[Bearjew]

What is your favorite wood to work with and Why?

 

[sickelstix]

I don't believe I can choose a favorite. Every type of wood seems to have a different surprise inside. Although some of the nicest surprises for me have come from persimmon and crepe myrtle.

 

[Rad]

In general Walnut, Oak and Ash. For sticks Hawthorne, Crab, Hophornbeam.

 

[CV3]

I am partial to walnut and butter nut. They are not the easiest to carve with but I like the finished product. I like apple wood when I can get it.

 

[MJC4]

Sassafras is one of my faves. Smells good when working with it, carves clean, takes oils well with out blotch, and the red inner bark is beautiful as is the heartwood. Aspen makes a great stick as well and I too also enjoy using butternut, beautiful grain when finished in oils.

 

[Rodney]

It's hard to pick just one favorite. My most used are the local maple and alder but I also actively look for hazel, oak, and ash.

Rodney

 

[RPM]

Whatever I can sneak into a neighbor's yard and get - neighbors that don't have dogs anyway. LOL No, but that is a good question and I've enjoyed seeing the responses. MJC4 was kind enough to alert me to aspen (which is a local species for me) and I'm enjoying a cache of that for this winter. I was able to find a lot of it already dry enough (albeit with splits) to work with right away. It's carvable to an extent, light but strong, and feels good to the hand when sanded and finished. But I'm a newbie too at this point and so far I'm just doing locally resourced, natural-looking sticks.

 

[dww2]

Like a couple of the others say, I don't think I could pick just one. Kind of depends on which characteristics I'm looking for. For straightness, generally ash or maple. For looks (bark), yellow birch. For looks (wood) apple, cherry, or any kind of burl. For sturdiness, hawthorn or hornbeam. These are just generalities, of course.

 

[LilysDad]

All of the above, also red cedar saplings.

 

[Sean]

I don’t carve so look for unique features that mother nature provides. This comes in a variety of woods.

 

[Ron T]

Hello, it's been a very long time since I've been here. One of my favorites is diamond willow. However, I think my favorite is Paulownia. It grows straight, it's pretty light weight, very strong and carves pretty well.

 

[Jon54]

Osage orange. Beautiful grain and tougher than steel. Just wish I could find it here.

 

[Rodney]

Good to see you again Ron!

Rodney