JRay
New Member
I once made an attempt to carve an eagle out of elm, and I didn't get back to it for a couple months and found it to be cracking, therefore I never finished it. Is a certain species better than others. Thanks,
What is the best wood for carving?
- Thread starter JRay
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Husky137
Addicted to ArboristSite
I supply hemlock and white pine to a local carver. I don't know if that is because it is good for carving, or because its cheap. She makes some cool stuff out of it though.
John Paul Sanborn
Above average climber
It depends on what you are doing with it, if carving wet, then a dryer wood is better, since it will move less.
If you are going to carve dry blocks then soft, straight grained woods like basswood and butternut. They are very forgiving and easy to use. Basswood is a favorite for painted carvings like decoys. Very boring grain though, sorta like plain vanilla.
If you are going to carve dry blocks then soft, straight grained woods like basswood and butternut. They are very forgiving and easy to use. Basswood is a favorite for painted carvings like decoys. Very boring grain though, sorta like plain vanilla.
sawyerDave
ArboristSite Operative
Carving wood
Almost any wood can be carved. A favorite around here is catalpa.
Almost any wood can be carved. A favorite around here is catalpa.
timberwolf
Addicted to ArboristSite
Butternut is pretty, but tends to fuzz a little unless tools are sharp, cedar can be nice too but does split easy.
One thing to prevent cracking to tp put the finished work in the freezer for a couple months after working. The moisture is drawn out evenly and cracking and warping is limited.
One thing to prevent cracking to tp put the finished work in the freezer for a couple months after working. The moisture is drawn out evenly and cracking and warping is limited.
John Paul Sanborn
Above average climber
For turning greenwood blanks I will double bag in paper grocery bags and place them in a cool place, like the basement or garage floor. They dry sloser, so the wood moves less.
Don't know if it will work for fine cravings, but maybe if it's a roughed blank?
Adkpk
Addicted to ArboristSite
I just got done sanding some hemlock floors. I noticed it was very splintery. I also have some slabs drying in the yard and it is checking a lot. I don't see how that would be good for carving.
Almost any wood can be carved. A favorite around here is catalpa.
You took the words out of my mouth! Catalpa is a great carving and turning wood - interesting grain and VERY stable - very little shrinkage in any direction. I find it about as hard as basswood and not quite as hard as sassafrass. You would think the coarse grain would have hard and soft rings, but it's really pretty consistent.
The best carving wood is FREE wood! Cracking is a part of the deal when using whole logs. Put a kerf down the back to relieve some of the stress of drying. Also keep your carving away from heat sources,put a plastic garbage bag over it and turn it inside out every day so it won't get moldy. You can varnish it if you're not going to get to it for a while, then just carve it again. Basically, the slower it dries, the less it will crack.
Fordman99
ArboristSite Member
dumb ?...sorry!!!
sorry guys, just seen a few responses from the north east,(Md.,W.V.) what is "Catalpa" wood? i've never heard of it??...(From southern PA.)
sorry guys, just seen a few responses from the north east,(Md.,W.V.) what is "Catalpa" wood? i've never heard of it??...(From southern PA.)
It's sometimes called catawba or "stogie tree". It's easily recognized by the long slender seed pods in late Summer and Fall.
lumberjackchef
Addicted to ArboristSite
Here is a link that will show some pics of the two major catalpa species:
http://www.treehelp.com/trees/catalpa/catalpa-types.asp
BIG JAKE
Let’s go Brandon!
Got a good chuckle out of "stogie tree".
opcorn: Wonder what made 'em think of that?Zac
ArboristSite Lurker
A work buddy of mine says that American elm is the best for carving, but you need to put some type of oil or varnish on it immidiately after carving.
twoclones
ArboristSite Guru
Elm Carving
I have carved elm but it sure would be low on my list of favorites. Cedar, spruce and sycamore are all very good carving woods. Both of these pics are carved from the same elm stump. http://www.woodhacker.com/stumps.html
I have carved elm but it sure would be low on my list of favorites. Cedar, spruce and sycamore are all very good carving woods. Both of these pics are carved from the same elm stump. http://www.woodhacker.com/stumps.html
andysheffield
New Member
Over here (UK) Laburnum is sought after, nice contrast between the dark brown heartwood and light sapwood makes for some funky carvings.
carvinmark
Addicted to ArboristSite
I like woods that have a contrast, as long as they aren't too hard to carve.
s7ylin
New Member
Basswood has always been the best wood for carving for me. I've only used hardwood a couple times, but my tools aren't that sharp to withstand that much tension.
From my reading n study bass is the softer easier to carve but will not carry detail as well as catalpa, which is about fifty percent heavier and holds details better .l am trying to find some catalpa trims or drops from tree services around to experiment.Carving wood
Almost any wood can be carved. A favorite around here is catalpa.
