Greenwood or Seasoned Wood: Which Offers Superior Carving Results?

 

For beginners entering the world of wood carving, you'll encounter two wood types: green wood, freshly cut and not yet dried, and dry wood, which has undergone seasoning or drying. Each of these wood types has its unique merits and drawbacks. Let's explore and compare them to assist you in making an informed choice.

Greenwood Carving

Greenwood refers to freshly cut wood that retains a high moisture content, making it exceptionally soft and easy to carve. It's a preferred choice for many spoon carvers due to its carving ease, especially when sourced from recently felled trees or branches, which are rich in sap, further enhancing the wood's softness.

However, it's important to note that carving greenwood carries the risk of cracking or splitting as it dries and loses moisture. To mitigate this, various methods can be employed, such as encasing the greenwood carvings in plastic bags to slow down the drying process, or applying substances like pentacryl and boiled linseed oil to prevent cracking.

Advantages of Working with Green Wood

Carving greenwood is beginner-friendly due to its ease of shaping with hand tools, allowing novices to practice and work faster with a diverse selection of wood components.

Disadvantages of Carving Green Wood

Green wood may develop cracks or splits as it dries, and it's less suitable for preserving fine details compared to dry wood.

Sculpting Dried Wood

Working with dry wood, which has been seasoned or kiln-dried to reduce its moisture content, can be more challenging for carving, especially when dealing with hardwoods like Oak and mahogany, which are particularly dense.

However, carving dry wood is ideal for seasoned woodworkers or when intricate detailing is required. Dry wood holds fine details better, and you can select pieces with appealing grain patterns for enhanced visual aesthetics.

For carving dense, dry hardwoods, you can employ power wood carving tools like the Foredom K-8301 flexible shaft machine or the Dremel 4300 micro motor machine, which make it easier to carve harder woods. Check out our recommendations for the best power wood carving tools.

Advantages of Sculpting Dried Wood

Dried wood remains crack-free after drying, preserves fine details effectively, and accommodates power carving on dense hardwoods.

Disadvantages of Sculpting Dried Wood

Carving dry and dense hardwoods with hand tools can be more challenging, requiring additional tools like chisels, and the risk of splintering during the carving process is higher.

Selecting Between Green Wood and Seasoned Wood

Greenwood carving is ideal for beginners and those using hand tools, such as when crafting wooden spoons. Its soft wood fibers make it easy to work with hand tools.

Carving dry wood necessitates a variety of tools like chisels or power tools, as it's harder to shape with just a wood carving or whittling knife. Beginners can choose softer woods like basswood, aspen, or butternut for dry wood carving. This is particularly suitable for larger wood carvings, as seasoned dry wood won't crack over time.

Keep in mind that dry wood requires maintaining a sharp knife due to its toughness, while the moisture content in greenwood facilitates easier cutting.

Availability also plays a role, with greenwood being more accessible for some, but dry wood may be the primary option for woodcarvers in urban areas, as it is typically easier to obtain.