This video is by Jodee from Inspire Woodcraft. It’s a hands-on experiment that tests how various hardwoods react to the Shou Sugi Ban technique—a traditional Japanese method of burning wood to create a textured, weather-resistant finish.
While Shou Sugi Ban is typically applied to softwoods like cedar and pine, Jodee explores whether hardwoods like oak, walnut, and maple can deliver similar visual results. The process involves controlled burning followed by brushing to reveal the grain. But as Jodee shows, hardwoods don’t always behave the same way.
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Hardwoods Selected for the Burn Test
To keep the test fair and informative, Jodee chose six common hardwoods often used in furniture and interior projects. These included oak, maple, walnut, hickory, cherry, and mahogany.
Each board was cut to the same size and sanded to 220 grit before burning. This preparation ensured that the results would reflect each wood’s natural characteristics rather than flaws in prep work.
Tools and Finishing Methods Used
Jodee used a small propane torch—something many hobbyists already have in their shop—to apply heat. It’s a practical tool for this kind of testing and simulates the approach most woodworkers would take when trying Shou Sugi Ban at home.
Two variations of the technique were tested: a full char finish where the surface is deeply blackened, and a burn-and-brush finish where the char layer is partially removed to expose the grain. Brushing was done with an 80-grit flap wheel on a drill, which Jodee finds to be both fast and effective.
What the Burn Revealed
The experiment quickly showed that hardwoods don’t respond to burning the same way softwoods do. In most cases, the surface simply darkened without developing the deep char texture that’s so common with species like cedar.
One of the biggest takeaways was how long it took to create visible effects. Woods like maple, walnut, and hickory needed significantly more time and heat to begin charring. Even then, the change was mostly surface-level and lacked the signature cracked texture often associated with Shou Sugi Ban.
Visual Contrast Falls Short
Another key difference was the lack of visual depth after brushing. With softwoods, brushing reveals lighter grain lines beneath the char, creating a striking contrast. But with hardwoods, the color remains mostly flat.
Even after brushing, most of the boards appeared dull or muddy in tone. The surface lost its crisp grain definition and didn’t deliver the layered, tactile look that makes Shou Sugi Ban so desirable on softer species.
Oak Shows the Most Promise
Among the woods tested, oak performed slightly better than the others. Its grain pattern retained a bit more texture after brushing, and the charred version offered a more interesting surface overall.
That said, the improvement was modest. Even oak failed to deliver the dramatic contrasts that softwoods produce with much less effort. Jodee notes that while oak might be worth exploring further, the time investment doesn’t always pay off visually.
Additional Factors to Consider
Applying an oil or stain finish after burning will darken hardwoods even more, which may further reduce contrast. While this can help seal the wood for durability, it also mutes any remaining detail in the grain.
It’s also worth noting that burning hardwoods produces more smoke and can be harder to control due to their density. This makes the process slower, messier, and more challenging for beginners.
What This Means for Woodworkers
For anyone interested in trying Shou Sugi Ban on hardwoods, this video serves as a helpful reality check. If your goal is high contrast, visible grain, and a rich textured surface, hardwoods may not deliver the results you’re looking for.
However, if you’re after a more subtle, dark finish and are working with oak, you might find some value in experimenting. Just be prepared for a longer process and tempered expectations.
Summary of Key Results
- Hardwoods like maple, walnut, hickory, and cherry char slowly and unevenly.
- Brushing does little to reveal grain detail or texture.
- Oak produced the most interesting finish, though still subtle.
- Full charring is time-consuming and lacks dramatic contrast.
- Finishing products will darken the surface further and may reduce any grain visibility.
Final Thoughts
Jodee’s test provides valuable insights for anyone curious about using this ancient burning technique on modern hardwoods. It’s clear that while the method works well for softwoods, hardwoods don’t respond in the same visually impactful way.
Still, experiments like this help woodworkers make informed decisions about their materials and finishes. If you’re going for subtle color variation or experimenting with surface effects, oak may be worth a closer look.
Support Jodee by visiting his online store here: https://inspirewoodcraft.com/collections/all.