Live-edge wood is one of the most beautiful uses, though manufacturing processes like traditional wood primarily unalter it. Since it was first used to create furniture in the 1940s, artists have adapted the same techniques to make live-edge wood phone cases and furniture pieces like tables, shelves, and cutting boards.
We’ve been using live edge wood for years to design one-of-a-kind phone cases, and in this ultimate guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about working with or purchasing live edge wood.
Discover the beauty of live edge wood and all it has to offer, from the first uses of the unique wood style to how to work with it as a rustic woodworker and how to shop for it to the reason you probably want to buy it in the first place.
What is Live Edge Wood?
Live-edge wood is unfinished wood that retains the natural outer edge, celebrating the tree's original form. Unlike wood you’d use to build a table or bench, it looks like it was pulled straight out of the forest and dropped into your home.
Live edge wood, also known as natural edge wood, got its name because of the raw, untrimmed edge of the wood, quite literally the “live edge” of the tree. Other wood forms have the live, natural edges removed, but this is where live edge wood stands out. It is important to note that the bark is stripped from the live edge before use because it’s the weakest point of failure.
Wood Characteristics
In addition to live edges, imperfections like knots and voids aren’t removed—they’re the focal points of the wood piece.
While any tree species could technically yield live-edge pieces, hardwoods like oak, walnut, and maple are famous for their strength, durability, and visually appealing grain patterns. At Carved, we primarily use Buckeye and Maple Burls, but when given the chance, we work with Oak, Willow, Elm, and Redwood Burls.
Origins of Live Edge
Live-edge wood have existed since the 1600s when early American settlers quickly needed to build homes and functional furniture. However, it was first used for artistic purposes in the 1940s by a Japanese architect named George Nakashima. He’s believed to have been the first to use live-edge wood for furniture design, a style that has now become standard practice in rustic furniture.
This preservation method allows for a rustic element in furniture design. It showcases knots, burls, worm paths, and other natural features in the wood, adding to its aesthetic appeal.
The popularity of live-edge furniture stems from a mix of aesthetics, utility, and sustainability. Each live-edge piece is distinct, showcasing the inherent beauty of the wood with its irregularities, knots, and burls. It's a celebration of organic form and an embodiment of the 'wabi-sabi' philosophy, finding beauty in imperfection. Individually, wabi means "less is more," and sabi means "attentive melancholy," which is the perfect analogy for live-edge wood art.
How to Select the Perfect Piece of Live Edge Wood
Wood Sourcing and Cutting Techniques
The traditional school of thought in woodworking and lumber sourcing is to pick the trees that look “the best.” This means no imperfections. But when sourcing live-edge wood, you want to choose trees with dramatic features like knots, burls, and figures. Different species have different colors, grain patterns, and durabilities, so these will play a role in your source tree, depending on your artistic vision.
The cutting technique for live edge wood is significantly different from standard lumber. The point of live edge wood isn't to mill it into a uniform plank. Instead, full slabs of the tree are cut, keeping the tree's natural edge intact. Generally, you’ll need a circular saw or jigsaw to cut the live edge slab into your desired shape & size. If you bought a pre-cut piece of live edge, a table saw or chop saw can further trim the piece into the desired shape.
One final point about sourcing live edge wood is that it’s generally considered sustainable. The reason is that these burled & knotted trees are considered waste for the traditional lumber market, so turning them into art is a more sustainable option than simply discarding them.
Choosing the Piece
Depending on what you’re building or creating, there are two significant factors that you’ll need to consider: strength and durability. For example, a bench or table requires a sturdier slab of wood because of the weight it will have to support over the years. While strength and durability matter in wooden phone cases, an iPhone will never be under as much physical stress as a massive dining table.
To get the best piece of live-edge wood, research the species best suited for your art. Check for cracks, splits, or knots that could weaken the structure over time. Furthermore, you must decide between single or book-matched slabs if you require added strength. Last, check for signs of insect damage or rot to avoid compromising the integrity of the wood and threatening the rest of your project.
A final thought on choosing the right piece…High-quality slabs cut from the heartwood are less prone to splitting than those from the sapwood, something to consider for weight-bearing pieces.
How to Use Live-Edge Wood
The cutting process of these live-edge wood slabs involves carefully removing the bark and preserving the raw, natural edge underneath. This attention to detail increases the rustic design appeal and adds an element of uniqueness to live-edge woodworking projects. After the cutting, the slabs are duly dried, which may take weeks or even months. The slab must attain an ideal moisture content, ensuring durability and eliminating future warping or cracking.
Finishing Techniques
Depending on the thickness, a piece of live edge wood can take six (6) months to 2 years to dry. This duration is another reason why the live edge process is so imperfect. Once it dries, the now-stable live edge wood requires finishing to enhance its natural beauty. You must use specialized tools and techniques to flatten surfaces, apply finishes, and seal the slab for long-lasting durability. Sanding gives a smooth surface while maintaining the raw look and texture. Applying finishes like oil, clear coat, or wax seals the wood and enhances its natural beauty. Once finished, your live edge wood project must be maintained with regular dry dusting with a microfiber cloth, gently lifting dust from surfaces, including those inside the grooves.
Popular Live Edge Products
At Carved, we use live edge wood to make phone cases, monoliths, and wallets.
And we’re one of the only producers of phone cases made from these unique wood slabs.
Shop Live Edge Wooden Phone Cases for the iPhone 15
These are relatively new uses of live edge wood. Traditionally, it’s been used to create massive dining and sleek coffee tables. Similarly, woodworkers have built home countertops, restaurant bar tops, and shelves. These builds result in obscurely shaped edges, which always become the topic of conversation as people gather to sit, eat, drink, and enjoy.
How to Care For & Maintain Live Edge Wood Pieces
Prevent Warping and Splitting
Live-edge wood slabs are unique, embodying the soul of the tree from which they're cut. However, they're not the easiest to maintain, as they can warp and split if not correctly maintained.
Fluctuations in temperature and humidity are the two major culprits that cause the wood to warm and split. Because of the grooves & unfinished nature of live edge wood, it absorbs & releases moisture more so than standard lumber. This causes the wood to expand & contract. The best way to manage this is to keep the piece out of direct sunlight with stable humidity. Ideally, live edge wood furniture is far from any heating vents. At Carved, we use a specific stabilization process that hardens the wood to protect against cracks and breaks. This is imperative for us because the resin that fills the tiny crevices is also adversely affected by humidity, shortening the epoxy resin's lifespan. Again, we take measures to prevent this.
General Upkeep for Longevity
General maintenance for live-edge wood pieces combines regular cleaning and timely refinishing. To clean:
- Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the surface.
- Spray wood polish is discouraged since it can fill the natural cracks in the live-edge wood.
- Remember, preserving the natural edge is vital in keeping the rustic aesthetic of the furniture.
Depending on wear and tear, your live edge furniture may require recoating every few years to retain its sheen. Opt for oil-varnish mixtures, which add to the durability while enhancing the grain and color of the wood. Let the finish cure for a week before using the furniture again.
Remember, with the proper care and maintenance, live edge wood adds character to spaces. It can be a long-lasting addition to your furniture collection. By committing to sustainable wood sourcing, appropriate finishing techniques, and regular upkeep, you're preserving a piece of furniture and honoring a tree's life.
How Much Does Live Edge Wood Cost?
Live-edge wood prices vary depending on whether you want to furnish a slab or buy a finished product for your home.
Just like any wood & art product, the price will be further impacted by the following factors:
- Quality of Wood: The wood used to create live-edge furniture is pivotal. For instance, high-quality and durable walnuts might be more expensive than other species.
- Size and Shape: Giant, uniquely shaped slabs for furniture are often far more expensive than smaller slabs for less intensive projects.
- Craftsmanship: Regarding the final product, custom live-edge tables exhibit high skill and attention to detail, invariably commanding a higher price.
- Finishing techniques: Proper finishing of live-edge wood is an art. Professionals adept in live-edge finishing techniques can elevate a piece from great to extraordinary, thereby increasing its value.
But just like any art or furniture, it's an investment. Regularly maintaining the finished product will likely increase its value over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is live edge furniture so costly?
Creating live-edge furniture is labor-intensive. It involves manual techniques that can't be automated, which adds to the expense. The process also involves sustainable sourcing, skilled cutting techniques, and meticulous finishing methods, all contributing to a higher price point.
Which types of wood are used in live edge furniture?
Live-edge furniture utilizes timber that maintains and showcases the tree's original edge. Preferred wood types include redwood, walnut, cherry, oak, sycamore, and maple. The slab's pricing is dictated by its availability, size, thickness, species, shape, and unique figures or blemishes.
What's another term for a live edge?
Live edge, also known as natural edge, is a furniture design style in which the craftsman incorporates the wood's original edge into the design.
Can live edge furniture warp?
Live edge furniture can warp if stored or used in spaces without temperature or humidity control. Typical examples include basic storage units or traditional log cabins. Correct care and maintenance can help prevent issues like warping and splitting.