I bought a half dozen cypress knees on Ebay awhile back, I think they cost roughly $5 each and they were all peeled. Once I put a knife to the first one, I fell in love! Those knees where the lightest, nicest carving wood I have tried (mostly I carve hard wood I pickup back in the woods or the yard).

My big question: How is bald cypress for carving? The knees are great, but I don't believe I have read anyplace where anyone has mentioned carving cypress itself.

Anyone???????

[macktruck]

I've carved it and like it I've done several spoons out of it. it carves like walnut and alot easier to get( for me anyway I live in SE georgia it's everywhere)
macktruck

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

welll I posted, I thought, maybe I didn't hit the button? anyway, I have never carved cypress, but heard it is hard on the knives, is that true?

Thanks mactruck, I think I'll try to get some, I really like carving the knees.

Dave, the knees haven't hurt my knives or chisels a bit. They actually like the knees so much, they strop themselves when I turn out the lights

[Kenny_S]

I accidently carved MY knee once. Once was a learning tool! :

[macktruck]

Hi Ho,
I havn't found to bad on blades, i just strop a bit more.
When a carving is first done it has a color like dark butter then ages to a nice golden brown tone. The grain is not very visible.
macktruck