush will help clear away loose debris that could potentially cause a problem. Beyond this we are sanding the boards.
An electric sander can be used if the burn was deep enough that sanding does not expose new unburnt wood.
For smaller pieces which will be decorative items in the home, wood oil is really nice to use as a finish. Oils need to be reapplied every so often across time. Yet it will give a natural beauty which no other sealer can provide.
If you have many board feet for a bigger project such as trim in a home, stain and sealer is the better route for wood preservation.
A natural stain that changes the color very little or a deeper toner may be desired depending on how much color you wish to bring out.
You can also apply semi transparent dyes, waxes, and even polish to boards for different effects. It may be worth experimenting with ideas to see the impact it makes in the appearance of the board.
What Are The Benefits Of Shou Sugi Ban?
It is an easy way to take virgin lumber and give it a simple beauty. The appearance when finished will have a look that is more than merely being burnt. Black, silver, and brown colors give it an aged patina.
To further accentuate the look oils or clear sealers can be used. Toners can be added if desired to further alter the color transformation.
Nevertheless the new wood appearance will certainly be gone and replaced with what looks old world.
Personally I would never use Shou Sugi Ban on Natural Wood that is wild grown. This type of lumber has its own beauty which is often reserved for wood art.
The greatest benefit is that it is cheaper than sourcing something like reclaimed wood. You also are not limited by supply of lumber with this method.
Aside from these basic benefits there is one hidden gain.
If you are looking for the old world or older wood patina this may be better than going the reclaimed wood route. After burning the lumber will still have its structural integrity so that it can be load bearing for your projects.
The issue with much reclaimed wood is the potential for its integrity being compromised by time through weather, insects, or rot.
Know up front that you will need to finish the surface with some kind of sealer. You do not want to leave the wood unfinished.
Leaning against the wood with a white shirt or purse will leave black marks on clothing or objects later if not sealed.
What Are The Disadvantages To Shou Sugi Ban?
Shou Sugi Ban will require a dedicated space for the burning to be done. If you live in suburbia you may have a problem when you begin sending smoke signals up into the sky.
Additionally using your driveway is not the best idea for your concrete.
Where I live there would be no issues. I am surrounded by countryside, woods, and forests. Yet even I would prefer something like an oven by brick or cinder block.
The oils in wood burn hot and you will want to control the burn.
The process is very messy from start to finish. While I will say the end product is worth the effort, it will come with a good deal of sweat. While it is simple, it is not easy.
Be aware that burning can cause wood bend and twisting due to the heat. Much will depend upon the moisture content in the board, its natural state by grain, and the oils which are present.
In short you will not be able to control whether or not boards begin to warp. Generally speaking it is not a major issue.
Yet depending upon the species do not be surprised if you see a few boards which do not make it and are unusable.
What Species Of Wood Does Shou Sugi Ban Work Best With?
The best species to use Shou Sugi Ban with would be hardwoods which have higher oil content within its grain. Lumber like Cedar, Teak, Cocobolo, Rosewood, and many tropical species are great for this.
Be aware that oil does not equal sappy woods such as pine. While burning pine can be a nice upgrade from its yellow or white appearance, it will not have the same impact as for oily woods.
With wood like pine you need to have a little more care on the time factor of how long it burns. Pine has a tendency to go up like a matchstick.
By comparison the oils in something like Cedar almost has more of a caramelizing effect when the finishing process is complete.
I have seen that softwoods like pine can tend to warp more often when burning. Rarely is it ever a situation where the board becomes unusable.
Yet you may notice what was a strait board may have a cup, twist, or slight bend afterwards. Unless you are ocd on your lumber like me its no issue.
What Projects Do Best With Shou Sugi Ban?
While the process can be used for virtually anything there are some woodworking projects where it stands out more than others. Believe it or not, for furniture making it is amazing.
Many like to use it for trim within a home and this can be great as well.
Where I prefer to avoid it is within wood art. That is unless the design itself is purely focused on the wood rather than any carved art.
If you are planning on doing any kind of wood carving it may be difficult for the design to be noticed.
Typically when art is carved into wood that has been burned it requires rather deep cuts reaching back to virgin unburnt wood.
In craft projects it can be great as here the focus is less on art and more on function or design. In general there are many more uses for it than not.
The only place I would avoid the process is when wood carving or engraving will become the focus.
This method of wood processing may be slightly newer when compared to other traditional Japanese art forms. Yet it has taken the world and become a point of fascination.
There is no doubt that it is beautiful within a home.
Are There Dangers Using Shou Sugi Ban?
There are several key dangers with the process of Shou Sugi Ban from start to finish. The obvious danger is that we are doing what our mothers always told us not to do. We are playing with fire.
The burning needs to be done in a space that is preferably outside, away from wind, and is controlled. Here is where brick ovens built for this kind of thing come in handy.
Nevertheless be responsible and don’t do anything stupid.
Do not try this indoors, ever. When wood burns the smoke can have more in it than you realize.
Some wood when burnt can be toxic, especially if you are using treated lumber. Natural virgin wood can also be toxic depending upon species.
The cleaning process can be just as dangerous to our health as the smoke. When cleaning and then sanding, the dust which is produced can seriously impact your lungs.
Wrapping a rag around your face just is not going to do it.
You need to wear legitimate protection such as a respirator or a real n95. When you breathe there can be no gaps or holes in the woodworking mask for air to come into your lungs by a path which is not filtered.
Please be aware of the heat. Do not get burned and keep children away. This is not something to take lightly. Have a water source on hand to put out fire and have multiple people on hand to help you.