How to properly utilize a burl

[Zbearclaw]

I won a whole Burl in the auction from Guru.  It is a good bit bigger than I was expecting.

It was cut in April.  How should I handle it?  Not sure about drying and such.  I will make it into as many things as possible, hopefully including a nice knife for the auction next year.

Thanks for any help guys.

[4runr]

From what I have learned by my mistakes.

Burls take a long time to dry out. Sometimes as much as 3-4 years depending on size.

Don't cut them up untill they are dry. They will check badly to the point of uselessness.

Sometimes they are full of voids.

It's a bit of a crapshoot harvesting burls, but when you get a good one it's well worth it.

I used to wonder why stabilized burl slabs are so high priced. Now I know!

Hope I didn't spoil your St Judes. I am not an expert on this subject, just my experiences.

[Zbearclaw]

Should I paint the ends of the trunk?  It is about the size of a rugby ball (larger than a regulation football).

Sounds like making a St Jude's knife for next year isn't likely...

Oh well.  I don't want to risk ruining it.

[JMSmithy]

Hey Z,

Any pix?  I'm an Adirondack burl nut.  Love to see what you have.  All about drying/figuring and saeling from little bit I've learned...and I mean VERY little bit...always on lookout for a new bit of info etc.

Thx and be well... >>>->

[4runr]

I would seal the cut ends. Then store it in a dry place with some air movement.