The best woods for carving
Contents |
Introduction
Wood carving requires malleable but sturdy woods for different types of wood carving, such as relief carving, whittling, carving in the round, and chip carving. As a process that can include the production of sculptures, musical instruments, furniture, and much more, it needs both soft woods for ease of carving and hard woods for a more aesthetically pleasing result.
European lime
A great choice for beginners and professional carvers. Pale white to cream in colour, lime has very subtle growth rings and is fine and even textured making it a popular choice for carvers. With sharp tools, intricate detailed work can be produced. It was the preferred wood for sculptor Grinling Gibbon who produced works in many historical buildings such as Windsor Castle, St Paul’s Cathedral and many more noted buildings.
White Pine
White pine has a medium grain texture and a cream colouring. As a soft wood, it is ideal for whittling with a simple knife. In contrast, its softness and grainy texture make it less ideal for chip carving. White pine is a good wood for carving in the round as it is easy to shape and fashion.
Basswood
With a light cream colour, basswood is both soft and easy to carve and whittle. Minimum skilled carvers or beginners can use this wood efficiently with only a knife needed. Complex designs are also easily made through the use of a hammer, a gouge, and a chisel. Chip carving isn’t advised however, as it is soft, but other carving methods are an excellent choice – particularly whittling with a knife.
European oak
European oak is a very popular hard wood. It is typically light to medium brown but there can be quite a variation in colour. The grain is straight coarse and can be interlocked. Oak has been used through the centuries for construction, cabinet work, flooring, historical carvings and so on.
Mahogany
Between a soft and a hard wood, mahogany is great for any wood carving technique, including chip carving. This wood always delivers aesthetically pleasing results, and is typically used as a base material for other projects. Mahogany has a reddish tone and requires little to no work, including wood tint and the application of veneer.
Butternut
One of the best soft woods that can be used for carving, butternut has large wood grains, it is coarse, and of a light brown colour. Whittling it with a knife or carving is very easy, and butternut is typically used by professionals because of its visible grains adding beauty to projects. Easy to work with and for any type of project, butternut is a great wood for beginners.
Sugar maple
Although one of the best woods for chip carving, sugar maple can be difficult to carve as it is a hard and dense wood. Sugar maple has a typically straight grain, with the potential for waviness, and an even and fine texture. It is great for musical instruments, veneer, baseball bats, and other speciality wood items.
Black walnut
With a medium grain, this hard wood is dark brown and hard to carve. It can provide both an aesthetically-pleasing and professional result with the right tools, but it is not typically a good wood for beginners. It does not need a lot of post-work after being worked, and it can be used for chip carving, relief carving, or wood carving. Whittling, however, can be difficult as it is a hard wood.
Cherry
This dense hard wood has a pinkish brown tint and wavy grains. It is ideal for chip carving, however, it is very difficult to whittle. It is typically an all-around good wood to work as it is stable and straight grained. When being stained, it can have blotchy results and a sanding sealer needs to be used before staining.
Related articles on Designing Buildings
- 11 things you didn't know about wood.
- Birch wood.
- Carpentry.
- Cedar.
- Chip carving.
- Forest Stewardship Council.
- Lime wood.
- Oak wood properties.
- Padauk wood.
- Pine wood.
- Properties of mahogany.
- Strapwork.
- The Art of Pyrography.
- Timber.
- Types of wood.
- Violet Pinwill, woodcarver.
- Wood figure.
- Hardwood
- History and Techniques of Woodturning
- The Uses of Wood in Construction
Featured articles and news
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
Grenfell Tower fire – eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.