The best woods for carving
Contents |
Introduction
Wood carving requires malleable but sturdy woods for different types of wood carving, such as relief carving, whittling, carving in the round, and chip carving. As a process that can include the production of sculptures, musical instruments, furniture, and much more, it needs both soft woods for ease of carving and hard woods for a more aesthetically pleasing result.
European lime
A great choice for beginners and professional carvers. Pale white to cream in colour, lime has very subtle growth rings and is fine and even textured making it a popular choice for carvers. With sharp tools, intricate detailed work can be produced. It was the preferred wood for sculptor Grinling Gibbon who produced works in many historical buildings such as Windsor Castle, St Paul’s Cathedral and many more noted buildings.
White Pine
White pine has a medium grain texture and a cream colouring. As a soft wood, it is ideal for whittling with a simple knife. In contrast, its softness and grainy texture make it less ideal for chip carving. White pine is a good wood for carving in the round as it is easy to shape and fashion.
Basswood
With a light cream colour, basswood is both soft and easy to carve and whittle. Minimum skilled carvers or beginners can use this wood efficiently with only a knife needed. Complex designs are also easily made through the use of a hammer, a gouge, and a chisel. Chip carving isn’t advised however, as it is soft, but other carving methods are an excellent choice – particularly whittling with a knife.
European oak
European oak is a very popular hard wood. It is typically light to medium brown but there can be quite a variation in colour. The grain is straight coarse and can be interlocked. Oak has been used through the centuries for construction, cabinet work, flooring, historical carvings and so on.
Mahogany
Between a soft and a hard wood, mahogany is great for any wood carving technique, including chip carving. This wood always delivers aesthetically pleasing results, and is typically used as a base material for other projects. Mahogany has a reddish tone and requires little to no work, including wood tint and the application of veneer.
Butternut
One of the best soft woods that can be used for carving, butternut has large wood grains, it is coarse, and of a light brown colour. Whittling it with a knife or carving is very easy, and butternut is typically used by professionals because of its visible grains adding beauty to projects. Easy to work with and for any type of project, butternut is a great wood for beginners.
Sugar maple
Although one of the best woods for chip carving, sugar maple can be difficult to carve as it is a hard and dense wood. Sugar maple has a typically straight grain, with the potential for waviness, and an even and fine texture. It is great for musical instruments, veneer, baseball bats, and other speciality wood items.
Black walnut
With a medium grain, this hard wood is dark brown and hard to carve. It can provide both an aesthetically-pleasing and professional result with the right tools, but it is not typically a good wood for beginners. It does not need a lot of post-work after being worked, and it can be used for chip carving, relief carving, or wood carving. Whittling, however, can be difficult as it is a hard wood.
Cherry
This dense hard wood has a pinkish brown tint and wavy grains. It is ideal for chip carving, however, it is very difficult to whittle. It is typically an all-around good wood to work as it is stable and straight grained. When being stained, it can have blotchy results and a sanding sealer needs to be used before staining.
Related articles on Designing Buildings
- 11 things you didn't know about wood.
- Birch wood.
- Carpentry.
- Cedar.
- Chip carving.
- Forest Stewardship Council.
- Lime wood.
- Oak wood properties.
- Padauk wood.
- Pine wood.
- Properties of mahogany.
- Strapwork.
- The Art of Pyrography.
- Timber.
- Types of wood.
- Violet Pinwill, woodcarver.
- Wood figure.
- Hardwood
- History and Techniques of Woodturning
- The Uses of Wood in Construction
Featured articles and news
Download your free guide.
Four new types of prior approval for solar developments
Online Planning Portal application types from 5 September.
Election fails to spark construction industry revival
Contract awards and planning; post election.
Making diversity and inclusion easy for SMEs
The CIOB tool for companies with limited resources.
Sustainable Futures: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
BSRIA Briefing 2024, initial speakers announced.
Looking back at the UK's first Passivhaus leisure centre
Reflections on St Sidwell’s Point with CIAT.
A-Level results and electrical apprenticeships
Electrical Skills Index highlights areas with skills shortages.
One of the world's more unusual drive-throughs.
A quick introduction.
Hadrian's Wall Path and the national trails
The trails are heritage assets in their own right.
Articles on timely advice and hydraulic lime.
Building Designers Association of Australia
CIAT and BDAA sign Memorandum of Understanding.
Built Environment Inclusive partners issue statement committed to inclusion.
Building regulation requirements can have unintended consequences.
CIOB announces 2024/25 vice president
Sustainability champion Professor Saul Humphrey.
Accelerating towards a net-zero built environment.