Doug, because of YOUR videos, I started carving 3 years ago, this month, because I quit drinking and needed something to do with my hands while my old lady was slugging boxes of wine on the end of the couch. First I bought a blank from WoodCrafters, but not knowing what I was looking for I bought a piece of maple. Woof! I muscled through a little “sea captain” and then found your videos on sharpening, knife selection, I got sharper, got better knives, found your video on bass wood! Bought basswood blanks online, Thank god! Started carving Santa heads, found my style, carved all my wood, bought a large basswood board from a local sawmill, and I’ve been working my way through that. Learning grain positioning, practicing cuts, bought a set of small gouges. And I’m loving it and getting genuine compliments that give me the most amazing feeling. Thank you Doug, thank you, thank you!
You are freaking awesome. As a young human i would spend Saturday mid morning to noon down on the town square sitting and whittling on cedar wood with the elders. Learned how to trade, sharpen and care for my own knives. Lessons that have lasted a lifetime. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with the rest of us. Peace Out my friend.
Heineke Basswood from Wisconsin has never let me down, butternut and bark I buy from vendors at woodcarving competitions and shows. Never was let down there either and I always get to see what I am buying before I buy at the shows.
Heineke is my go to wood as well. What's really cool about them is that you just drop them an email of what you want and they'll send it right out (rec'd 3-4 days later) the kicker is that they pretty much run on an honor sytem because they invoice you. I like that because I'm old school and still send a check if possible! By the way excellent wood!
@@Nikonguy73what a great question! I have seen a TV program about Australia's customs checks and they do seem very strict (and rightly so). I hope you get an answer to your question ... definitely don't test it with a very large order! @DougLinker great little video.... shame you will still get a million questions a year asking the same thing. You need to set a filter up on your email linking to this video. Im putting @BeaverCraftTools basswood on my Christmas list! I've found Amazon to be pretty good but just buying generic Basswood so far - cant recall the seller (I'm in the UK) its all been OK (But i don't have much experience to go by). I use Flex Cut knifes and keep them sharp so no real problems to date. Anyone else in the UK who has a local source in the midlands? I Need an excuse to buy a table saw and am sure I will save "hundreds" of UK £ and save money in the long run. Uts not working yet with the wife but I am trying (she would sat VERY trying)! Thanks All
I'm brand new to whittling/woodcarving [as in still buying knives, mats, basswood, etc.] and when Doug mentioned BeaverCraftTools, I remember seeing them on Amazon, and I immediately ordered two different boxes of it before watching the rest of the video. I think I will be purchasing the majority of my carving tools from BeaverCraft, though I have purchased a tool or two from Lee Valley in the past. Thanks for the help and videos Doug! I'll be watching them for the next month to catch up on everything. Brian
Hi Doug. I am 81 and have just started whittling, having packed up scrollsaw due to dust.. I do like your videos and please keep them coming Jim Northampton UK
For anyone in the UK (basswood is hard to find without ordering online), you can get pine in a place like B&Q for real cheap. We're talking ten 1.5x1.5 carvings for like 6 quid total. I don't know how it compares to basswood, but I've had a lot of success with pine.
I never get Beavercraft but it's due to their ethical behaviour, I know of 4 people who have had their knife designs stolen wholesale and another friend who the used his video within their advertisements.
Doug I just started wood carving a month ago and your video couldn't have been more timely. I have been searching for a supply line for wood to carve and you've made my day! I've enjoyed all of you videos that I've watched thus far, keep up the great work!
Six years ago i started carving (because of you 😉) and now i have almost every time a pocketknife and a 1/1/2 with me, but i never payed 1€ for my Wood, i started with pine from work and a few weeks after that i managed to find a freshly fallen over Tilia ( Linde in german). I draged it out of the woods and cut it …..i Think this tree will provide me with material for my little projects for the rest of my life…. The hardness an the color is not even but i don’t care. Thank you for your videos !!!!
You answered a HUGE question in this video...new at carving and made a several carvings from your videos...but have had a hard time finding basswood...thank you so much from Clayton, NC!!!!
I have to say after watching this video and was blown away on how soft the Beavercraft basswood was. I also purchased some basswood on Amazon and it is hard. So I decided to soak the piece I was about to carve and he really helped soften the wood. But next time I think I will try this if it is still available. TY for the info.
I struggled to get basswood in the Uk - I had a mill send me some English lime wood as I had been led to believe basswood , linden and lime were all the same just had a different name in areas - however the lime wood was as hard as concrete and really difficult to cut. I then read that Jelutong was really good so I bought some from a timber merchant and although it was somewhat more expensive than the other timbers it was light yellow in colour - light in weight - and an absolute dream to carve - so that’s my two penneth from my own experience.
A source in the UK is Hobbycraft, although its not available in every store, but can be bought direct from them online. They do various sizes and profiles and packs, not sure how the prices compare with other suppliers.
Hi Neil, I bought some English lime a while back and as a newbie I found it very difficult to carve and from watching this video I think it had too much sap judging by it's colour. I was looking at Jelutong can I ask where you source your Jelutong?
I found Conquer Trading Post, Lake Road, Keswick whils on a walking holiday. They sell Beaver Craft wood and tools. Bought a pack of wood which has been nice to carve.
Hi Doug, thanks for this & all your other videos. I'm in England & began whittling this year. I buy a brand called Tokerd from Amazon. It's inexpensive, can sometimes be hard to carve, but I generally get on ok with it. This week I almost bought the same Beavercraft wood as yourself. It was a few quid more than 'Tokerd' but at 6" long represented better value if I wanted to carve 3" figures (Tokerd is 5"). Reason I didn't buy the Beavercraft wood is that I had a feeling it would be easier to carve & I really want to only carve wood I find in the forest so (within reason) the tougher the wood I can practice on the better. Thanks once again for your videos as they have really helped me 👍
Get my basswood from Hienike in Wisconsin. Great stuff and they are very accommodating for sizes. Cottonwood bark all over the northern Mississippi valley. Most any farmer that has some woods most likely will have a cottonwood tree down.
I had bought some Beavercraft carving knifes and they aren't bad. Also got 1 Flexcut. So I thought I'd try Beavercraft basswood and so far I'm happy with it. After being away from carving for 10 years, I decided to try it again and was stuck until I found a very informative 15 minute tutorial on carving a wood spirit that got me started. Then found your channel. I'm gonna be here for a long time. You have so many figures and cutting them out of small pieces of wood is cost saving. Plus your tutorials are outstanding. The hillbillies look like the ones to start with and move up from there.
Heineke as some one else mentioned has very good bass wood. I bought a good amount of 4x4x12 pieces and then cut them down to what ever dimensions I need. I have had it for several years and I am not sure if it is going to get harder to carve as it gets older. I also scored a large amount of Cottonwood Bark in Wyoming a couple of years ago. We found a ranch that had a large creek that ran through it. We asked the rancher if we could collect the bark off of some of the dead trees. He though we were crazy because most people think cottonwood has no good use. We filled up half a pick-up in about 30 minutes. It is nice and thick and I got some very long pieces as well.
I got a basswood. 2”x 8” x 4ft from the local woodcraft store,it was cheap but pretty tough to carve. I’ve been getting my basswood and butternut from roughouts after Doug recommended them. No complaints about them.
Thank you for the video! I bought some basswood from Bevercraft and thought it was a bit hard but now I'm thinking maybe I need to spend a few more minutes on the strope!
Beavercraft doesn't sell basswood, the wood from Ukraine is limewood or linden wood aka tilia europaea and is very important to gather the wood in winter and let it air drying, it will be like butter but in time the white colour will became brownish
I'm no basswood expert but I've acquired basswood from the Chicago Park District via a relative as the trees were cut down for any number of reasons. It varies in color and hardness to carve. I'm sure many factors of weather and air quality has had some effect on this wood. It runs light and dark throughout the grain. It can be carved as I've done many small items although it can be a challenge. I also have used basswood purchased from Rockler. Big difference between free basswood and quality controlled basswood.
I have been told that darkness in the wood begins as the wood begins to decay, starting at the center of the log. Rotting can begin soon after the tree is harvested. Basswood has the nice cream white color when the tree is Winter cut. That would be around mid-November here in Minnesota. At that time of the year the tree's water content is at its lowest level - Spring and Summer being the time the tree is growing and drawing water out of the ground. The frigid temperatures retard the decomposition of the wood. Wood left on the ground later than about mid-April here will begin to decompose and the wood will darken. It is cut into slabs and placed in unheated barns where it is left to dry. It takes about 1 yr/inch of thickness to dry.
Doug, you are my carving mentor. Buying basswood I have found that the local hardwood supply shop (Crosscut hardwoods) provide great wood at a very affordable price. I can buy bulk wood a 2” or 4” board (4-6 board feet) for for $25. I have to recut it to the sizes of the carving I am working on. The milling does not need to be perfect, much of the wood in whittled away. I find this much more affordable and I will creat multiple copies of the carvings. Each copy improves. Thanks so much for you insight and instruction.
Interesting video, thanks. I tend to buy rough lumber and get busy with a hand plane when I get it home. I normally buy 8/4 or 12/4 (2” or 3” thickness). Windsor Plywood in my market has good Basswood, as rough lumber. I once saw, and bought a package of small “carving pieces” at Windsor. Most of that went in the BBQ as it was like concrete. Lee Valley sells beautiful wood and I have generally been very happy with what I get from KJP Hardwoods in Ottawa. I buy it online, the UPS truck brings it. For anyone who has been cursed with wood that is hard - before you give up on it, spray it well with a mixture of Rubbing Alcohol and water, and letmit dry, then start carving. It will be much easier work. I will order some from Beavercraft (like I need more) to see what it is like.
Another great video Mr Linker💚🇬🇧🌱 personally I've never bought wood that I've carved, as I work with wood sometimes I've used scraps since I started. I like to use the defects as character. But my favourite to carve is green wood just cut, cheap & everywhere!
Excellent video and good debate. I am from Spain and I usually use wild pine from my area. This wood has very marked growth rings but I like it because I don't paint my carvings.
I've been carving lots of your Little Christmas Pickles and just happened to order several boxes of those same BeaverCraft basswood sticks. Takes me about 15 minutes per pickle and it's really fun!
Thanks so much for the solution to a problem I had been struggling with ever since I started carving 😅. Wangled some Kauri and Totara wood off cuts from the National Woodworking Institute in Te Puia, Rotorua, NZ recently. The Māori people use it for carving. Whatever few practice cuts I tried on the wood leaves behind a fantastic smooth glossy finish with every cut 👌🏼👌🏼
As always, another good video Mr. Doug! I didn't see anyone throwing in the name of Arrowhead Wood Products in Minnesota. I have used their products several times and keep a good 'bank' of them ready to be pulled out for projects. I have found their wood to be very consistent regardless of what size I am using. They carry blocks and thin sheets as well - good assortment. Good stuff - try it. Additionally, the wood from Beavercraft is another source I have and I use for small projects as well. They are fairly consistent, yet I just had a hidden abnormality show up (knot or 'crotch') in a 1"x1" that stopped me in my tracks. It didn't show up till I got well into the project. It was a hard and twisted area that just couldn't be dealt with, so I abandoned that piece and started on another chunk. Would recommend their basswood as well for small projects and beginners too. Cheers.
I use the wood my dog brings me on our walks in the wood, sometimes just getting a mushroom or a wood spirit out of it is challenging, but fun and when he brings back a piece of lyme . . . oh oh oh . . . let the good times roll . . . great videos dough. thank you.
Thank you! I had a bad time trying to carve in a random bass wood I got online and finally stopped trying. Had no idea if it was a problem with the tools i have (I've sent them for proffesional sharpening) or the wood. Since this Beavercraft wood is fairly cheap (I'm in Poland and it's even cheaper here) I can give it a second try!
I just started carving today!!! My first 5 min wizard. Did not come out like yours but it did look like something!! I just wanted to say that I used beavercraft knifes from Amazon and they also seem to be pretty knice!! Thanks for the videos!! Keep up the good work bra!!
Thank you Doug ..Bought some basswood from a guy in Tenn from his barn .. Worse purchase I ever made ..so hard had to end up throwing it away ..Thank you for sharing my friend 🤣🤣
Based on your opening the box of 16 1x1s from Beavercraft, I ordered the same from Amazon. Arrived an hour ago. Unfortunately for me mine was full of mold. No doubt a problem of storage along the way from the Ukraine. The wood looked good under the mold though.
A&M Wood Specialty, Cambridge Ontario, Exotic Woods, Burlington Ontario, Century Mill Lumber, London Ontario. All have good basswood & butternut. I also agree with Chipping Away, Waterloo Ontario as well as Lee Valley.
I used to buy all my carving lumber from a local saw mill, he had walnut slabs over 2 feet wide, he wrote on one with a red magic marker, "not for sale, we like to look at it". Unfortunately he has passed on, left the mill to son in law who ran it into the ground. He would always keep old dry basswood and pine for me. A carpenter friend gave me a 6x8 by 6 foot piece of butternut, it was old and beautiful to carve, I've actually bought pine from my local home hardware that turned out great, but I pick it out. Another friend gave me a huge piece of a pine beam out of an old barn, carved so nice.
I’ve been carving cedar and really like it. It’s flaky but easy to work around. I’ve never used basswood before. Want to but I can pick cedar up off the ground.
I also like woodcraft but I recommend going in to select your woods. Hummul has the cheapest that I have found for basswood. I have had a few pieces over the decades of carving and ordering wood where there where soft dark inclusions, but that is rare.
I've found a great place to get basswood is KJP Select Hardwoods in Ottawa. You can buy 4/4 and 8/4 rough-cut basswood in 10 or 20 board-feet packs. the boards are 3"-6" wide so you need to be able to cut to size but so far it has been excellent wood to carve.
I had some good luck with the BeaverCraft Basswood from Amazon, but it was getting too expensive when i needed more... I watched your video when you cut down a lot of Basswood blannks... And i went out and bought a cheap used Ryobi 9" bandsaw... Then went to the Rockler store here and bought a 2x8x24 piece of basswood... Cut to legths and widths i wanted and it turned out great! Tried some pine from the local big box store and i just could not get through it! My hands were very sore for the next week. But u gues you have to build the carving hand muscles! Thank you for the video!
For woodcarving, I prefer alder wood. It works best for me and I like its color. It can also be painted well, but I personally only use linseed oil with beeswax.
Winter is fast approaching and prime time to harvest it. If you know any landowners from New England, ask them. Most landowners I know would give you the wood if you clean up after the cut. Basswood isn't used for much in our area. Good hunting.
Silly me, I always find myself wishing for your hand strength! Love Tree Line, Moore Roughouts and Lee Valley. All have good shipping times. Will try Beaver Craft, just to say I did. Looking forward to seeing more cottonwood bark suggestions. The native trees by me are mesquite and palo verde…not ideal
Doug's thumbs are probably stronger than most of our forearms, but I think the real trick is that he knows how to get and keep his blades really sharp. It's amazing how much difference "kinda sharp" and "scary sharp" make in cutting almost anything!
Hey Doug! I have a friend with an old basswood that is on it's final journey. I would love to save some from going into his wood stove! Now to listen to your video ....
Have used beaver craft for a couple of years , just like any other supplier an occasional piece of firewood but pretty rare. Have used other suppliers for different dimensional wood and an occasional firewood chunk. By the way Amazon also has spools. Not sure of wood type but still pretty cheap.
I used to get my basswood from Amazon. But I always got dry and brittle wood most of the time, then I started getting beavercraft wood and it carves a lot nicer. Them someone recommended Hienicke basswood.... I love it!!!! They are really nice to deal with too. I am starting to branch out into other woods now, after 2 years of carving nothing but basswood😅. Haven't tried the butternut I got yet, I want to try red cedar because my grandpa likes the color. He doesn't carve, but always says I should try it, I think he wants a carving of it from me😊. If anyone knows of a good dealer of red cedar, let me know please.
I love Moore basswood and roughouts. I don't think they sell 1 by 1 but when you cut their 2 by 2 blocks down the unit price is excellent. Still, none of these sources are very expensive when you get down to a 1 by 1. I've done a fair amount of pen turning with exotic wood 3/4 by 3/4 blocks and those are a little pricey, but still manageable for the wonderful choices of wood. And then turn around and sell a $50 handmade pen.
I'm in France. Bought some supposedly basswood blocks on Amazon and the wood is not at all as soft as I thought it would be. We have a whole lane with Tilleul trees 20m from our house, I believe this is the French for basswood, also called Linden in English. I pick up some branches that break off during storms and so on and then I take off the bark and dry it. Still not butter soft but actually fairly easy to carve
Mr. Linker my name is Bill and a big fan of yours, I was wondering if you have a video of carving from a glued on pattern. I just can’t get the process to compute in my old hillbilly brain. I have watched your videos and really enjoy how you teach the complete process and take the time to explain it ! Thanks for the help .
Doug... I managed a building supply for 40 years or more.... We sold basswood by the units or by the piece. Probably any good building supply would sell basswood as it is a perfect product for cabinet makers.
Great video. I purchase basswood from Windsor Plywood so far all of it has been great. Cottonwood bark I can get it either in Winnipeg Manitoba or have friends in Alberta that will collect it for me
As for Lee Valley for basswood, i found it hard as rock. I bought a hook knife and a carving knife from beaver craft, i think there great. And the only problem i have is not getting them sharp like they where when I got them.
I bought a good-sized piece of basswood from Loess Hills Sawmill in Iowa as they say their wood is air-cured. That is supposed to be the main difference between hard (kiln-dried) and less hard wood. Along with the other wood I purchased from a place called Beavertooth Oak in Medford, OR, a lumber store, no relation to Beavercraft- I have enough basswood to last me a long time. I also like Yellow Pine. It is a much prettier wood with interesting grain etc. But can be harder to carve details in small pieces.
I've bought wood from beavercraft. I've never had a problem with them. There is a Klingspor less than an hour from me. I buy my gouges and some wood from them, they are pretty good. I like to local pine. People are always cutting trees around here and the winter and storms take down a lot too. I never have to buy pine, I can literally drive around and pick it up. A long time ago I got a free chunk of oak. It was a little over 2 feet across and a little over a foot thick. I used a king Arthur chain blade attachment that goes on an angle grinder to carve that.
Hello In Europe you have 2 different kind of Basswood or Lindenwood it is the same . Only differents is you have winter and sommer Linde they might carve a little different because of moisture content. 😊
Hi Doug, that wood is not the normal stuff available in the UK, the stuff available to us has been awfully hard compared to USA/Canadian stuff. I have carved with both and know what it’s like. However, the beaver craft stuff is now available in the UK and I have just ordered a couple of boxes . Hopefully it’s as good as your order, I can’t see why it’s not, but I will let you know.
Spoiler alert, the 3 x packs of the exact same stuff as Doug came last night and it’s rubbish. Not the creamy white wood Doug has, mine is dark and hard. Knew it.
My first wood carving was your cardinal on a fence post. I used a poplar dowel from a leftover project and it was hard wood! I got er done, it looks more like a junco haha! I'll be buying some beavercraft wood. Can you recommend a good knife from them? If you could only have 1 knife, which one. Like the flex cut from your video but beavercraft. I don't know all the terms yet, sorry.
Beavercraft wood and tools are perfectly good for someone like me who doesn't have ready access to carving stuff. Is there better out there? Sure... but for the money you really can't go wrong with Beavercraft as a beginner or more casual carver.
Bought two packages of Beavercraft, based on your recommendation. Both were hard as rocks and completely uncarveable with a knife. OLD. Probably a year or more old.
Thanks Doug. I live outside Edmonton and I'm looking for a Cottonwood source. Cottonwood is plentiful here but doesn't produce a bark thick enough for deep carving.
Heinecke wood for the win! Got their name from one of your vids a few years back and been very satisfied with the wood and service! Great, old school, family business that cares!
I have been wanting to try Heinecke for a while now. Do their 1" X 1" blocks run true to size? I'm still at the point where I rely on measurements a lot from the tutorials.
I’ve used Beavercraft and found it a good choice. I also like Heineke (sp). My local supplier Keim lumber in Holms county Ohio have ok basswood. I’d like to get some recommendations on butternut
That's actually the only basswood I like of what I've bought. I did try some off Amazon that was a Wisconsin basswood, but I found the Ukraine variety much better and better cut too.
I have been getting my wood from Amazon small name producers and beavercraft this far. I don't see much of a difference between them to be honest. The 1 1/2 blocks are the harder ones for me to find but I think I have a new source for those. I'll repost with more info when I have it
Hi di what doug did and bigger piece cut down to your size better that way you what you want or try white pine yes white pine not spruce or yellow pine
I have a question and it is not about wood , BUT it is about your hands/fingers. How do you NOT have hand and or finger cramping and or what is called trigger finger ( finger locks up against you palm on it;s own ) and do you have hand issues ? I ask because I use my hands a lot but trying to carve etc causes me pain and issues, just curious
In addition to where you can get the best Basswood for carving, what is the best whetstone that you recommend? What is the best leather strop that you recommend? What are the 5 carving knives that you recommend? Do you recommend a glove for beginners? Do you recommend a thumb guard for beginners? Do you recommend safety tape for beginners?
Doug, because of YOUR videos, I started carving 3 years ago, this month, because I quit drinking and needed something to do with my hands while my old lady was slugging boxes of wine on the end of the couch. First I bought a blank from WoodCrafters, but not knowing what I was looking for I bought a piece of maple. Woof! I muscled through a little “sea captain” and then found your videos on sharpening, knife selection, I got sharper, got better knives, found your video on bass wood! Bought basswood blanks online, Thank god! Started carving Santa heads, found my style, carved all my wood, bought a large basswood board from a local sawmill, and I’ve been working my way through that. Learning grain positioning, practicing cuts, bought a set of small gouges. And I’m loving it and getting genuine compliments that give me the most amazing feeling. Thank you Doug, thank you, thank you!
Awesome!
You are freaking awesome. As a young human i would spend Saturday mid morning to noon down on the town square sitting and whittling on cedar wood with the elders. Learned how to trade, sharpen and care for my own knives. Lessons that have lasted a lifetime. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with the rest of us. Peace Out my friend.
Heineke Basswood from Wisconsin has never let me down, butternut and bark I buy from vendors at woodcarving competitions and shows. Never was let down there either and I always get to see what I am buying before I buy at the shows.
Heineke is my go to wood as well. What's really cool about them is that you just drop them an email of what you want and they'll send it right out (rec'd 3-4 days later) the kicker is that they pretty much run on an honor sytem because they invoice you. I like that because I'm old school and still send a check if possible! By the way excellent wood!
Hi Doug! Thanks for trying out our basswood. We're glad everything went smoothly :)
Can your basswood be shipped to Australia through customs?
@@Nikonguy73what a great question! I have seen a TV program about Australia's customs checks and they do seem very strict (and rightly so). I hope you get an answer to your question ... definitely don't test it with a very large order!
@DougLinker great little video.... shame you will still get a million questions a year asking the same thing. You need to set a filter up on your email linking to this video. Im putting @BeaverCraftTools basswood on my Christmas list!
I've found Amazon to be pretty good but just buying generic Basswood so far - cant recall the seller (I'm in the UK) its all been OK (But i don't have much experience to go by). I use Flex Cut knifes and keep them sharp so no real problems to date.
Anyone else in the UK who has a local source in the midlands? I Need an excuse to buy a table saw and am sure I will save "hundreds" of UK £ and save money in the long run. Uts not working yet with the wife but I am trying (she would sat VERY trying)! Thanks All
I'm brand new to whittling/woodcarving [as in still buying knives, mats, basswood, etc.] and when Doug mentioned BeaverCraftTools, I remember seeing them on Amazon, and I immediately ordered two different boxes of it before watching the rest of the video.
I think I will be purchasing the majority of my carving tools from BeaverCraft, though I have purchased a tool or two from Lee Valley in the past.
Thanks for the help and videos Doug! I'll be watching them for the next month to catch up on everything. Brian
I just brought your tools cause iam getting ready to take a class, so glad your wood was shown here so i know where to buy some wood ❤
Well, he certainly convinced me so I just bought a box of blanks and a knife. Plus....GO UKRAINE!
Hi Doug. I am 81 and have just started whittling, having packed up scrollsaw due to dust.. I do like your videos and please keep them coming Jim Northampton UK
I have bought basswood from beaver craft for 5-6 years now. Always been happy with it. Good stuff
For anyone in the UK (basswood is hard to find without ordering online), you can get pine in a place like B&Q for real cheap. We're talking ten 1.5x1.5 carvings for like 6 quid total. I don't know how it compares to basswood, but I've had a lot of success with pine.
I don't have a workshop so no table or circular saw, how does it come, what size pieces? Thanks.
I never get Beavercraft but it's due to their ethical behaviour, I know of 4 people who have had their knife designs stolen wholesale and another friend who the used his video within their advertisements.
@@WhittledWoodWorkshop Roughly metre long beams. A hand saw and any old sturdy table will do just fine, but a vice does help.
@@nelly5954 That's great, thanks for the reply. Best wishes.
@@WhittledWoodWorkshop no worries man
Doug I just started wood carving a month ago and your video couldn't have been more timely. I have been searching for a supply line for wood to carve and you've made my day! I've enjoyed all of you videos that I've watched thus far, keep up the great work!
Six years ago i started carving (because of you 😉) and now i have almost every time a pocketknife and a 1/1/2 with me, but i never payed 1€ for my Wood, i started with pine from work and a few weeks after that i managed to find a freshly fallen over Tilia ( Linde in german). I draged it out of the woods and cut it …..i Think this tree will provide me with material for my little projects for the rest of my life…. The hardness an the color is not even but i don’t care. Thank you for your videos !!!!
You answered a HUGE question in this video...new at carving and made a several carvings from your videos...but have had a hard time finding basswood...thank you so much from Clayton, NC!!!!
I have to say after watching this video and was blown away on how soft the Beavercraft basswood was. I also purchased some basswood on Amazon and it is hard. So I decided to soak the piece I was about to carve and he really helped soften the wood. But next time I think I will try this if it is still available. TY for the info.
I struggled to get basswood in the Uk - I had a mill send me some English lime wood as I had been led to believe basswood , linden and lime were all the same just had a different name in areas - however the lime wood was as hard as concrete and really difficult to cut. I then read that Jelutong was really good so I bought some from a timber merchant and although it was somewhat more expensive than the other timbers it was light yellow in colour - light in weight - and an absolute dream to carve - so that’s my two penneth from my own experience.
I quite often use Lime, living as you in the UK, I get my lime from English Woods, never had a bad bit yet!
A source in the UK is Hobbycraft, although its not available in every store, but can be bought direct from them online. They do various sizes and profiles and packs, not sure how the prices compare with other suppliers.
Hi Neil, I bought some English lime a while back and as a newbie I found it very difficult to carve and from watching this video I think it had too much sap judging by it's colour. I was looking at Jelutong can I ask where you source your Jelutong?
stay off jelutong if possible, it's not good for your skin and neither is its sawdust
I found Conquer Trading Post, Lake Road, Keswick whils on a walking holiday. They sell Beaver Craft wood and tools. Bought a pack of wood which has been nice to carve.
I'm 1.5 hours east of Ottawa on a woodlot. Have sawmill.
Butternut, cedar, pine, cherry, maple...etc. Love your channel Doug!
Heinecke is my main source for basswood and George from Loess saw mill is good fro basswood and butternut.
Hi Doug, thanks for this & all your other videos. I'm in England & began whittling this year. I buy a brand called Tokerd from Amazon. It's inexpensive, can sometimes be hard to carve, but I generally get on ok with it. This week I almost bought the same Beavercraft wood as yourself. It was a few quid more than 'Tokerd' but at 6" long represented better value if I wanted to carve 3" figures (Tokerd is 5"). Reason I didn't buy the Beavercraft wood is that I had a feeling it would be easier to carve & I really want to only carve wood I find in the forest so (within reason) the tougher the wood I can practice on the better. Thanks once again for your videos as they have really helped me 👍
Thanks Doug. A really helpful video for us Europeans.
Smashing 😊
Get my basswood from Hienike in Wisconsin. Great stuff and they are very accommodating for sizes. Cottonwood bark all over the northern Mississippi valley. Most any farmer that has some woods most likely will have a cottonwood tree down.
I had bought some Beavercraft carving knifes and they aren't bad. Also got 1 Flexcut. So I thought I'd try Beavercraft basswood and so far I'm happy with it. After being away from carving for 10 years, I decided to try it again and was stuck until I found a very informative 15 minute tutorial on carving a wood spirit that got me started. Then found your channel. I'm gonna be here for a long time. You have so many figures and cutting them out of small pieces of wood is cost saving. Plus your tutorials are outstanding. The hillbillies look like the ones to start with and move up from there.
Heineke as some one else mentioned has very good bass wood. I bought a good amount of 4x4x12 pieces and then cut them down to what ever dimensions I need. I have had it for several years and I am not sure if it is going to get harder to carve as it gets older. I also scored a large amount of Cottonwood Bark in Wyoming a couple of years ago. We found a ranch that had a large creek that ran through it. We asked the rancher if we could collect the bark off of some of the dead trees. He though we were crazy because most people think cottonwood has no good use. We filled up half a pick-up in about 30 minutes. It is nice and thick and I got some very long pieces as well.
I got a basswood. 2”x 8” x 4ft from the local woodcraft store,it was cheap but pretty tough to carve. I’ve been getting my basswood and butternut from roughouts after Doug recommended them. No complaints about them.
Thank you for the video! I bought some basswood from Bevercraft and thought it was a bit hard but now I'm thinking maybe I need to spend a few more minutes on the strope!
Beavercraft doesn't sell basswood, the wood from Ukraine is limewood or linden wood aka tilia europaea and is very important to gather the wood in winter and let it air drying, it will be like butter but in time the white colour will became brownish
I'm no basswood expert but I've acquired basswood from the Chicago Park District via a relative as the trees were cut down for any number of reasons. It varies in color and hardness to carve. I'm sure many factors of weather and air quality has had some effect on this wood. It runs light and dark throughout the grain. It can be carved as I've done many small items although it can be a challenge. I also have used basswood purchased from Rockler. Big difference between free basswood and quality controlled basswood.
I have been told that darkness in the wood begins as the wood begins to decay, starting at the center of the log. Rotting can begin soon after the tree is harvested. Basswood has the nice cream white color when the tree is Winter cut. That would be around mid-November here in Minnesota. At that time of the year the tree's water content is at its lowest level - Spring and Summer being the time the tree is growing and drawing water out of the ground. The frigid temperatures retard the decomposition of the wood. Wood left on the ground later than about mid-April here will begin to decompose and the wood will darken. It is cut into slabs and placed in unheated barns where it is left to dry. It takes about 1 yr/inch of thickness to dry.
Doug, you are my carving mentor. Buying basswood I have found that the local hardwood supply shop (Crosscut hardwoods) provide great wood at a very affordable price. I can buy bulk wood a 2” or 4” board (4-6 board feet) for for $25. I have to recut it to the sizes of the carving I am working on. The milling does not need to be perfect, much of the wood in whittled away. I find this much more affordable and I will creat multiple copies of the carvings. Each copy improves. Thanks so much for you insight and instruction.
Interesting video, thanks. I tend to buy rough lumber and get busy with a hand plane when I get it home. I normally buy 8/4 or 12/4 (2” or 3” thickness). Windsor Plywood in my market has good Basswood, as rough lumber. I once saw, and bought a package of small “carving pieces” at Windsor. Most of that went in the BBQ as it was like concrete. Lee Valley sells beautiful wood and I have generally been very happy with what I get from KJP Hardwoods in Ottawa. I buy it online, the UPS truck brings it. For anyone who has been cursed with wood that is hard - before you give up on it, spray it well with a mixture of Rubbing Alcohol and water, and letmit dry, then start carving. It will be much easier work. I will order some from Beavercraft (like I need more) to see what it is like.
One more for Basswood as dimensioned lumber from Windsor Plywood here in BC, Canada.
Another great video Mr Linker💚🇬🇧🌱 personally I've never bought wood that I've carved, as I work with wood sometimes I've used scraps since I started. I like to use the defects as character. But my favourite to carve is green wood just cut, cheap & everywhere!
Excellent video and good debate. I am from Spain and I usually use wild pine from my area. This wood has very marked growth rings but I like it because I don't paint my carvings.
I've been carving lots of your Little Christmas Pickles and just happened to order several boxes of those same BeaverCraft basswood sticks. Takes me about 15 minutes per pickle and it's really fun!
Such video are helpful because if you are a beginner and get bad wood... then a bad experience will deter you from carving.
Thanks so much for the solution to a problem I had been struggling with ever since I started carving 😅.
Wangled some Kauri and Totara wood off cuts from the National Woodworking Institute in Te Puia, Rotorua, NZ recently. The Māori people use it for carving. Whatever few practice cuts I tried on the wood leaves behind a fantastic smooth glossy finish with every cut 👌🏼👌🏼
As always, another good video Mr. Doug! I didn't see anyone throwing in the name of Arrowhead Wood Products in Minnesota. I have used their products several times and keep a good 'bank' of them ready to be pulled out for projects. I have found their wood to be very consistent regardless of what size I am using. They carry blocks and thin sheets as well - good assortment. Good stuff - try it.
Additionally, the wood from Beavercraft is another source I have and I use for small projects as well. They are fairly consistent, yet I just had a hidden abnormality show up (knot or 'crotch') in a 1"x1" that stopped me in my tracks. It didn't show up till I got well into the project. It was a hard and twisted area that just couldn't be dealt with, so I abandoned that piece and started on another chunk. Would recommend their basswood as well for small projects and beginners too. Cheers.
I use the wood my dog brings me on our walks in the wood, sometimes just getting a mushroom or a wood spirit out of it is challenging, but fun and when he brings back a piece of lyme . . . oh oh oh . . . let the good times roll . . . great videos dough. thank you.
I've been using Beaver Craft for a while now and love it. Thanks for answering the question one last time!
Cool! Thanks Doug! ..for the info..
Thank you! I had a bad time trying to carve in a random bass wood I got online and finally stopped trying. Had no idea if it was a problem with the tools i have (I've sent them for proffesional sharpening) or the wood. Since this Beavercraft wood is fairly cheap (I'm in Poland and it's even cheaper here) I can give it a second try!
I’ve had good luck with getting basswood from Amazon. I also like Chipping Away since I like Canadian:). Thanks Doug
I just started carving today!!! My first 5 min wizard. Did not come out like yours but it did look like something!! I just wanted to say that I used beavercraft knifes from Amazon and they also seem to be pretty knice!! Thanks for the videos!! Keep up the good work bra!!
Hiya Doug!!!!! Thank You!! Take Care All! 🤗💚🙏
Thank you Doug ..Bought some basswood from a guy in Tenn from his barn .. Worse purchase I ever made ..so hard had to end up throwing it away ..Thank you for sharing my friend 🤣🤣
Based on your opening the box of 16 1x1s from Beavercraft, I ordered the same from Amazon. Arrived an hour ago. Unfortunately for me mine was full of mold. No doubt a problem of storage along the way from the Ukraine. The wood looked good under the mold though.
A&M Wood Specialty, Cambridge Ontario, Exotic Woods, Burlington Ontario, Century Mill Lumber, London Ontario. All have good basswood & butternut. I also agree with Chipping Away, Waterloo Ontario as well as Lee Valley.
I used to buy all my carving lumber from a local saw mill, he had walnut slabs over 2 feet wide, he wrote on one with a red magic marker, "not for sale, we like to look at it". Unfortunately he has passed on, left the mill to son in law who ran it into the ground. He would always keep old dry basswood and pine for me. A carpenter friend gave me a 6x8 by 6 foot piece of butternut, it was old and beautiful to carve, I've actually bought pine from my local home hardware that turned out great, but I pick it out. Another friend gave me a huge piece of a pine beam out of an old barn, carved so nice.
I’ve been carving cedar and really like it. It’s flaky but easy to work around. I’ve never used basswood before. Want to but I can pick cedar up off the ground.
The family business in Wisconsin. Heineke, excellent stuff
Love your videos. You are awesome ,thank you
Thank you Sr. Really I appreciate your information, I admire your work very much!! Regards!!
I buy CanUsa basswood off of Amazon. Never had any problems with it
I’ve ordered theirs several times and it is good stuff, reasonable price too.
Thank you for your honest review. Very much appreciated.
Bellforest products has great Basswood I've ordered from them for years
I carve with Beavercraft since 2019 and I love their woods ( and knives too ). 👌
And I’ve noticed that Beavercraft’s wood is more dense ( slow growth maybe ) than my local Quebec, canadian wood.
I also like woodcraft but I recommend going in to select your woods. Hummul has the cheapest that I have found for basswood. I have had a few pieces over the decades of carving and ordering wood where there where soft dark inclusions, but that is rare.
I've found a great place to get basswood is KJP Select Hardwoods in Ottawa. You can buy 4/4 and 8/4 rough-cut basswood in 10 or 20 board-feet packs. the boards are 3"-6" wide so you need to be able to cut to size but so far it has been excellent wood to carve.
I love carving butternut. Love the look and feel of the wood. Definitely dulls my blades faster than basswood lol
I had some good luck with the BeaverCraft Basswood from Amazon, but it was getting too expensive when i needed more...
I watched your video when you cut down a lot of Basswood blannks... And i went out and bought a cheap used Ryobi 9" bandsaw... Then went to the Rockler store here and bought a 2x8x24 piece of basswood... Cut to legths and widths i wanted and it turned out great!
Tried some pine from the local big box store and i just could not get through it! My hands were very sore for the next week.
But u gues you have to build the carving hand muscles!
Thank you for the video!
You h@ve to make sure it us white pine. The big stores use spruce or yellow pine
@@markkortekamp389Thank you.... It must be spruce or yellow pine... It is really hard to whittle!
For woodcarving, I prefer alder wood. It works best for me and I like its color. It can also be painted well, but I personally only use linseed oil with beeswax.
I was definitely someone who asked 😂😂😂 thanks Doug!
Winter is fast approaching and prime time to harvest it. If you know any landowners from New England, ask them. Most landowners I know would give you the wood if you clean up after the cut. Basswood isn't used for much in our area. Good hunting.
Silly me, I always find myself wishing for your hand strength! Love Tree Line, Moore Roughouts and Lee Valley. All have good shipping times. Will try Beaver Craft, just to say I did. Looking forward to seeing more cottonwood bark suggestions. The native trees by me are mesquite and palo verde…not ideal
Doug's thumbs are probably stronger than most of our forearms, but I think the real trick is that he knows how to get and keep his blades really sharp. It's amazing how much difference "kinda sharp" and "scary sharp" make in cutting almost anything!
Hey Doug! I have a friend with an old basswood that is on it's final journey. I would love to save some from going into his wood stove! Now to listen to your video ....
Have used beaver craft for a couple of years , just like any other supplier an occasional piece of firewood but pretty rare. Have used other suppliers for different dimensional wood and an occasional firewood chunk. By the way Amazon also has spools. Not sure of wood type but still pretty cheap.
I used to get my basswood from Amazon. But I always got dry and brittle wood most of the time, then I started getting beavercraft wood and it carves a lot nicer. Them someone recommended Hienicke basswood.... I love it!!!! They are really nice to deal with too. I am starting to branch out into other woods now, after 2 years of carving nothing but basswood😅. Haven't tried the butternut I got yet, I want to try red cedar because my grandpa likes the color. He doesn't carve, but always says I should try it, I think he wants a carving of it from me😊. If anyone knows of a good dealer of red cedar, let me know please.
tks. to make this video. i did purchase few time beavercraft wood and been good for me.
Glad you tried the beaver craft wood, i am just starting and brought braver craft tools to start with.❤
Hi Doug, I’m in Pickering Ontario. Got some real nice 3x3 in 4ft and 6ft lengths at peacock lumber in Oshawa. Cost me $28 for ten feet (2m)
I love Moore basswood and roughouts. I don't think they sell 1 by 1 but when you cut their 2 by 2 blocks down the unit price is excellent. Still, none of these sources are very expensive when you get down to a 1 by 1. I've done a fair amount of pen turning with exotic wood 3/4 by 3/4 blocks and those are a little pricey, but still manageable for the wonderful choices of wood. And then turn around and sell a $50 handmade pen.
I'm in France. Bought some supposedly basswood blocks on Amazon and the wood is not at all as soft as I thought it would be. We have a whole lane with Tilleul trees 20m from our house, I believe this is the French for basswood, also called Linden in English. I pick up some branches that break off during storms and so on and then I take off the bark and dry it. Still not butter soft but actually fairly easy to carve
Thanks Doug
Take care
Cheers
Harold
Mr. Linker my name is Bill and a big fan of yours, I was wondering if you have a video of carving from a glued on pattern. I just can’t get the process to compute in my old hillbilly brain.
I have watched your videos and really enjoy how you teach the complete process and take the time to explain it !
Thanks for the help .
Doug...
I managed a building supply for 40 years or more....
We sold basswood by the units or by the piece.
Probably any good building supply would sell basswood as it is a perfect product for cabinet makers.
Great video. I purchase basswood from Windsor Plywood so far all of it has been great.
Cottonwood bark I can get it either in Winnipeg Manitoba or have friends in Alberta that will collect it for me
Yup, I've had good luck with Windsor Plywood in Calgary also😊
Hi Doug! Your work is amazing and whimsical! My husband enjoys watching you whittle your magic. What kind of brush do you recommend?
As for Lee Valley for basswood, i found it hard as rock.
I bought a hook knife and a carving knife from beaver craft, i think there great.
And the only problem i have is not getting them sharp like they where when I got them.
I bought a good-sized piece of basswood from Loess Hills Sawmill in Iowa as they say their wood is air-cured. That is supposed to be the main difference between hard (kiln-dried) and less hard wood. Along with the other wood I purchased from a place called Beavertooth Oak in Medford, OR, a lumber store, no relation to Beavercraft- I have enough basswood to last me a long time. I also like Yellow Pine. It is a much prettier wood with interesting grain etc. But can be harder to carve details in small pieces.
I've bought wood from beavercraft. I've never had a problem with them. There is a Klingspor less than an hour from me. I buy my gouges and some wood from them, they are pretty good. I like to local pine. People are always cutting trees around here and the winter and storms take down a lot too. I never have to buy pine, I can literally drive around and pick it up. A long time ago I got a free chunk of oak. It was a little over 2 feet across and a little over a foot thick. I used a king Arthur chain blade attachment that goes on an angle grinder to carve that.
My local building supply center has a large variety of exotic woods including Basswood.
Hello
In Europe you have 2 different kind of Basswood or Lindenwood it is the same . Only differents is you have winter and sommer Linde they might carve a little different because of moisture content. 😊
Hi Doug, that wood is not the normal stuff available in the UK, the stuff available to us has been awfully hard compared to USA/Canadian stuff. I have carved with both and know what it’s like. However, the beaver craft stuff is now available in the UK and I have just ordered a couple of boxes . Hopefully it’s as good as your order, I can’t see why it’s not, but I will let you know.
My husband and I are absolute beginners and we’ve been pleased with each batch of Beaver Craft basswood. Their customer service is terrific too.
Are they available on amazon UK as well?
Yes, Amazon UK sells Beavercraft basswood.
Spoiler alert, the 3 x packs of the exact same stuff as Doug came last night and it’s rubbish. Not the creamy white wood Doug has, mine is dark and hard. Knew it.
Big help thanks for trying that out.
Wow what a shop! Nice
My first wood carving was your cardinal on a fence post. I used a poplar dowel from a leftover project and it was hard wood! I got er done, it looks more like a junco haha! I'll be buying some beavercraft wood. Can you recommend a good knife from them? If you could only have 1 knife, which one. Like the flex cut from your video but beavercraft. I don't know all the terms yet, sorry.
Kettle Moraine Hardwoods Inc. Here in Wisconsin
Thank you for this video.
Thank you very nice
Glad to hear Beavercraft is good. I just ordered some yesterday. The Asian stuff not so much.
Beavercraft wood and tools are perfectly good for someone like me who doesn't have ready access to carving stuff. Is there better out there? Sure... but for the money you really can't go wrong with Beavercraft as a beginner or more casual carver.
Bought two packages of Beavercraft, based on your recommendation. Both were hard as rocks and completely uncarveable with a knife. OLD. Probably a year or more old.
Thanks Doug. I live outside Edmonton and I'm looking for a Cottonwood source. Cottonwood is plentiful here but doesn't produce a bark thick enough for deep carving.
Thank you
Heinecke wood for the win! Got their name from one of your vids a few years back and been very satisfied with the wood and service! Great, old school, family business that cares!
I have been wanting to try Heinecke for a while now. Do their 1" X 1" blocks run true to size? I'm still at the point where I rely on measurements a lot from the tutorials.
they say on website planed to 7/8 but still excellent wood@@delbertsmith1382
In Ottawa, KJP Select Hardwood for basswood, butternut and walnut.
Beginning carver looking for suggestions on a carving knife and palm tools.
I like cedar!
Thanks doug.
I’ve used Beavercraft and found it a good choice. I also like Heineke (sp). My local supplier Keim lumber in Holms county Ohio have ok basswood. I’d like to get some recommendations on butternut
I just had to Laugh, great advice Doug Thank You 🙏
Thanks Doug 💪💪
That's actually the only basswood I like of what I've bought. I did try some off Amazon that was a Wisconsin basswood, but I found the Ukraine variety much better and better cut too.
Рекламна інтеграція ))) Біверкоафти вже й до вас добрались 😊
I have been getting my wood from Amazon small name producers and beavercraft this far. I don't see much of a difference between them to be honest. The 1 1/2 blocks are the harder ones for me to find but I think I have a new source for those. I'll repost with more info when I have it
See my post about the 1.5 x 1.5 blocks
@paulthatcher2985 thanks. I looked it up. I'm looking into another source as well.
Hi di what doug did and bigger piece cut down to your size better that way you what you want or try white pine yes white pine not spruce or yellow pine
I have a question and it is not about wood , BUT it is about your hands/fingers.
How do you NOT have hand and or finger cramping and or what is called trigger finger ( finger locks up against you palm on it;s own ) and do you have hand issues ?
I ask because I use my hands a lot but trying to carve etc causes me pain and issues, just curious
Yep at 70 , me too.
In addition to where you can get the best Basswood for carving,
what is the best whetstone that you recommend?
What is the best leather strop that you recommend?
What are the 5 carving knives that you recommend?
Do you recommend a glove for beginners?
Do you recommend a thumb guard for beginners?
Do you recommend safety tape for beginners?