[tucker1931]

I'm trying to carve wood spirits in an old pine fence post. I'm having a heck of a time carving cross grain. No, my tools are not dull, and that's a positive. It is very old and dry, should I try to dampen it a bit before I try again?
Cliff

[Joy]

Cliff, I have heard others say that dampening the wood does make it carve easier. But since you are a new carver my advice would be to get you some basswood. It is so much easier to learn on. I started learning on cedar fence posts because that's what I found. But that can be very discouraging...some of it carves just fine and other places are pithy. So while it seems like a good idea to carve on found wood....it is much easier to learn on basswood.

[tucker1931]

Joy, thanks for your thoughts, as you, it's found wood and just a little cheaper for sure. Thing is, I have lots of free bass wood from a neighbor, but only in blocks and I am so interested in Spirits and walking sticks. I'm just gonna keep HACKIN AND SCRAPPIN till I get it right.
Clif