basswood or tupelo

[TNT]

Hi can anyone tell me which wood is better basswood or tupelo. I will be working on a deer for my fourth carving. my carving teacher likes basswood but other students have told me to use tupelo. Whats the differents? and which one is better? thank you Question Head Bange Baby

[Doug Ridley]

I use both. It usually depends on what type of carving I'm doing. If I'm using traditional tools, knives and chisels, I prefer Basswood. Using power tools I prefer Tupelo. Having said that, I often use Basswood with power tools and sometimes Tupelo with chisels. Both are good woods to carve. Try both with both methods and decide for yourself. There is no one wood that is best.

[Callynne]

I haven't tried tupelo but what Doug said is what I've been told. Basswood is a softer wood and easier to carve with hand tools. Tupelo is favored by power carvers, it doesn't 'fuzz' as badly as basswood and is supposed to hold detail better. My only suggestion, if you're hand carving, would be to try carving something else first, just a little something out of the tupelo, that might answer the question for you, before you put too much time and effort into your deer. Good luck, let us know what you decide and how it goes! Deborah

[Lynn O. Doughty]

TNT......Using knives? Basswood!
...........Using Power? Tupelo or Basswood!

Nuff said!

[TNT]

thanks eveyone I have looked at both. I have decided to go with basswood. I found that the basswood carved better with hand tools. (As all of you said
Using knives Basswood
Using Power tools Tupelo or Basswood.) I tried to carve a dog with tupelo and i found it difficult to work with. so thanks again TNT

[Kenny_S]

I use knife with tupelo also. Mainly Christmas ornaments and not had a problem with it. Of course I have carved 1 " thickness for the ornaments.

It depends on what one likes or dislikes.

[Bill]

Use Knives or Power I think the answer will be in the sanding you will find that basswood will sand smoother than the the tupelo because of the grain.
Bill