what is the best kind of wood forcarving ?

Answer 1

Ask George Petralia...the sicilian wood carver, at the link below..

I think he would say, Maple....

Answer 2

The nature of the wood being carved limits the scope of the carver in that wood is not equally strong in all directions: it is an anisotropic material. The direction is which wood is strongest is called "grain" (grain may be straight, interlocked, wavy or fiddleback, etc.). It is wise to arrange the more delicate parts of a design along the grain instead of across it, and the more slender stalks or leaf-points should not be too much separated from their adjacent surroundings. The failure to appreciate these primary rules may constantly be seen in damaged work, when it will be noticed that, whereas tendrils, tips of birds beaks, &c., arranged across the grain have been broken away, similar details designed more in harmony with the growth of the wood and not too deeply undercut remain intact.

The point is to match the type of wood to what is being carved and then to match the grain of the individual piece to elements within the carving. No matter what wood is selected, keeping the carving tool sharp is important. There are many woods which can be used some of which follow:

The timber of lime (basswood) trees is soft and easily worked, so it is a popular wood for carving. The wood is often used for model building and intricate carving, and for making electric guitar bodies.

Tupelo wood is used extensively by artistic woodcarvers, especially for carving ducks and other wildfowl.

Oaks are hardwood trees, and the wood is commonly used in furniture, flooring, barrels, and the wood sides for some drums.

Chestnut is a wood similar to Oak and uses for Oak.

Walnut often used for furniture can provide specialty carving.

Mahogany is a very popular material for drum making, as well as A wide variety of electric guitars.

Teak is easily worked and has natural oils that make it suitable for use in exposed locations.

sycamore maple, apple, pear or plum, are also specialty woods which can work in carving..

Answer 3

A lot of wood carvers use bass wood. It is a soft wood similar to pine but doesn't have the hard grains that pine has. The only thing I don't like is that it is a light colored wood and has no character. Consequently to make it look nice you have to stain or paint it. A lot of caricature carvers use it. Personally I like butternut. It has a really good look to it and you can tell it is wood when it is finished. I usually just spray the finished carving with clear flat acrylic varnish. I have also done a lot of carving in cedar which looks nice.
You might search on line for "wood carving" and come up with some helpful sights. One such site is: http://www.chipchats.org/ They have a magazine that you can order for $14 a year but off hand I don't know how many issues you get. The illustrations on the site are kinda hard to see as they are magazine covers. One site I found that had some nice pictures of wood carving was: http://dinu31.chat.ru/eng/pub2.htm Hope this has helped..

Answer 4

Every one here wants to say which wood is the best. But it really depends on what you are doing. Iron wood for example is great wood but almost impossible to cut. and yet they make a lot of nice things with it by grinding it. Balsa is so soft you can cut it with a dull knife. and it is as light as a feather. But it would be no good for a sculpture. most soft wood make poor sculptures, but are easily worked. harder woods are slower to work but last much longer and are more durable.

Answer 5

If you are a beginning carver, I would suggest Bass wood. It is soft enough to carve, has a very regular grain pattern, and finishes beautifully. It is also readily available, and a renewable resource. (No rain forests must die for your carving).
As for the suggestion of Maple, it will be very hard on your tools, requiring constant sharpening, and has an irregular grain pattern that only the most experienced carvers understand how to manipulate.

Answer 6

Basswood = Cream colored, easy to carve, excellent for whittling and painted sculpture = Easy = Fine

Butternut = Light brown, distinct grain pattern, good for natural-finished sculpture, soft (dents easily), very easy to carve, quickly dulls tools = Easy = Course

Answer 7

pine is the best wood for carving that what my technology teacher said . remember when cutting take time, and after varnish and sand,file. it *** out a treat !!

Answer 8

it really depends on your desire outcome. I suggest you do a google for wood carving and read up on it.

Answer 9

white ...Mark me best answer please and ill give u a thumbs upoak