subject: The Many Types of Wood you can use in Decorative Wood Carvings [print this page] The Many Types of Wood you can use in Decorative Wood Carvings
Wood carving is not just all about shapes but also focuses more on the texture and color of the wood. Different wood colors and textures can make carvings look more realistic and artistic - which is the very reason why carvers always go out of their way to find the perfect wood for that masterpiece. So here are some of the most common woods used for decorative wood carvings today.
Butternut
Butternut wood is also known as the white walnut and has a very light weight compared to the other walnut variations. It contains a fine straight grain and is medium in size. When they are finished off with oil, the wood creates a beautiful light oak hue. The fine grains and the delicate color make it perfect for detailed furniture wood carvings. The wood is also perfect for veneering.
Basswood
Commonly known as the American Lime, Basswood is most well known for its delicate, creamy white color. The wood is a favorite among beginners because it is very easy to work with. It can also be glued and attached to other pieces of wood fairly well. Basswood possesses a straight and even grain. Because of the woods workability, this makes it the perfect type to use for decorative wood carvings with finer details. The wood is commonly used for toy making, carving and turning.
Walnut
Walnut is also termed as the Black Walnut or the American Walnut. This is an extremely hardy and tough wood that can be quite a challenge to work with. The wood's grain is course, medium and straight. Walnut color can vary from deep red to creamy white. They are popularly used for furniture decorative wood carvings and turning.
Mahogany
Mahogany is an all time favorite among carvers. Mahogany is extremely popular for its deep red coloration which becomes richer with age. It is an extremely durable wood and is great for furniture wood carvings. Mahogany has a straight and even grain. But in spite of it being hardy, it is very easy to work with, even when carving fine detail. Mahogany is also used for artistic carving and turn work.
Sassafras
When it comes to its versatility, Sassafras is very similar to walnut, requiring both chisel and mallet for carving. Although its grain is straight, it has a very distinct pattern that can easily be distinguished from all the other types of wood. The wood can weigh heavier and has a creamy hue with darker grain lines. This wood is mostly used for furniture carvings and artistic decorative wood carvings.
Obeche
Obeche is famous for being very soft and has an almost undistinguishable grain pattern. Working with the wood requires very light hands because it can easily be dent and damaged with too much pressure. Knives need to be sharpened very well for better cutting strokes. The wood is commonly used for model making.
So in that next project on decorative wood carvings, pick your wood well. With the right wood type, you could be one step away to creating a masterpiece.
