finishing cuts help/advice

[stuckinthemud]

Ok, so my first set of chainsaw carvings are in willow. It's very fibrous, really soft and so green its damp to touch, but, any advice on achieving nice smooth clean cuts would be gratefully received. I'm using Stihl full house carving chain, it's brand new and very sharp. At the moment I am getting close to the finished surface and switching to hand tools to smooth off and detail. It may just be that willow this green simply won't give a nice finish off a chain? Anyone any experience of working this timber?

[wisewood]

Willow is very woolly and not ideal for carving, doesn't give crisp detail and rots pretty quickly. Try some different species and you'll see the difference yourself 👍

[Woodcrafter]

Willow is not a good carving wood. People think it is as it's so soft. Also not great for long life.