Basswood or White Pine?

[bcarvings]

Hi,
I noticed my book, 'Carving The Civil War, with Tom Wolfe' says to use basswood, but would it make a big diffrence if I used white pine? What is the difference between them? I read white pine is easier to carve, but holds detail better. How can it gold detail better if its softer? Doesn't make sense.

[squbrigg]

Take a little piece of each and try them. it;s easier than explaining and neither is an expensive wood. You'll see the difference. Each has their own applications and character.

Bob

[BasketballJones]

Little bud,

They are both easy to carve. White pine has a detailed grain maybe that makes it easier to detail. It's easier than other woods if you are forced to carve against the grain, though it can get stringy when carving against the grain. I just make a few cuts in the opposite direction. You can also wet carve pine, which I have tried a few times. I have a friend who wet carves pine and that is his preferred method. It has been pointed out on this board that David Sabol, who is near your area, wrote a book on wetcarving pine. Since you are like me and from PA, I'm sure you find that white pine is plentiful and often cheaper than basswood. I prefer to strop a few times more when carving pine than basswood. Other than that, I doubt you will notice any significance in difficulty.