It is always best to try out the many varieties of wood for yourself and determine which you find best for a particular subject. We like to see you use an easy wood like, Basswood, when you start to carve because then you do not have to fight with a difficult wood at the same time you are learning how to carve. Another point to bear in mind is that it is false economy to worry about spending a few dollars on a good piece of wood when you are going to put some 20 to 200 hours into the piece of fine art you are creating.

Wood is normally sold by the BOARD FOOT and you calculate the number of board feet in the piece that you need by multiplying the width times the thickness times the length and dividing the total for 144. For example 8"x14"x4" gives you 448 then divide this by 144 and you get 3.11 board feet. You then multiply this by the cost per BOARD FOOT of the wood you want, and you have the total cost. If this is too confusing, or too much trouble, just let us know what you want we will figure it out fairly.

Experimentation and originality are two of the most important traits in woodcarving so, by all means, if you think something will work---give it a try. Woodcarving is a great hobby and you may be pleasantly surprised at how much talent you have. All you need to start with is a knife, something to sharpen it with, a good beginner's book like (Woodcarving Illustrated") and a chunk of Basswood. Give it a few hours and it might just change your whole life!

Basswood is the wood of the Linden tree and grows, on this Continent, in Eastern Canada and the U.S.A. It is known ad Linden in Europe and as either Lime or Linden in Britain. Bass is usually considered the best wood for knife carving being easy to cut, strong, light in colour and with the capacity to tolerate a slightly dull tool. It exhibits very little grain pattern and can be polished up to a high gloss if desired. The density varies from firm t light and soft depending on the climate and altitude at which it is grown. The downside is that it has a tendency to get fuzzy when finishing, especially if water based finishes are used, but this can be minimized with proper sanding treatment. We carry blocks of various sizes and will come as close as possible to the dimensions that you want. We carefully pick the best wood.
1" $6.75 per Board Foot
2" $7.25 per Board Foot
4" $7.50 per Board Foot

Butternut also grows in Eastern Canada and is a very nice wood to carve. It has a grain pattern not unlike Walnut, but slightly coarser. It should be used when you do not wish to paint the object but want the natural grains to provide the desired accent. The grain patterns respond well to Tung Oil and other stains leaving a very pleasing appearance. Butternut carves much like Bass and sands to a high gloss.
4" $10.50 Per Board Foot

Red Cedar is a soft local wood used in some applications because of it's natural coloration it is a very durable wood when exposed to the elements and is easy to cut, though it tends to split and crush unless a very sharp knife is used. We carry some thick stock but supply is limited due to difficulty in kiln drying.
4" $6.50 Per Board Foot

Sugar Pine is a tree native to the Western area of Oregon and Washington. Sometimes called Pattern Pine because of its use in making patterns for molds, it is soft and easy to carve exhibiting a coarse grain pattern. Does not take detailing as well as Basswood but is fine for average work. Generally has large tight knots about every 18 inches. We carry some stock
4" $5.95 Per Board Foot

Tupelo grows in swampy areas of the U.S.A. This strange tree is soft and light for about five feet from the ground, then it is hard and very heavy from there up. The tree is felled at the five foot level and is used for making upholstered furniture and pallets. The stumps are left for a while then cut off close to the bottom for use in carving. There can be quite a variation in the density and quality of Tupelo so it is important to purchase this wood from a reputable supplier to get the best grade for your project. Tupelo is difficult to knife carve, as it has a tendency to crush, but is the best to grind with a Foredom or other rotary tool as it holds detail very well. It is the wood used most by bird carvers. We normally keep a wide selection of blocks and will come as close as we can to the dimensions that your order.
Various sized blocks $9.50 to $11.00 Per Board Foot Based on Size

Walnut has a very attractive grain pattern and is fairly easy to carve. We normally have it available in the 4" thickness from 4" to 18" depending n the supply at that moment. It is all kiln dried so will not split.
$11.00 - $18.00 Per Board Foot

Yellow Cedar is a strongly scented local wood that is native to British Columbia. Used mostly by Indian carvers for masks, bowls, spoons and other West Coast style items it is an oily wood that carves fairly easily and will come up to a nice natural finish. We occasionally have some hat is kiln dried but if it is not dried carefully it will split very easily. It is often carved while wet and then dried later but the mask, or other item, must be hollowed out to relive the strain on the wood. Bass is often used as a substitute.
Various sizes $8.00 Per Board Foot

Manzanita Root has a very irregular shape. Normally used for mounting birds or scenes on, it is Red in colour and may be carved to any shape if you do not like is present one. You have our Guarantee that no two pieces will be the same! It is hard to give it a price because the shapes are so varied but we have established some kind of standard. If it is not the piece that you were thinking of please return it.
"00" size - Roughly 2" to 3" $4.45
"0" size - Roughly 3" to 5" $5.85
'1' size - Roughly 5" to 7" $8.50
Larger Sizes Available