Harley Refsal - Northern air-dried basswood

[Dan C]

Harley - In your great DVD "Figure Carving Scandinavian Style", you mention "northern air-dried basswood" as "the best basswood" for flat-plane carving. I'm learning that all basswoods are not the same, and that some are better than others for carving, so I'm following up on your advice. I need all the help I can get!

Is there a good source for "northern air-dried basswood"? I've searched this forum and didn't come up with anything.

Dan C.

[Mitchell]

Dan,

Mr. Refsal may reply later, HOWEVER -

There are lots of posts on wood sources. Since you are in Michigan, there should be some local sources for air-dried basswood.

Here's a thread or two for reference:

Where can one find SOFT basswood?

looking for basswood forests

[Dan C]

Thanks Mitchell!

I'm not really expecting Harley to reply right away (if at all). I don't really even know if he checks the board regularly. I almost didn't ask the question, but then I thought I might as well, since he did make a point of it on his DVD, and I thought other carvers might be interested in the answer (or have answers themselves).

Dale Heinecke was mentioned as a good source for northern basswood a couple of times on the threads you referenced, and this is the second time this month that I've had him recommended to me. I took a week-long class from Jeff Phares on carving the human face the first week of the month, and he mentioned Heinecke as a good source for basswood as well. SO, I went to his site and he sells northern basswood. I'm going to try ordering some from him.

Also, I don't really know how important the air-dried part is. I'm not sure what it adds to the quality of the wood from a carving perspective. (Which, I guess, is partly why I asked the question) I guess dead wood in the forest would be considered air-dried? Some of that wood can be hard as a rock! Maybe not basswood though? Also, maybe air-dried refers to some process I'm not familiar with, and isn't the same as dead wood in the forest.

Anyway, thanks for your response!

Dan C.

[Shimmy]

I just received my order of basswood from Heinecke yesterday .I have dealt with them for 5-6 yrs. I don't think you can get finer wood or service.