Best Wood for Whittling: The Best woods for Whittling (And those to Avoid)

The best wood for Whittling, Whittling is a timeless art many have enjoyed for centuries.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, choosing the right type of wood for your project can make a big difference in the outcome.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the best woods for Whittling and help you learn how to select the suitable wood for your next project.

Best Wood for Whittling

Whittling wood with a chisel. 

Each wood type is different in terms of characteristics and properties, making it suitable for particular projects.

In particular, engraving difficulty can vary depending on the wood species and the tools you use.

Let us look at the various whittling kinds of wood in order of increasing engraving difficulty.

Balsa Wood

Balsa Tree Leaves and Flowers. 

Opting for Balsa may be wise for a beginner due to its lightweight characteristics. The soft texture of Balsa allows for the easy making of precise cuts.

Southern Mexico, Brazil, and Bolivia are the places of origin for Balsa wood.

When you’re carving with balsa wood, it’s similar to working with a very dense sponge.

It might feel firm when holding it in your hands, but if you press down too hard or drop it, you’ll find that it can dent and deform easily.

Basswood

Basswood tree. 

When it comes to Whittling, Basswood is the go-to wood. It’s the top choice for people who are just starting and those with experience.

You’ll find it easy to work with because it’s soft and easy to cut or slice. 

Plus, the grain of the wood is fine, which means it’s less likely to split or chip compared to other woods you could use for carving.

They originate from Southern Canada. You can also find it in the Midwest and Eastern regions of the United States.

Aspen

Aspen trees are among the best wood for Whittling. 

Aspen is worth considering if you’re looking for wood that’s easy to carve by hand. You may have seen it and noticed it’s even softer than Basswood.

Generally, the grain is straight and delicate, which makes it ideal for intricate carvings. Plus, it’s not likely to split or crack as you work on it.

When carving wood, you might run into the issue of it fuzzing up. However, you can easily prevent this with practice and making sure your blades are sharp.

They are indigenous to regions from Canada to the United States and as far south as central Mexico.

Aspen wood is not a good choice for flooring, furniture, or other heavy-duty applications, due to its softness and relatively short lifespan.

White Pine

Pine Trees. 

White pine is native to Northeast Canada, and its natural range extends from Newfoundland to Ontario. It is also common along the Appalachian Mountains and in Midwest USA.

Specifically, white pine is a bit softer than Basswood and has a hardness rating of 350lbf. Additionally, it has low tool wear, and its wood grain varies.

If you are an intermediate or a skilled carver, this wood is appropriate for your whittling projects. But, although this wood is good for beginners, it might be tricky because it has knots.

Poplar

Poplar trees.

If you’re looking for a wood that’s both easy to find and versatile in its uses, look no further than poplar. This type of wood is common in many projects, including furniture and trim.

You can usually find large planks at most hardware stores at a great price.

Poplar is harder to work with than Basswood in carving. But don’t let that deter you – it’s still manageable to do by hand.

Poplar is a better choice than pine for carving because it holds finer details and has a more uniform wood grain.

Butternut (white walnut)

A Walnut tree with fruits. 

You may know Butternut wood as “White Walnut” because its grain pattern is similar to that of Black Walnut. Black Walnut is also one of the pricey woods among woodworkers. 

When it comes to hand carving, you’ll find that Butternut is much more manageable than Black Walnut.

This is because it’s softer and easier to work with, unlike Black Walnut, which is quite dense and requires more effort to shape.

They are widely available throughout the eastern regions of Canada and the United States.

Cottonwood

An old cottonwood tree. 

Cottonwood is a great alternative to Basswood and is easy to carve.

You can usually find it online as cottonwood bark, but it’s not readily available in pre-processed boards or planks. 

If you’re starting with wood carving, this type of wood is a great choice. It’s easy to work with, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to add interesting details. 

It also has a nice dark color, which is different from the lighter color of Basswood. Because the grain of this wood is a bit coarser, you’ll need to pay extra attention.

Make sure you’re cutting along its grain instead of against it.

Cedar (Eastern Red)

An old Cedar tree. 

If you’re planning to work with Eastern Red Cedar, expect more whittling difficulty than some other woods on our list.

Because of this, we recommend having an intermediate level of woodworking skills before tackling a project with this wood.

Eastern Red Cedar looks beautiful and has a great aroma that you can describe as rich, slightly sweet, and crisp. Like

Basswood, you can easily find dried Eastern Red Cedar at hobby and craft stores. 

Also, you should avoid applying any finish on your Eastern Red Cedar carvings.

The natural color and texture of the wood are so unique that it would be a shame to cover it up.

Tupelo

Tupelo Tree.

Tupelo, commonly called the black gum tree, is native to North America. This wood is light, strong, and easy to work with, making it appropriate for beginners and skilled carvers.

In terms of usability, you can use Tupelo wood for various projects, including carving and furniture. Its hardness ranges from 810 to 880lbf, and it can cause some wear on tools.

Moreover, Tupelo has a fine wood grain that makes it suitable for flooring.

Unfortunately, Tupelo is not a common tree; you may only find it in the Southeastern United States.

Black Cherry 

Beautiful Black Cherry trees.

The tree is the proper wood for your project if you’re planning on carving durable items such as cooking spoons. Its natural colors are attractive, and it has fine wood grain.

Black Cherry trees are native to South and North America and are expensive due to their beauty and durability.

However, black cherry is a bit harder than the other woods we’ve discussed, and it can easily tear out your tools.

Hence, Black Cherry requires quite some experience to work with, making it challenging for beginners.

Black Walnut

Black Walnut is native to North America, and its natural range extends from Southern Ontario through Midwestern and Eastern USA.

It has an attractive grain pattern, which makes it popular for decorative woodwork, furniture, and flooring.

Moreover, black walnut is the hardest of all the woods we have discussed, with a Janka hardness rating of 1010lbf.

Hence, it suits people with advanced whittling skills and is the most expensive hardwood in North America. 

Conclusion

When choosing the best wood for Whittling, you must consider your type of project.

Softwoods like Basswood are great for beginners as they are easy to carve and shape.

Conversely, hardwoods like black cherry are more durable and better suited for advanced projects.

Whatever type of wood you choose, always use a sharp knife and take your time to create a beautiful, handcrafted piece.

For more on the best wood for Whittling, reach out to us.