Choosing wood to whittle
Selecting the right type of wood for whittling is crucial for beginners as it can greatly impact your carving experience and the outcome of your projects.
When starting out with wood carving, it's best to choose woods that are relatively soft, easy to carve, and readily available. Here are some recommended wood options for beginners.
Although the wood to be carved plays a crucial role in your whittling experience, the importance of sharp tools and good technique can not be over stated.
Wood for carving considerations
When selecting wood for carving as a beginner, it's important to consider the following:Softness:
Choose woods that are relatively soft and easy to carve to build confidence and develop carving skills.Grain Structure:
Look for woods with straight or fine grain patterns for smoother carving and detailing.Availability:
Opt for woods that are readily available at local craft stores, lumber yards, or online suppliers.Size and Cost:
Start with smaller pieces of wood to practice carving without investing too much initially.
Avoid dense hardwoods like oak, hickory, or walnut when starting out, as they can be more challenging to carve due to their hardness. As you gain experience and confidence in your carving skills, you can gradually explore carving with different types of wood to expand your creative possibilities.
The best way to determine a good carving wood is to take a few scoops out of various samples with a sharp knife, carving in all directions, particularly across the grain.
International woods
Basswood:
One of the most popular choices for wood carving beginners due to its softness and ease of carving. It has a fine, even grain that allows for smooth carving and detailing. Basswood is available in various sizes and can be found in most craft stores.Butternut:
Another soft and lightweight wood that is ideal for beginners. It has a similar texture to basswood but with a slightly darker colour and a bit more grain pattern. Butternut is easy to carve and can be used for a variety of carving projects.White Pine:
Softwood that is readily available and easy to carve. It has a straight grain and smooth texture, making it suitable for beginner carvers. White pine is affordable and can be found in various sizes at lumber yards or home improvement stores.
Cedar:
A softwood that is known for its pleasant aroma and beautiful grain patterns. It carves easily and is often used for relief carving and decorative projects. Cedar is available in different varieties, including Western red cedar and Eastern white cedar.Balsa wood:Extremely lightweight and one of the easiest woods to carve. It is often used for making small models, sculptures, and intricate details. Balsa wood is delicate and may require careful handling, but it's great for learning carving techniques.Maple:Some varieties of maple, such as silver maple or red maple, are softer and easier to carve compared to hard maple. Soft maple has a fine texture and can be carved smoothly, making it suitable for beginner carvers.Pulownia:Lightweight and fast-growing wood that is easy to carve. It has a fine grain and is often used by beginner carvers for practising and learning.
Native Australian woods
Australia is home to a variety of unique native woods that can be excellent for whittling. Here are some good Australian woods suitable for whittling. When selecting Australian woods for whittling, consider the hardness of the wood, your skill level, and the tools you have available. Some woods may require sharper tools and more careful handling due to their density, while others are more forgiving for beginners. Always ensure you're sourcing wood responsibly, respecting local regulations and sustainability practices.
Blackwood:
This is a dense hardwood with a fine texture and attractive grain. It's relatively easy to carve and finishes well, making it a popular choice among woodworkers in Australia.Huon Pine:
Huon pine is a highly prized timber known for its fine grain, ease of carving, and beautiful golden color. It's a softwood but is durable and aromatic, making it excellent for detailed whittling projects.Sheoak:
Sheoak is a hardwood with a distinctive grain pattern and a range of colors from red to golden hues. It's moderately easy to carve and polishes nicely, making it suitable for both simple and intricate whittling projects.
Tasmanian Oak:
Despite its name, Tasmanian Oak refers to several eucalypt species with light-colored timber that is easy to work with. It has a straight grain and is suitable for both beginners and experienced whittlers.Red Cedar:
Australian red cedar is a softwood with a fine texture and pleasant aroma. It's relatively easy to carve and has been historically valued for its use in furniture making and woodcraft.Ironwood:
Some Australian ironwoods, like those from the genus Erythrophleum or various Eucalyptus species, are incredibly dense and hard. They can be challenging to carve but offer durability and a unique aesthetic.