How to use these exotic woods?

[Walter]

A friend of mine who builds cabinets and furniture just gave me pieces of the following woods to try carving with. I thought it might be interesting to get your comments on some of them. I have only carved on pieces of SPF (Sprue/Pine/Fur) and basswood so far. I am looking for woods adequate for carving small insects with thin legs. Should I avoid any of these?

Aeromatic Redwood
Purple Heart
Quilted Cherry
Zebra
Blood Wood
Bacody
Bubinga (African Rosewood)
Cherry
Poplar
Qtr Sawn White Oak
Qtr Sawn Red Oak
African Mahogany
African Wenge
Beech Wood

[tucker1931]

Walter, I have a great idea for ya. In order to save you a lot of grief (and I'm only thinking of you) I would put all that JUNK in a bag, put a tag on it and send it to me up here in cold Ontario Canada. And that's my final offer. (smile
cliff

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Some of those are awfully hard, but if your carving something with very fine detail or little support they will work. Not with a knife or chisels though. I use files and rifflers on the really hard stuff like purpleheart. Be prepared to spend some time and a little aggravation. But worth it in the end because the pieces will be really unique.

[squbrigg]

Quite a wide range of woods there, and of density. Some you will only be able to power carve them, but be careful of the dust and they can be quite an irritant or even toxic, so take precautions. You will have fun with color and texture, but all will carve, just some easier than others. Have fun.

Bob

[Walter]

Cliff, I think I will wait for warm weather and put myself in a bag and send it to you. Got room for a spare carver for the summer?
Ed, I guess I need to get some files and rifflers to test some of this wood. I am carving a scorpion about 2 inches long in basswood and I have broken the tail off twice, broken legs and one lower pincher. Most of this from gripping it too hard with my hand glove.
Bob, I will wear my breathing mask when cutting the woods I am not familiar with. I was already warned about how dangerous Bubinga can be to breathe. I guess I may as well learn a little power carving to boot. I have a couple of diamond tips to try out. I have a lot to learn about carving but am not in a hurry. Thanks for the tips.
Walter

[tucker1931]

Walter, anytime ya wanna come be sure to bring the old fishin poll and of course some of those scraps of wood ya got in that bag.
Cliff

[Robert Cahill]

I think with that variety of wood I would combine carving and intarsia

[xsailer]

You might read the attached comments about Purple Heart wood. I wouldn't want the experience again. By the way, I've since worked Purple Heart wearing my cloth mask and had no problems.

Sick breathing wood dust?

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

If I had that kind of wood, I would be making more pens on my lathe! lol

[squbrigg]

You can laminate a couple of contrasting pieces together and make great knife handles. Experiment.

Bob