From basswood to tupelo

[Paul Adkins]

I have always used basswood for my carvings. I started a bird using tupelo for the first time. I always thought I was pretty good at sharpening a knife. I am having trouble using a knife with tupelo. Should I be sharpening my knife different?

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I have a chunk of tupelo but saving it for ?? lol, but have heard it is very hard on knives and is better power carved....really doubt there is anything wrong with your sharpening technique..remember, good tupelo is that portion below the waterline...which would indicate I assume some debris such as sand in the wood? A nice abrasive for your knives!Snorkel

[Ron D]

i thought the same thing paul that i forgot how to sharpen a knife but that wood is harder than basswood and like hiho said its hard on knives to.i use my foredom on it and it works fine and saves my knives
ron

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Tupelo is favored by bird carvers (grinders?) as you can take a power tool to it and it doesn't fuzz up like basswood. It also holds detail better when burning feathers, etc. As for carving with a knife, forget it. No matter how you slice it the grain just doesn't cooperate. I keep some around to use when I want to bend a piece of wood for some detail. Tupelo, when wet, can literally be tied into knots without breaking.