Basswood that is too soft?

[Dan Hunter]

I bought a box of small basswood pieces and I am pretty disappointed in them. The wood seems to be too soft and it tears constantly. At first, I thought that my knife was just dull, so I stropped and tried again with the same results. I tried cutting from different angles and everything, but still no change. Then, I got a piece of basswood I got from another source and it cut perfect, just the way I would expect. FWIW, I also noticed that the piece that cut well seems to be heavier than the other piece, although they were both sold as, and appear to be, basswood.

Has anyone else ever had a problem like this?

[againstthegrain]

I have bought wood like this, only it wasn't soft all the way through...just parts of it. And I feel your frustration because it seemed as though it caused me to take too much off where the soft spots were in an attempt to fix the carving.

That's when you put it to the side and label it "fancy firewood".

[Eddy-Smiles]

Dan... I gather from you web site that you're in Texas and that leads me to believe that you may have gotten a mix of southern and northern basswood. Then there is the manner in which it was cured, whether it was stack and left out side and or kiln dried. Most of the carvers on this forum will tell you that for consistency they prefer northern basswood which is nice and clear and white.

[Dan Hunter]

Thanks for the replies. I didn't realize there are two different basswoods. It seems it would be likely as the piece that carves well I purchased when I was living in a different part of the country. I'll have to be careful about which basswood I buy from now on. Maybe I'll try to test cut a piece before I buy.

And WOW! Someone actually looked at my site!? Sorry it is kind of disappointing. I have been documenting my Christmas ornaments though and plan to put some pictures and a step-by-step over the holidays.