What Type of wood to use?

[jator]

Hello, I'm new to the forums, so I just wanted to say hello.

My next carving project I'm going to do is going to be a large one (to me anyways). I'm planing on carving a chess set. King + Queen are going to be 4" pieces, Bishop Knight and rook about 3" and pawns are going to be 2" pieces. The only thing I'm going to be using is a pocket knife. Nothing else unless absolutely necessary (which i doubt).

My question is this, I have no idea what type of wood to use for the pieces. I obviously need a lighter wood and a darker wood. I don't want to use basswood, and i don't want to use something that is too "grainy" like ceder. Does anybody have any suggestions on the wood I can use? I'm thinking a hardwood like mahogany or walnut for dark, and maybe a Oak for the light, but I'm not really sure. Any help is appreciated.

-Thanks, Jason

[markken5889]

Hi Jason,

If I were going to do that project, I'd still do it in basswood and then stain the pieces light and dark. The other woods might be too hard for carving. Good luck!

Mark

[Dan Wegiel]

I agree with Mark, its going to be tough to cut into those hardwoods with just a knife.

Dan

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

If I were doing it, I would use basswood and butternut.

[chuckbolton]

i too would use basswood and butternut--is there a reason that you dont want to use basswood?

[jator]

lol I guess basswood is the way to go. The reason I wasn't planning on using basswood, is because some of the pieces are going to be really thin. Such as the top of the rook, and the kings crown. I thought using a harder wood might make this stronger and less likely to break. Again I am relatively new to carving, and don't know much about it.

[Claude]

If you have a weak area in basswood, soaking it in superglue (CA glue) will strengthen it.

Claude

[chuckbolton]

thin pieces of hardwood break also-- i have never soaked a piece in glue-- its a thought tho-- reconsider how thin you are going to make the crown and top of the rook. also look at a recent issue of wood carving illustrated ( summer issue?) there is a chess set there.

[artolver]

Cottonwood bark is good to carve and and has nice colors.....
artolver

[tomchavonelle]

Basswood and Butternut would be beautiful