Hey everyone! I'm completely new to woodcarving and just got my first knife (a Mora 120), which I'm super excited to use. While I was out walking my dog, I stumbled upon a piece of freshly cut redwood, and I'm curious if I can carve something from it. I know it's typically recommended to start with basswood, but I'd love to avoid buying wood if I can carve something I found outdoors. What's the deal with carving greenwood? I've heard that it can be tricky and might crack or split as it dries. Any advice or insights? I'm considering whether it'd be better to wait for it to dry before carving, but I've read that could take years. Thanks a ton for your help!
3 Answers
I've not carved greenwood myself, but I've heard of a method where you put your wood in a black trash bag. You take it out for an hour each day, flipping the bag inside out, which helps manage the drying process over a few weeks. It sounds worth trying, but definitely check with more experienced greenwood carvers. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to dive in and enjoy working with your freshly found wood!
It depends on what you're planning to carve! I personally carve spoons from fresh green wood a lot. If you keep your carvings thin and even, especially at the end grain, you can avoid cracking. Generally, a thickness of about 3/4" is fine without any special drying methods. If you're thinking of making thicker pieces, try tapering the ends. Sculptural designs tend to hold up better than short, chunky figures when working with green wood. Also, using techniques like putting the wood in a paper bag or freezing it for a bit can help control drying. Just remember, carving is all about getting better with practice!
Go for it! If it cracks while drying, think of it as adding character to your piece. And if you're worried about cracks, you can also dry it in the oven at 300°F for about four hours. Carving green wood can get complicated if you add a lot of fine details since it will distort as it dries, but it mainly depends on the wood type. Some hardwoods are less prone to cracking than others.