I'm new to woodcarving and have completed three models from the Beavercraft kit. Now, I'm eager to tackle something bigger. My grandmother has a couple of ducks made by her dad that all the grandkids cherish and always want to hold. I'd love to create more ducks to add to the collection, but I'm struggling to find larger wood pieces suitable for this project. I need around a 12" x 12" size to match the originals. I'm hoping to work with basswood or poplar, though I could consider balsa since they'll be kept indoors. However, I've read that basswood or poplar would be better for durability after staining. Where can I find wood of this size?
1 Answer
Just a heads up, ducks aren't actually square, so make sure about that 12x12 measurement! You're probably going to need to glue pieces together to get the required size anyway. Plus, carving something larger than 2x2 can be quite a workout with just a whittling knife. I suggest using a saw for bigger pieces; it really helps make the carving process more enjoyable! Check out this guide on making duck decoys for more tips.
I measured the ducks, and from the top of the head to the base it's about 8.7" and the tip of the beak to the tail is around 11.8". So, I'm pretty sure the size is close!