Spanish Cedar? (Cedro)

[ajcoholic]

Anyone here carve this wood? I had a bunch a while back, but sold it all to guys making humidors.

I want to get some more for stock - and was thinking, as this wood is similar in grain and density to a really nice mahogany, it should carve well.

Be interested in hearing if anyone has tried it.

AJC

[ironMan-Carve]

You are correct. Spanish Cedar carves about like Mahogany except that it doesn't seem to splinter quite as much. Still, you have to be careful with fine details. It is a lighter wood (you can see the details better) than Mahogany and smells great.

Here are nativity Mary's I carved last year. The one on the right side is Spanish Cedar. The dark one toward the left is Mahogany. The others are Basswood. They are about 4.5" high.

Steve

[Buffalo Bif]

I love carving Spanish Cedar- it is at the top of my favs list. It's easy to carve, smells great, just a little harder than bass- I feel like it has more 'character' than bass (subjective opinion). It has 2 unique characteristics that you need to pay attention to- color, I don't feel the color lends itself to some subjects; and pores- you'll just need to contend with them.

[jwd]

This wood is great for figures that you want a natural or unpainted finish. Butternut is also a wood that is great for an unpainted finish.

[LBlake]

I have carved some spoons in it - here's a picture of one. I like the wood very much. It is strong enough to allow pretty delicate elements, and is a pretty color. I agree that it's very similar to mahogany, except for the smell.

[Coker]

I have been told that spanish cedar is in the mahogany family

[ajcoholic]

Sounds good, I will get some more to try carving this time

AJC

[Robson Valley]

What is the proper, Latin, globally accepted name for "spanish cedar?"

[ajcoholic]

There is a good Wikipedia link for it. It seems that Cedro/Cedrela is actually several closely related species - and it is related to mahogany.

I build guitars (one of my other hobbies) and Spanish Cedar is starting to be used in place of Honduran Mahogany for necks and bodies. It is much easier to get, especially in larger/thicker sizes.

AJC

[Robson Valley]

Thank you: I see that it is neither Spanish nor is it really a cedar.
Another uselessly common, common name.