Carving Wood | Which Wood is Best for Carving?
Woodcarving is one of the oldest and most rewarding hobbies. With just a few tools and a piece of wood, you can create a masterpiece. However, choosing the right type of wood can be confusing for beginners. This guide introduces some of the most popular woods to help you start your carving journey and decide which wood is best for your projects.
Hardwood vs. Softwood
Before exploring specific wood types, it’s helpful to understand the difference between hardwoods and softwoods.
In general, harder woods require more force to carve. Many woodcarvers prefer using mallet tools with hardwoods for better control. The mallet delivers a short, impactful blow that allows for more precise and controlled strokes.
For detailed work, especially on smaller carvings or when using softer woods, palm tools are often sufficient. These require less force and are ideal for fine, intricate cuts.
Types of Wood
🪵 Limewood
Also known as Basswood, Limewood is a favourite among carvers. It is a soft, creamy-white wood that is easy to work with and perfect for intricate designs. Its tight grain reduces the risk of breaking at the edges—especially helpful for beginners—and it yields a smooth, clean finish. Limewood is also widely available and affordable, making it an excellent choice for practice and skill-building.
🪵 Oak
A classic hardwood, Oak is ideal for outdoor and large-scale projects due to its strength and durability. However, its hardness and porous nature make it challenging to carve accurately. For this reason, it is less suitable for beginners or detailed work.
🪵 Walnut
Walnut is another popular choice, especially among furniture makers. This hardwood features a rich, dark brown colour that is attractive even without staining. It has a fine, open grain that carves beautifully and highlights the wood’s natural patterns.
🪵 Maple
Maple has a fine, straight grain and offers a superior finish. It is a hard, dense wood that can be challenging for beginners but is ideal for experienced carvers looking to create detailed sculptures.
More Great Woods for Carving
🪵 Cherry
Cherry is a hardwood with a warm, natural colour. It shares some properties with limewood but has fewer imperfections, making it easier to carve. It also takes well to wood-burning and finishing techniques.
🪵 Sycamore
Sycamore is a versatile wood with properties similar to lime, though slightly harder. It is also a good option if you plan to use coloured stains.
🪵 Poplar
Also known as Tulipwood, Poplar is an excellent carving wood thanks to its straight, uniform grain and workability.
💡 Note: Woods from fruit or nut trees generally make good carving materials due to their tight grain and hard pith.
Where to Buy Wood for Carving
For small projects, wood blanks are readily available from various online retailers.
For larger projects, consider reaching out to local carving or woodturning clubs for advice on sourcing timber. You can also search for local timber merchants or sawmills, many of which can cut and size wood to your specifications.
New to Carving?