Hey everyone! I've recently taken up woodcarving, mainly to create gifts for my friends. I usually work with basswood, but this time I'm considering making something special from olive wood as a farewell gift for my friend from Vietnam. She loves olive wood, and since it's a goodbye gift, I want her to pick the material. However, I've heard that olive wood is quite hard and challenging to work with. Should I go for it even though it may be tough, or would it be better to suggest another wood type? I really want to create something memorable for her to cherish her time in Italy. Also, I have plenty of time since she's leaving in March 2026. By the way, I have a piece of olive wood I recently cut from a fallen tree near my place. Thanks for any advice!
1 Answer
Are you planning to use hand tools or power tools for this project? If you're using power tools, definitely wear a mask since olive wood can cause allergies over time. I usually carve dried olive wood, and while it carves beautifully, you have to be careful of knots and cracks. I say go for it! Just remember that when carving by knife, the cuts will be shallower with harder woods, so take your time. Also, keep in mind that the grain can be hard to get right; you'll need to reach the heartwood for that beautiful grain look!
Thanks for the tips! I’ll be using hand tools for this project, but I'm also thinking of power carving another piece for a mortar and pestle for my mom. I appreciate the heads up about the allergies!