[cseymour]

Hi All,
I literally just got my Beginner's kit from Rick at Littleshavers (less than a week to get cross country -- very nice).

After all the great insight I got from my other post about practicing with Oak, I want to get some basswood to use.

My question is where do most people get their basswood and what sizes do most people get?

I know this is a question with no right or wrong answer, I am just curious. Also, does anyone know of any local suppliers? I am located about 70 miles north of NYC.

Thanks and Thanksgiving.

Chris

[RussL.]

I'll bite.

While I know that some get tired of the WCI Wood Supplier Mantra, THE source for basswood is:
http://www.heineckewood.com/

I just started carving less than a year ago so I can relate to your dilema.
I got a bunch of different sizes, for whittling, in-the-round and relief carving.

I got the largest pieces (more or less) I could imagine needing and cut some of those up with a table saw at work to make smaller blocks and plaques to give myslef even more ready-at-hand choices in my tiny workshop at home.

I also bought a few pieces of hardwood elsewhere, Itasca wood I think, to do other stuff with as time and experince progressed...some red oak, walnut and cherry, just for fun.

Lastly I bought a selection of beautiful butternut from Brian Bailey at:
http://www.baileyswoodworking.com/butternut.htm

I also cut some of that up at work.

Since I have yet to settle on one particular type of carving this selection is really handy and I find that raw material is not a limitation. No matter what my interest turns to I probably have a piece or two that will work, or can be cut to size to work.

...Well, you asked! ;-)

RussL.

[BobT]

I will second the recommendation for Heinecke. Best wood I have ever had and I can't find bad wood very much cheaper. I do not buy anything but their wood now.
Bob

[cseymour]

Thanks guys,
I apologize for this post. Right after I posted I saw there was a Woods and Materials forum. I am just so excited about getting started. I got my tools and now I am really chomping at the bit.

Thanks for your posts. RussL and Bob they are both very helpful replies.

Thanks again and enjoy your Turkey Day.

.

Chris

[flcracker]

if you have a woodcrafters near you they have a good selection .
I have also been using white pine, it carves nice and you can get
it from home depot.

Rick

[Mitchell]

Originally Posted by cseymour

Thanks guys,
I apologize for this post. Right after I posted I saw there was a Woods and Materials forum. I am just so excited about getting started. I got my tools and now I am really chomping at the bit.

Thanks for your posts. RussL and Bob they are both very helpful replies.

Thanks again and enjoy your Turkey Day.

.

Chris

Thanks for letting everyone know that you have your answer....

[mdallensr]

While I'm another booster of Heineke's, there is another source of carving wood in New England:

http://www.tuckawaytimber.com/

I've used them for butternut, and they are as helpful as henieke's in making special blanks. Mike

[Anda G]

Hi, I am also just starting out.

I ordered some wood from Itasca. They are just about as fast as Little Shavers.

I know you have heard it a million times, but I am gonna tell you again. Wear your glove. I clamped some wood down and didn't even think about the glove that little shavers sent. I have my first carving and first cut thumb! It's tiny, but, still.

Have fun.

Andagail

[mdallensr]

Andagail, your thumb will get even tinier if you keep carving pieces off of it. Mike

[Anda G]

Hehehe!
I know!