New and clueless!

[Fencing Nick]

Hi Everyone

 

I've been reading these chainsaw carving threads for a while now, some very impressive carvings! I'm just starting out, obviously with the standard mushrooms and recently Xmas trees. Just a couple of question I need answering though.. Mainly what is the best wood to use for carving and should it be seasoned? I have a bit of willow I haven't touched yet as it was only cut down a few weeks ago, any good? I also have access to some sweet chesnut if I want it. Any help would be brilliant.

Cheers!

[wisewood]

Hi Nick,

I tend to use what ever I can get my hands on really. Hardwoods are better if for outdoors, oak, beech, syc etc. Birch won't last much outside.

I've carved white willow before (the stuff cricket bats are made from) and that was pretty good, Don't think crack willow would be any good mind.

Sweet chestnut maybe a bit woolly but should be ok, poplar is poor - easy to carve but a bitch to sand smooth.

Si

[Gnome]

I just carve whatever whenever. If you make a pigs ear of it turn it into something else or use it to keep you warm this winter. If the weather is going to be as bad as many peeps are saying I think were going to have some ice carving !!

 

As long as you are honing your skills it really doesn't matter.

[Roni Macdonald]

I've found that any form of wood cutting/carving is best done while the wood is fresh, easier on cutting equipment and cedar is one of the nicest to carve. Willow and chestnut are nice to carve but have limited longevity.

[FriarsGorse]

Hi Nick ...Welcome ...

Same as previous posts... carve whatever you can get your hands on ... It always seems a nice piece of oak feels the most special but my experience of sweet chestnut is really good. It usually looks great - nice grain and tough stuff so if you have room to store it ...grab it gratefully !!!

I dont carve stuff thats just been felled... usually find it best to leave it 2 to 3 years but sometimes some cracks and splits can add a bit of something to a carving .... its a suck it and see and just when you think youve got it sussed...

Good Luck & have fun

[Fencing Nick]

Thanks for the replies. Really appreciate it. Seems like the best thing to do it get out there and see what works for me. Hopefully have something to post to get some feedback on in the near future, or just more questions!

[GeeSaw]

Hi Nick

My general rule of thumb is get anything you can get your hands on! Oak, Beech, Elm, Walnut, Birch, Cherry,

Sycamore are all good and I got hold of some Ash a few weeks ago which is nice to carve.

If you're carving Poplar you might want to let it season for a while because of its high moisture content also beware it will crack/split as it dries out.

Best of luck

Gee

[Bart]

Hi Nick, as above really. i tend to use what ever i can get hold of, not done much carving recently hopefully have a little play this weekend.