Carving wood comparisons

[genes]

I have been watching Mr. Gene Messer's videos for awhile now and I am amazed at the ease at which the wood comes off when he is carving.

Naturally, after I watch these videos I'm all fired up to carve and the wood chips are mute in comparison.

I am using basswood, I strop my cutting tools religiously, but nothing in comparison.

I know large chips isn't the goal, but I am wondering if the different softwoods that are being used for carving are more easier to carve or is it perhaps the knife that is being used?

[Riverman]

I had the same problem and I saw a thread about sharpening your knife and I tried it and I started cutting larger chips. It is all about the no-bevel angle. Just sharpen and strop with knife flat.
Bob

[Ed Redwine]

Basswood is absolutely great to carve but basswood can differ. Basswood from Missouri for example seems to be harder than than the great wood from Wisconsin. Gene uses great basswood and his knives are very very sharp. The fastest deterent to carving is a dull tool. Sharpen correctly and strop often...then enjoy.
Ed

[Eddy-Smiles]

Both Bob and Ed make excellent points! To add to Ed's comments...all basswood is not created equal. Location, time of the year cut, part of the tree, and time and method of curring, all come into play.

[scooter]

Ditto on the sharp blades and the difference in basswood.

Another point is that Gene has undoubtedly made those specific cuts numerous times, and can plunge right in with confidence, having a better idea of where the blade needs to go and to stop.

S~