Bird carving and Wood Choice

[foamer01]

Hi,
I have a question. I am a nearly new carver and planning on doing a couple of (painted not natural) birds. I first thought of using Basswood however after doing some reading sounds like Basswood has a tendency to fuzz up. I purchased some butternut, but wondering now if the grain will cause me a problem. So I need some advice. Does Butternut work well for carving birds? Will Butternut be hard to carve birds because of the grain? Do you find Basswood works well for bird carving? Thanks for your help.
Foamer

[Paul Adkins]

I use both Basswood and Tupelo for carving birds. Never used Butternut for birds so I can't say. Tupelo is my choice for birds when power carving. You can use a defusser on Basswood. Both hold detail well. Hope this helps.

[mobjack68]

Butternut will give you some trouble when you get ready to paint. The springwood is very porous and will take some doing to get enough paint in it to get it smooth. Butternut carves remarkably well, endgrain slices unbelievably...very much like basswood. Basswood would be my 1st choice for anything that would be painted. Much more consistent grain.....

[Bill V]

I perfer Tupelo for my bird carvings.

Bill

[Tom Park]

Your two best choices are baswwood and tupelo for painted birds. Butternut is a good choice for natural finish but I wouldn't try to paint it. If you do knife carving, I would recommend basswood. While some people get excellent results carving tupelo, it requires very sharp tools. For power carving, it is excellent. Fuzzing is an occasional problem with basswood but I have not encountered the problem for some time. My basswood comes from northern Minnesota and is excellent quality. If you can get good quality basswood that would be my recommendation.

Tom

Tom Park - Wildlife Art

[Benjamin]

Go with the tupelo. Type in tupelo and do a search and you can find alot of good sellers

[foamer01]

Thanks to all who have responded, everything listed makes good sense to me. Have a great day!

[markken5889]

Hi Foamer,

I agree with Tom, above. I carve with basswood for knife carving birds. I've used butternut a few times, and not had a problem with that either, although the basswood is easier, just seal the carving before painting.

Good luck with the carving, and post us your results!!!

Mark

[JackOsbon]

I use only tupleo for birds if I paint. It holds exceptional details, esp. when/if burning feathers on low heat. It can be sculpted using razor sharp knives/blades. I like to paint with oils and don't seal if I use oils. If I paint acrylics, I seal first then put on base of watered gesso.

[torpidhummer]

Hi Foamer:

I use both Tupelo and Basswood,as you have been informed Tupelo is great with power tools, basswood I use both knives,gouges etc.,and power tools,if you use power tools you will have fuzzing,however I eliminate the fuzz by using scotch bright discs. I have been buying my Tupelo from Brad Ketrick, 919 625 4070,for me the best Basswood is sold by Heineck Wood Products,
www. Heineckwoods.com, I hope this information will help you.

Oscar