Where can I get lime wood?

[frogonfire]

I'm looking for some limewood to finish a carving project I've been working on. I need 2 pieces 2” x 2” x 5.5” long. I tried some basswood but the color is lighter than that of limewood and won't work for what I need. Preferably somewhere in the USA but if I have to I will pay for international shipping. Thanks for any help!

[rickm]

i might be mistaken but i thought limewood was basswood

[LBlake]

My understanding is that lime and basswood are both linden trees, but having carved both, my conclusion is that they are similar, but definitely not the same. In my experience, lime has been consistently harder and stronger, and finishes nicer than basswood.
As for color, IF you can find someone with limewood in the US (I think I did see it in large boards at some online lumber-yard in PA once), you still can't count on it being a different color than basswood. I've had limewood that was a lovely light tan color - very different from basswood, but then I've also had limewood that looked identical to basswood. So, if color is the defining characteristic that you seek, you might actually have better luck (in the US) asking around among basswood suppliers for some darker-colored basswood.

Either way, good luck! Sorry I couldn't offer much help!

[Bob K.]

I agree...I believe limewood and basswood are the same thing...both from the linden tree. I think it's just another name that is used in different parts of the world. I know you can really nice 2" x 2" northern basswood blocks from Heinecke Wood Products in Wisconsin. They are experts on carving wood...you might want to ask them there thoughts on limewood vs. basswood.

[frogonfire]

Thanks guys. I'm pretty sure that limewood and basswood are slightly different being from two different spiecies of Linden trees that are very closely related. I prefer carving basswood but I think the limewood looks better when finished as it has a richer color and a slightly more pronounced grain. The only reason I need any limewood right now is that I attended a carving class in Ireland as part of a 40th wedding anniversary trip. The class was a gift from my wife. Anyway, the wood used for the class project was limewood and when I got home and was putting some final work in on it I messed up on of the arms (they attach seperately) and when I re-carved the arm in basswood and attached it, it looked way off due to the lighter color and lack of grain pattern. Anyway, I think the instructor (Ian Norbury) will send me a small piece to finish it off. Thanks again for your help. Much appreciated.

[Claude]

For what it's worth, here's a site in the UK that sells lime: Wood & Wood Carving Tools, Limewood Batons, Kirschen Wood Carving Tool Set, Leather Apron, Arkansas Smoothing Stone, Japanese Plywood, Mallet, Pfeil Scorp

No guarantee on the quality/color, as I've not bought from them. You might look at Woodcraft or Rockler here in the US - they sometimes carry Southern basswood, which is a bit harder, and a bit darker colored, in my experience. Having said that, you might do best by carrying your carving to one of the stores and trying to match color that way...

Claude

[frogonfire]

Thanks Claude, I'll check out the website!

[arfer1943]

Any European timber merchant selling Lime should be able to post it to you. It won't break in transit.

Yandles

for example. Email them with your rquirements.