Let’s talk about woodcarvingAdministrator2020-02-03T16:00:40-05:00
Discussions on this forum are membership-run. I (Mary May) will monitor conversations and will try and contribute as needed. However, I can't guarantee that I will always have time to keep up with the discussions. Please feel free to contribute, as the only way this forum will be successful is if members get involved! I will also be the "judge and juror" with inappropriate, rude, or offensive behavior, so play nice!
Problem with the wood (?)

Jane Corwin@tata13
5 Posts
Quote from Jane Corwin on June 2, 2022, 1:29 pm
Hi there,
I tried to carve several projects (Mary's lessons) and every time I see the same thing - Mary cuts almost everything like a butter, mine wood is stringy, brittle and rough looking in the end. Is it that my tools are dull? I got a crooked hands? wood (it's basswood) is wrong? or anything else?
Thanks for any help!
Hi there,
I tried to carve several projects (Mary's lessons) and every time I see the same thing - Mary cuts almost everything like a butter, mine wood is stringy, brittle and rough looking in the end. Is it that my tools are dull? I got a crooked hands? wood (it's basswood) is wrong? or anything else?
Thanks for any help!

MaryMay@marymay
443 Posts
Quote from MaryMay on July 11, 2022, 3:16 pm
Hi Jane,
It could be many things. Yes, it could be dull tools that just crush the wood rather than cutting it. Basswood tends to leave little "hairs" along the edges. That is usually from not very definite cuts. As a beginner, there is a tendency to be hesitant to make decisive cuts. As you grow with carving, those cuts become more definite and decisive, and fewer of those "fuzzies" appear. So yes, sharp tools, good quality wood, and decisive cuts, and you're there 🙂
Hi Jane,
It could be many things. Yes, it could be dull tools that just crush the wood rather than cutting it. Basswood tends to leave little "hairs" along the edges. That is usually from not very definite cuts. As a beginner, there is a tendency to be hesitant to make decisive cuts. As you grow with carving, those cuts become more definite and decisive, and fewer of those "fuzzies" appear. So yes, sharp tools, good quality wood, and decisive cuts, and you're there 🙂