[James A]

I have a pattern to carve the flat plain nativity set, but I have a problem. I want to make several sets, one for my parents, grandparents, and sister. I neet to know what type of wood would be to hard for little children to destroy by biting it. My sister has a 2 year old and is expecting another child in May. I want to make one for her in particular that my neceis can play with and not have to worry that much if the bite them that much. I am going to start carving them in basswood, because it would most likely be less expensive if I was to mess up. Also, do you know were I could get wood that will last like I need it to. The only hardwood I know of that will last under pressure like this would be oak. Any other suggestions for this project?

[AlArchie]

James, a two year old can chew STEEL! You might try maple that's a mite finer grain than oak, but still hard to carve. If you really want a challenge find some American Hop Hornbeam, or hickory. They make tool handles out of both of these.

But you will find each of these progressively more difficule to carve.

Al

[BRIAN D]

James, as I read your post the first thing I thought of was oak then the other thought was beech. Both being good hard woods although a child might naugh on the or give them wings across the room, it would add to the petina years later. Hope it helps. Have fun carving. Brian

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I wouldn't think a nativity is something for very small kids to play with in the first place, more a learning tool...imho

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Flat plane carving and hard dense woods just don't go together very well do to the requirement for making the large cuts involved. I think once you've made one or two sets out of basswood, you'll change your mind about making your sisters out of anything else.

[James A]

Ture that a small child shouldn't play with it, but she will be 3 next year, and by the way she gets into things this year, will probably get them wearever they are. And on top of that, she will have a sister next year that will probably chew on them some. My necie played with a stuffed nativity set that my mother made for when I was little, so she will want to play with anything that is similar to it, most likely.

[buckbeans]

I would be more concerned with toxins in the wood rather than bite marks in your choice of wood

[James A]

I knew there was another question that I ment to ask with this post. I was in a hurray when I posted this question, and I forgot about that point. Maybe I better just tell my sister to make sure that these are high enuff so my necie wont get to them. If only my grandfather was still arround, I could ask him about this because he always made wooden toys for us to play with. I still have a bag of wooden tops he made several years ago.