What wood should I use?

[Berserko]

Hi guys, first of all, I hope to get along with you all. I'm new at this, I always wanted to start doing ice sculpture but when I found wood sculpture I took a liking to it. I have just started, trying to do a minitotem (mixing relief and 3D) but the wood I chose has been giving me headaches. It is quite hard, I had to do most of the work by hammering and when I started carving the tools (and my hands) started suffering, but still I will end this one. The thing is, I wanted to ask for suggestions about what type of wood I should use from here on. Because of some circumstances, I have access to some types of wood (I'm spanish by the way, in the mediterraneal area). I'll list them here: In big amounts: Carya illinoinensis, Prunus dulcis ,Pinus halepensis, Olea europaea Light amounts: Quercus ilex, Ceratonia siliqua In tiny amounts: Cupressus I know that depending on the uses and final result I want, I should use one or another, but for now (since I'm new), I'll stick to 3D small to medium figures and maybe I'll try to do some relief. Thanks for the time, I hope to be of help in the future. PD: I don't know if it's me or the forum is made this way but I squematized my post very well to ease lecture, with periods, paragraphs and all, but it came out like this so sorry.

[Claude]

Welcom to the forum!

According to one of my wood databases, the common names for your woods are

Carya is pecan
Prunus is almond
Pinus is aleppo pine
Olea is olive
Quercus is holly oak
Ceratonia is carob
Cupressus is one of the cypresses

I have carved a small amount of olive. It's very hard and dense, but is absolutely beautiful wood. I'd suggest using power carving tools on it...
Claude

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Welcom to the forum!

Dave

[Berserko]

Thanks to both of you. Claude, about the olive wood that's precisely the one I tried and I'm doing it without power carving tools but this'll be the last time because, more than my hands, it hurts the tools too much and I've got to sharpen them too often so it's quite tiring. It also ruined my v-tool (it was of bad quality but still..it got damaged the very first time I used it while the razors which are frailer didn't suffer). For the time being I won't be looking for power carving tools so I guess I'll have to leave behind the pecan and the olive? Which of those woods is softer? Thanks

[Robson Valley]

Welcome! For starting out, I'd suggest woods which are more even-grained and softer than the Olea. So, try both the Pinus and the Cupressus. Look for straight-grained, clear/knot free pieces.
Easier on both the tools and your hands. The tools won't change but your hand strength will improve with steady work.

[Claude]

I agree with RV - I haven't carved cypress myself, but a lot of people of the forum carve an American cypress with good success.

Claude

[sashadoc]

Welcome. I cant give you any advice different than that offered. I can say this. Don't worry too much about punctuation and sentence structure. You won't get "lectured". I've seen whole paragraphs, here, without any punctuation!!! It doesn't matter how you write it as long as you just write. We'll understand what you're saying. Again, welcome to the forum.
Tim

[Nomad]

I have carved cypress and it's very nice wood to carve.

[Berserko]

Thank you all for your responses, I will take them all into account from here on out.

[Berserko]

By the way, yesterday morning I ended the micro-totem. It was hard work, from here on I'll use pecan wood because that olive was really hard.

I'll post the photos here and, even though it's my first carving, I hope you give me a scolding about the things that could be improved, things that are simply wrong, etc. I'm a perfectionist person so I don't mind scoldings at all, more like I'd appreciate it.
Thank you all for your kind help

PD: the painting and varnishing were done quickly and so because it was a present I had to give that evening so...it didn't go as well as could have gone.