What is basswood

[fly fisher]

I know im gona sound dumb but why does everyone seem to use basswood?

[Mitchell]

Not everyone does.

It's relatively soft and the density is uniform - specically the growth rings do not make hard grain variations.

It's readily available.

[kitaye]

It is the softest of the hardwoods and grows throughout much of Northern USA and Canada. The wood is very pale and readily accepts paint and stain. It is easier to carve than most hardwoods and takes most detail very well.

That being said, I think most people choose it because you can find it in just about any craft store in chunks or sheets and is easier to find than some of the more figured woods.

[TreeWizard]

Basswood is actually American Linden. In the UK you use what is called Lime wood.

Edited the post I didn't understand you wanted to know why everyone used basswood, I thought by the title you were looking for a definition of what it is.

[fly fisher]

cool thanx everyone will have to get myself some lime wood

[Claude]

Here's one "local" source for you: Wood & Wood Carving Tools, Limewood Batons, Kirschen Wood Carving Tool Set, Leather Apron, Arkansas Smoothing Stone, Japanese Plywood, Mallet, Pfeil Scorp

Claude

[BrandantR]

I use it because it carves easily and holds detail well. I also use aspen that carves about the same and I can find it locally.

[Robson Valley]

I really want to go on a lecture/rant about wood anatomy. . . but FEAR NOT! I won't.
Try to find several woods and do the same cuts in each. Coarse and fine work. The comparative experience will be far more useful than my technical rubbish.

[fly fisher]

I like a good rant so please rant all you want

[Buffalo Bif]

Being grown fairly commonly here in N America makes Bass available and relatively inexpensive. The pale color and closed pore construction lends itself to painting, already mentioned I think- contrast it to Spanish Cedar, one of my favs to carve- it has pores to contend with, a brown color that affects paint colors, and is both expensive and a little hard to find. Alaskan yellow Cedar, another great wood to carve- hard to find, and costly when you do.
BrandantR, I have to go find some aspen now....