{"id":1087,"date":"2021-01-10T10:03:09","date_gmt":"2021-01-10T07:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodiswood.com\/?p=1087"},"modified":"2022-09-07T12:00:59","modified_gmt":"2022-09-07T09:00:59","slug":"top-5-kinds-of-wood-to-use-for-chip-carving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodiswood.com\/top-5-kinds-of-wood-to-use-for-chip-carving\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Kinds of Wood to Use for Chip Carving"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Carving wood is an art form, and like any great artist, you need to have the right materials. Whether you are using a chisel or a knife, you also need to make sure you are using the correct wood type.  It is hard to know what to look for in a wood, and depending on your end goal, that answer might not be the same every time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Using the wrong type of wood for your project could be disastrous, and ruin everything. Here are the top five best kinds of wood to use for chip carving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Butternut Has a Great Texture and Natural Color<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Juglans cinerea, more commonly known as butternut or white walnut, is native to the Eastern U.S. and Southeast Canada. You should be able to pick up a block at your local hardware or even craft store. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This wood is perfect for carving as it is a softer hardwood.  The softness of the wood makes the act of carving much easier, and you will be able to control your design better with the ease of carving.  This is usually the go-to wood for most chip carvers.  Because the end and face grains are equal, it makes the wood ideal for chip carving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When working with butternut, you will notice how easily it cuts while still leaving a nice crisp, sharp edge. Many carvers find butternut to be their favorite wood, one of the reasons butternut is great is because apart from many of it\u2019s good features it is also a light-colored wood<\/strong>. Therefore you can stain it with practically any color once your piece is finished. Due to the texture of the wood, you do not need to file it before applying the stain of your choice.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Basswood Requires a Steady Hand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Basswood, or scientifically known as Tilia Americana, is native to the U.S. Basswood is easily accessible online<\/a>. Or, you may need to research some specialty stores. One of the most unique things about basswood is that it has been used for centuries, and many indigenous tribes would use it to carve masks since it is native to the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basswood has a straight grain, and the finish is not fuzzy, like some other woods you may encounter.  Although, due to the wood being so soft, it requires a steady and precise hand to carve designs without error.  Basswood is perfect for carving fine details with a smooth texture and straight grain.  As with many other woods, basswood, although soft for carving, is considered a hardwood.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basswood is light in color and will easily take a stain.  If you wish to stain your basswood<\/a> art piece, there are a few simple steps to take:<\/p>\n\n\n\n