BassWood_hard as rock and butter soft?

[Mischief]

Started on a Olde World Santa Ornament ( Mark Gargac's tutorial) and what I notice was that the block of basswood I was using was like butter...and it was lighter then a similar block the same size. I had a dicken of a time carving a sheep the other day out of a smaller piece, it was hard ( partially why you saw me complaining about my v-gouge earlier...the other part was because I suck at sharpening it but getting better, thanks to all the help you guys gave.

Anyone with a quick tutorial on picking these blocks? Do I want MR Butter or Do I want MR ROck?

[Mischief]

I soo must learn to research more before i ask questions. Here is an article in the one of the issues that helps alot.

http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.co...uying-Wood.pdf

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Buy your wood from a reputable dealer and you will get good wood.....I bought a box full from I believe it was Brian on here and it was good wood, also Heinecke sells great wood...........they are places in Minnesota that sell good wood......a little research will get you results.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I've got a personal rule on buying basswood. If the dealer isn't located in Wisconsin, Minnesota for Michigan I pass. There's other good northern places too, but that's my rule.

[Mischief]

My first batch and current batch came from Pearl Paint!! All three carvings that I have done, the wood felt different. The santa now, its almost like a biscuit...very crumbly. I figure that is not what I want, but what I get for paying 7.90 for 6 starter blocks of varying sizes!! Minnesota it is. Heinecki from now on!

[Donna_T]

Here's one trick to help with hard basswood. Get an inexpensive little spraybottle and fill it 1/2 full with rubbing alcohol and then finish filling it with water. Spray the area of basswood you're ready to carve and it will make it it a bit easier to carve it. As it dries out, spray it again. It doesn't seem to hurt the carving. I like to use in on endgrain or anywhere I hit a a hard wood spot.

Donna T

[whitlin-al]

I am new to carving and the few pieces of bass wood i've used so far have been either very hard or soft. Thanks Donna for the spray bottle trick, it works great!! -)

[TreeWizard]

I go to a local lumber yard that makes handrails out of Basswood. If there is any blemish in the wood they sell lengths of basswood 1 7/8" in diameter and 6 ft long for 70 cents and roughcut cutoffs 6" to 10" wide by 2" thick and 10" to 18" long for $1.00. If I get a tough piece, It's no big thing to use it for kindling.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

You are a very lucky person!