How many pen blanks can you get on a Spruce Burl

[Clarence Martin]

Anyone know approximately how many pen blanks you can get from an Alaskan Spruce Burl that is say, football or Basketball size ?

[Doug W Swanson]

That depends. Are you talking complete 3/4x3/4x5" wood blanks or a combination of full size and Sierra size blanks? You could also take some of the smaller pieces and add some resin to get these:

278643

[Clarence Martin]

Complete 3/4x 3/4 x 5 Blanks.

[Richard Coers]

Really? You'll get more from a basketball size than a football size. Also curious if you will get more from an Alaskan spruce burl vs a maple burl? Honestly Clarence, unless we know the exact volume and quality of the burl, no one will know until it's cut.

[Dan Hintz]

I shoot for 7/8" to take care of the big pens, usually 5" long... if the piece is not large enough to have meat in the middle, you can add resin like Doug shows. If you know what pens you're working for, you can reduce the thickness/length appropriately for more blanks.

[Brian Brown]

Just one, but your pen will be shaped like a basketball or a football. :eek::D It is really hard to say, because when you get into the blank, you may find cracks, voids, inclusions, rot, rocks etc. It's like that old commercial. How may licks does it take to to get to the center of a tootsie pop? Let's find out. Just make a plan for best yield, and cut into it and see how many you get.