I recently picked up a piece of Sequoia wood from a secondhand store, and since it's my first time carving this type of wood, I decided to carve the same little bird I always do to get the feel for it. While carving, I noticed that the growth rings in the Sequoia seem significantly harder than the rest of the wood. Is this something typical for Sequoia, or is it just a random characteristic of this particular piece?
2 Answers
Definitely a trait seen in various softwoods, including fir and pines. The growth patterns change based on the seasons, and that's also a big part of why high-quality wood like what's used in Stradivarius violins is so special; those trees grew in harsher conditions that created really dense wood, which helps with sound quality and vibration.
Yeah, it's pretty common for Sequoia and some other pines too! The harder rings often come from tougher growing conditions, like colder winters that lead to denser wood growth. So, you're not alone in noticing this difference!
True, but even among good woods, not all violin makers achieve that same quality. The old wood used by Stradivari has a uniqueness due to its tight grain that you just don’t find today.