mdallensr

For a totem pole, cypress would be perfect. With mallet tools, the wood will carve nicely, and the durability will be great. I carve my small spoons with plam tools, and wood like cypress is tougher to carve than basswood/lime. Ash would probably be much more difficult to carve. We make baseball bats from ash; it's that hard! Have fun and don't worry. Good luck. Mike

Hi I live in Ireland. It is a while since I posted on this sight. I work with youth at risk of all the stuff kids get into plus here in Northern Ireland secterianism is a big thing. I have just launched a Totem Pole project last weekend and the kids came up with some really good stuff that they wanted to had to the pole about the values of the YMCA we are from and the issues they face. My question to you is this> I read your bit on Cypress. The local forestry have set a Cypress log aside for me my fear is it will be to hard for beginners to carve. I also get an ash log today and I think this will be better. However, I would appreciate you input to my dilema. Your can get a feel for who we are on www.ymcalurgan.com I look forwards to you reply.
Hugo