I'm looking to carve some detailed characters and I want to know what type of wood works best for that. I've heard varying opinions, and I'm curious what others have found successful. Any recommendations?
3 Answers
For detailed work, hardwood is definitely a go-to, but it requires some serious tools and a bit of muscle to get the hang of it. If you’re looking for softer woods, basswood is a fantastic option, and it'll really depend on what’s available in your area too. You might want to consider mentioning that in your post because it really affects the carving process.
So far, wild cherry has been my favorite wood to carve with, along with other fruit trees. Generally, harder woods are better for picking up fine details, so if you're thinking of carving something like a puppet head, starting with fruit woods would probably be a good choice.
I have a lot of beech and ash nearby, and honestly, they can be a pain to carve. But I really enjoy working with birch occasionally, and fruit trees like apple and cherry wood carve pretty nicely. If you have access to walnut or faux mahogany, they might be decent, but don’t expect them to handle 3D detailing well—they’re better for flatter designs.