Carving wood
Carving wood is specially selected wood that is ideal for making spoons, bowls, kuksas and all kinds of wood carving projects. It is easy to work with, produces few splinters and gives predictable cutting results. Common types of wood include basswood, which is perfect for beginners thanks to its soft texture, and walnut wood, which is popular with experienced makers for its warm colour and fine grain. Whether you’re just starting out with wood carving or have been carving for years, good carving wood makes all the difference.
14 Products
BeaverCraft Bird Owl Carving BlankIn stock
£10.49
£11.28
BeaverCraft Northern Cardinal Bird Carving BlankNot available
£10.49
£11.28
Ordered before 5:30 PM, shipped the same day
All prices include VAT, fees and charges
Our customers give us a 5-star rating
Delivery from our own stock
Characteristics of carving wood
Carving wood is selected for its grain structure, workability and stability. It contains as few knots as possible, has a fine grain and cuts smoothly without unexpected splintering. Basswood is softer and ideal for detailed work and beginners, whilst walnut wood is harder, making it well-suited for durable items such as spoons or kuksas. Good wood for wood carving helps you work more smoothly, safely and accurately.
How to choose the best wood for carving?
When carving spoons, kuksas and other figurines, you can choose from a variety of wood types, depending on your skill level or the desired end result. Basswood is ideal for beginners. Once you have mastered the cutting techniques, you can move on to harder woods such as walnut, cherry or maple.
Types of wood & ease of cutting
For beginners, basswood is by far the best choice: it is soft and has few fibres, which means it is less likely to split. For sturdy spoons or decorative work requiring greater contrast, walnut wood is ideal. Harder types of wood require sharper gouges and more experience.
Form & application
Our blocks and blanks come in various shapes, including rectangular blocks for figurines, pre-shaped spoon blanks, kuksa blocks and more. A spoon blank or kuksa blank takes care of the rough shaping for you, so you can get started with the actual carving sooner.
Moisture content
Some projects are best carved from fresh wood[SL2.1], whilst others should be carved from dry wood. Dried wood works best for detailed work and decorative carving.
Tools & accessories
Good carving wood goes hand in hand with good tools. Think of gouges, spoon knives, draw knives, or sharpening tools to keep your tools sharp. Cut-resistant gloves or finger protection are also valuable additions for safety.