I'm looking for some recommendations on the best types of wood to use for carving. I typically work with a chisel and hammer for various projects, both medium and large, and I sometimes do smaller ones, too. While I usually just grab whatever scrap wood I have, I'm interested in finding smoother, less grainy options to get better results when purchasing wood. What do you all suggest?
3 Answers
If you're after smoothness, basswood is a top choice since it has almost no grain and is super easy to carve. Butternut is also nice for its beauty, though it’s a bit harder to find. On the flip side, cherry can be tricky for detail, and hardwoods like ash don’t lend themselves well to carving either. Pine and spruce might not give you the detail you want either.
My go-to woods are cottonwood bark, basswood, and butternut. But if I had to choose just one, I'd go with cottonwood bark—it's fantastic for carving!
Cedar has served me well and is pretty smooth overall. For my initial carvings, I used some leftover decking scraps—worked like a charm! Also, if you're planning to use straight chisels, consider investing in some curved gouges; they can make a huge difference.