I'm currently living in Lebanon and finding carving wood can be quite a challenge. I usually take walks to find naturally grown trees to use for whittling. So far, I've experimented with a few types of wood: yellow pine (which was really tough), cupressus (the softest, but it had a terrible grain), and lime. I'm considering giving chinaberry wood a shot but would also love to hear any other recommendations you might have!
3 Answers
If you're into exploring different woods, I recommend trying basswood (known as limewood in Europe), but also butternut, walnut, poplar, and cherry—they're all fun to carve! Don't hesitate to try whatever types are around you and find what you like best!
Hey, any free wood is a win! I haven’t carved chinaberry myself, but from what I found, it has a really beautiful wood grain that looks quite dense. That said, it might dull your tools pretty quickly, so be ready to sharpen often. But if you're okay with that, the results could be stunning!
I heard that Ancient Egyptians used Lebanese cedar for their carvings. I'm not sure how readily available it is, but it could be a cool option to check out!
Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll definitely look into those options.