Cross grain carving on basswood.

Is it possible that there is some basswood that is going to have 'grain tear' when carving across the grain, no matter how sharp the gouge, chisel, or knife?
Jerry

[mdallensr]

Yes! Basswood, particularly the center of the heartwood, can get soft or 'corky'. It will pull and tear no matter how careful you are. Look at the end-grain to see where your wood came from in the log. You might be able to power carve it with grinders or sanding wheels, but it still won't hold detail well. I've heard it has to do with improper or prolonged air drying but can't substantiate that. I know it's real, and the worst cases I've seen resulted in chunks falling out of the wood druing carving.

[Colin-Partridge]

It is my finding that the softer the wood the greater the chance of tearing is. Also if your carving cross grain or end grain as I call it that your tools are honed as sharp as possible. Sometimes, especially bass wood, your knife or gouge seems to carve ok when going with the grain but tears when going across the grain. This can be that the edge is just not sharp enough. Mind you I have broken some chisels trying to cut cross grain in some woods.
Colin

That's a particular problem with some butternut. I've found that hosing the punky spot down with wd-40 helps quite a bit sometimes. After a day or two it evaporates and you won't even know it was there, even on basswood. You'd think it would leave a stain, but doesn't. I'd like to take credit for the idea, but only read about it someplace, can't remember where. Has save a couple carvings for me.

I've done like Ed only thinned a little wood glue with water and brushed it into the wood and let it dry, the 'soft spot' will firm right up. It has to be fairly runny so it can soak into the wood.

[AlArchie]

My contribution will be that 'punky' wood, mentioned by Ed can cause some problem in cross grain carving.....a lot, or at least some of the supporting cellular structure has been destroyed by fungal attack, leaving only the longitudinal structure intact. This allows the 'grain' to push to the side as you try to cut it, resulting in some rough surfaces, even with the sharpest blades..

Al

[Kenny_S]

Ther you guys go, calling me names!!!

Thank you all for the information. I know that dull tools will tear basswood. But, I worked and worked and worked to get my tools sharp and they still tore the basswood. Then, I got some Stubai palm gouges from Whillock that were presharpened, and they were sharp!But when I tried them in this carving that I am working on, the grain tore.

I guess I need to pay more attention to the wood that I buy. I did see some mention of a reliable wood dealer on the message board the last few days. Maybe that will help

Thanks again, Jerry

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

try misting some rubbing alcohol on it as you carve!

[mdallensr]

I posted a photo of a piece of basswood I worked on (and gave up). Even if you get a carving to final form, maybe with power carving, it still won't hold detail. If you're going to carve or burn fur or feathers, or just give the wood a a natural finish, it will never present smooth surface, free of defects. Cheerfully start over if you get into a piece of wood as bad as the one in the photo. http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...&members=1