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Butternut Wood

Butternut is a lightweight hardwood similar to walnut, known for its light brown color, soft texture, and easy workability. It carves and machines well, making it a popular choice for carving, furniture, and rustic woodworking projects where a warm, natural look is desired.

Butternut Wood

  • Lumber

  • Butternut Lumber

    4/4 Butternut Lumber

    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95
    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95

    The White Walnut that is great for carving! Known as Walnut’s country cousin, Butternut is closely related to black walnut and is a joy to use. Due...

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    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95
    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95
  • Butternut Lumber Pack

    4/4 Butternut Lumber Pack

    $136.50 - $136.50
    $136.50
    $136.50
    $136.50 - $136.50
    $136.50

    The White Walnut that is great for carving! Choose from 2 different sizes of our 4/4 Butternut Rough Cut Lumber Packs; 10 Board feet or 20 Board Fe...

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    $136.50 - $136.50
    $136.50
    $136.50
    $136.50 - $136.50
    $136.50
  • Butternut Lumber Pack

    8/4 Butternut Lumber Pack

    $186.50 - $329.10
    $186.50
    $186.50 - $329.10
    $186.50 - $329.10
    $186.50

    The White Walnut that is great for carving! Choose from 2 different sizes of our 8/4 Butternut Rough Cut Lumber Packs; 10 Board feet or 20 Board Fe...

    View full details
    $186.50 - $329.10
    $186.50
    $186.50 - $329.10
    $186.50 - $329.10
    $186.50
  • Butternut Lumber

    8/4 Butternut Lumber

    $44.50 - $88.95
    $44.50
    $44.50 - $88.95
    $44.50 - $88.95
    $44.50

    The White Walnut that is great for carving! Known as Walnut’s country cousin, Butternut is closely related to black walnut and is a joy to use. Due...

    View full details
    $44.50 - $88.95
    $44.50
    $44.50 - $88.95
    $44.50 - $88.95
    $44.50
  • 4/4 Butternut Lumber - Full Length
    Save up to $239.00 Save $0.00

    4/4 Butternut Lumber - Full Length

    $59.75 - $1,195.00
    $59.75 - $1,195.00
    $59.75
    $59.75 - $956.00
    $59.75 - $956.00
    $59.75

    4/4 Butternut Lumber in long lengths Grade: Select & Better Kiln Dried These boards are considered rough stock and may have minor defects suc...

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    $59.75 - $1,195.00
    $59.75 - $1,195.00
    $59.75
    $59.75 - $956.00
    $59.75 - $956.00
    $59.75
    Save up to $239.00 Save $0.00

  • S4S Lumber

  • S4S Butternut Lumber

    Online / Pre-Order S4S Butternut Lumber

    $21.95 - $40.90
    $21.95
    $21.95 - $40.90
    $21.95 - $40.90
    $21.95

    The White Walnut that is great for carving! Known as Walnut’s country cousin, Butternut is closely related to black walnut and is a joy to use. Due...

    View full details
    $21.95 - $40.90
    $21.95
    $21.95 - $40.90
    $21.95 - $40.90
    $21.95
  • S4S Butternut Lumber

    Online / Pre-Order S4S Butternut Lumber - Thick

    $49.50 - $93.95
    $49.50
    $49.50 - $93.95
    $49.50 - $93.95
    $49.50

    The White Walnut that is great for carving! Known as Walnut’s country cousin, Butternut is closely related to black walnut and is a joy to use. Due...

    View full details
    $49.50 - $93.95
    $49.50
    $49.50 - $93.95
    $49.50 - $93.95
    $49.50

  • Carving Blocks

  • Butternut Carving Block

    Butternut Carving Block - 1" x 5" x 18"

    $13.95 - $13.95
    $13.95
    $13.95 - $13.95
    $13.95

    4/4 Butternut Carving Blank Are you looking for a medium-brown hardwood with distinct grain structure that is still suitable for hand carving? Our ...

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    $13.95 - $13.95
    $13.95
    $13.95 - $13.95
    $13.95
  • Butternut Carving Block 2 x 5 x 18

    Butternut Carving Block - 2" x 5" x 18"

    $30.50 - $30.50
    $30.50
    $30.50 - $30.50
    $30.50

    8/4 Butternut Carving Blank Are you looking for a medium-brown hardwood with distinct grain structure that is still suitable for hand carving? Our ...

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    $30.50 - $30.50
    $30.50
    $30.50 - $30.50
    $30.50
  • Butternut Carving Blanks

    Butternut Carving Block - 2" x 2" x 6" (Set of 9)

    $35.95 - $35.95
    $35.95
    $35.95 - $35.95
    $35.95

    2" Butternut Carving Blank Set (9 PCS) Are you looking for a medium-brown hardwood with distinct grain structure that is still suitable for hand ca...

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    $35.95 - $35.95
    $35.95
    $35.95 - $35.95
    $35.95
  • Walnut, Butternut, and Basswood carving blocks set

    Starter Carving Block Set - 2" x 2" x 6" (Set of 9)

    $32.95 - $32.95
    $32.95
    $32.95 - $32.95
    $32.95

    Mixed Starter Carving Blank Set (9 PCS) This assorted set is ideal for both beginners and experienced carvers! Our team of dedicated woodcarvers wi...

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    $32.95 - $32.95
    $32.95
    $32.95 - $32.95
    $32.95
  • Woodcarving Starter Set
    Save $4.00 Save $0.00

    Starter Carving Block Set - 1" x 5" x 18"

    $43.95
    $43.95 - $43.95
    $43.95
    $39.95
    $39.95 - $39.95
    $39.95

    Mixed Starter Carving Blank Set Are you looking for a nice and easy wood for hand carving? These three popular carving species are great for both b...

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    $43.95
    $43.95 - $43.95
    $43.95
    $39.95
    $39.95 - $39.95
    $39.95
    Save $4.00 Save $0.00

  • Thins

  • Butternut Thin

    Butternut Thin

    $7.95 - $27.95
    $7.95 - $27.95
    $7.95 - $27.95
    $7.95

    The White Walnut that is great for carving! Known as Walnut’s country cousin, Butternut is closely related to black walnut and is a joy to use. Due...

    View full details
    $7.95 - $27.95
    $7.95 - $27.95
    $7.95 - $27.95
    $7.95

Butternut (Juglans cinerea)

Pricing:



Good Value

Hardness:

490

Janka

Distribution:



Eastern United States

Availability:



Moderately Available

Appearance

The color ranges from light to medium tan with contrasting grain lines that form distinct patterns. The sapwood is a pale-yellow color. The grain is fairly coarse and has a natural luster.

Workability

Butternut is wonderful to work with hand and power tools, although its softness can lead to fuzzy surfaces left behind by planing and sanding. Make sure your tools are sharp or work through to finer sandpapers.

Uses

Furniture, carving, veneer, and interior trim.

Additional Comments

Known as Walnut’s country cousin, Butternut is closely related to black walnut and is a joy to use. Due to a fungal disease, there is a rapid decline in the species and the tree is protected in Canada.

Have you made something with Butternut?

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Frequently Asked Questions About Butternut Wood

What is Butternut wood?

Butternut (Juglans cinerea), also called White Walnut, is a soft, light-colored North American hardwood closely related to Black Walnut.

How does Butternut compare to Black Walnut?

Butternut and Black Walnut are both Juglans species, but they are very different. Butternut is much softer (Janka ~490 lbf vs. Walnut's ~1,010 lbf), lighter in color (tan vs. chocolate brown), and much easier to carve and hand-tool.

What color is Butternut wood?

Butternut has a warm, light tan to pale brown heartwood, sometimes with a slight pinkish or grayish hue, and creamy white sapwood.

Is Butternut good for carving?

Yes. Butternut is one of the best North American woods for carving and hand-tool work. Its softness (Janka ~490 lbf) makes it easy to cut, it holds detail well.

What is Butternut used for?

Butternut is used for hand carving, furniture, cabinetry, millwork, gunstocks, interior trim, decorative panels, and turning.

How hard is Butternut?

Butternut has a Janka hardness of approximately 490 lbf, making it one of the softer North American hardwoods.

What finish works best on Butternut?

Butternut responds beautifully to oil-based finishes, Danish oil, and shellac.

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