Silly question

[Howie]

After laboring with inadequate saws, I was able to cut my blocks for a spirit or 5 min wizard. Now I have a silly question before I start : which way does the grain go?

[Old Codger]

Howie...NO question is a 'silly' question!!! You wouldn't believe the questions I've asked over the years (and not only wood carving questions either!!!) Ha! Nothing wrong with wanting to understand something better...many times the only way is to question it!!!
Regarding your 'which way does the grain run'... Well, the easiest way for me to tell is to look for which way the 'threads' of the wood run...it all depends upon the piece of wood and they way it grew... but if you look closely (even basswood...or other close fibered woods...), you will see what I call 'threads' of wood running in one direction...sometimes the grain will swirl around a knot (an old limb...) or obstruction in the wood, but generally the grain will run in one direction... When cutting 'with the grain'...your knife will 'glide' through it as compared to 'across' the grain where it will be much more difficult to slice... When going 'against the grain', your wood will often slice smoothy also, but the cut will 'tear' as compared to 'slice' the wood... select a highly grained wood that you can easily determine the grain path and check it out...with the grain, against the grain and across the end of the grain...you'll immediately see and feel the difference! Some woods are more difficult to determine the path of the grain, but your knife will always know and tell you!
Hope that helps and I'm sure some of the more experienced wood carvers here have better and more clear explanations...but that's what wood carving is all about...all woodcarvers want to help a fellow woodcarver out when necessary...again...no question is silly, not asking it IS!!! Safe carving to you!!!
Kenn

[Dileon]

Grain goes in the direction from toes to the top of head, or the bottom of beard to the top of head. It does not go in the direction such as from ear to ear, ...because the wood can break easy especially with the nose and lips.

[Donsexton]

Take a piece of sandpaper fold it swipe it along the wood in ONE direction. It will glide in one direction the other will give some resistance. The direction it glides in is with the grain. You can do the same thing with your finger tips if your finger tips glide that is with the grain.

[Buffalo Bif]

Bass does not show much grain on the sides, but the ends often show the annual rings, if you are looking at the annual rings the grain is running straight at your face.

[Claude]

If you can't see the annual rings on the end, dunk the end in water for a second, and the rings will pop right up (visually).

Claude

[idigjars]

Hello all. Claude that is a nice tip on how to see the rings on basswood. Thanks for the tip. Paul

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

No question is silly, that's how you learn.

Dave