Post #544227 by Lake Surfer on Fri, Jul 23, 2010 9:56 PM

Benjamin and Jérôme... thanks! Always good to hear from my fellow French carvers!

Benjamin, this nose was fun, and a nice change. I'll be using it again on another piece I'm sure.

Grand Poobah, I appreciate the kind compliment on my work!

I really do love carving Ash, and I have a bunch of it lately since they were cutting trees down in the local park! :wink:

It is my favorite hardwood right now, although when I can get it I like to carve Birch also.

As you mentioned... quite heavy, and yes it is tough. It can sometimes be brittle at times on the outside layer under the bark, but it hold a clean edge the deeper you go.

I think I tried Oak once, very hard. Maple is also hard, and for me the grain is frustrating. Ash tends to run nice and straight... easy to carve.
I do prefer young trees though in the hardwoods, around 8" in diameter or smaller.

As far as Softwoods, my favs are Yellow Pine, Cedar and Basswood. Again, nice straight grains!