Interesting idea. Turns out, it's not even in the top ten: Osage Orange | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwoods) Top Ten Hardest Woods | The Wood Database
Hickory and Pecan are the hardest commercially harvested woods in North America, but Black Locust is the hardest of all North American species, at least according to Google.
I think Google is getting that one wrong. There are a bunch of species that are significantly denser. Density isn't the same thing as hardness, of course, but I don't think there's anything so special about the cellular structure of Black Locust that could make it so much harder despite being several places down in the density rankings. My guess is there's not as much objective data available on wood hardness as there is density.
That may be, but hickory and pecan still aren't as hard as osage. Wiki says,"It is one of the heaviest and hardest woods in North America." but it's not the hardest. Only thing harder than osage is a rock and the only thing that burns hotter is coal.
Lol.... just saying what I Googled guys. I know nothing about cellular density, nor do i need to, but I have saw sparks come off the chain cutting Black Locust. Did not mean to start a scientific debate. Lol.....
Good deal for you! Great looking hoard of firewood you have. First time I've seen roof vents on a wood shed (that I can recall).
Congrats on the gold mine, especially coming to you and being so close to home. Hedge... .... it'll prick and poke you, dull your chain, melt down your wood stove, and watch out for those fire bugs that come from the depths of that wicked wood...
That is like a dream list for me, even the poplar, for shoulder season fires and getting the fire started.
Deacon, there is a sheen on the wood from the sun. Was your saw sharp? Harder than Ironwood (Hornbeam)?
I have nothing to debate, I just thought it was an interesting question. I've pursued Lignum Vitae for an application at work - apparently that tree takes 3-400 years to grow into a large enough block for making bearings. It's almost completely unavailable anymore, since commercial harvesting was not sustainable.
Steve, Yep, chain was sharp... At least when I started! Most of the rounds looked that way. Moisture content was around 5%.
Janka Hardness Test measures the hardness of woods. Osage Orange>Hickory/Pecan>Black Locust. Here is a chart: Janka hardness test - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Osage Orange is harder than Hornbeam. You just have to find the chart with the hardness of the wood you are looking for. Janka Scale
Wow, on most cuts the wood is dull. A testament to the hardness for sure. . I looked closer at your pic of the Osage. It's interesting that the growth rings are wide during years one to six, tight from years seven to sixteen, then wider, then tighter. Difference in growing conditions?
That looks EXACTLY like a chunk of long dead hedge one of my late uncle's in NW Missouri cut for me back in the mid 80's. Soon afterwards I turned a mallet from part of it.All polished up & varnished it was almost too pretty to use.Didnt see much,its been a paperweight/conversation piece for years now.I epoxied 2 short stubs of 1/2" brass round stock in the ends for a nice contrast & bit of added weight.
If you would look at the picture again that is a house across the street. Mine all have metal on top and a 2-3 inch drop in back.
Some of you may differ on what I am about to say but it what I have come across in cutting wood. I have cut just about every king of wood there is in my area from soft maple to hedge and dried hedge will throw 10x more spark's than dry black locust when cutting and will chip your chain too, like cutting rocks. Try it about dark and you will see.
That is just the optimist in me showing . Now that I look closer, I see the metal roofing edge. Still a nice hoard ... even if it isn't a house full.
