Choosing wood for spoon and figure carving
Written by Mattias Höög · Last updated
Short answer
Freshly cut green wood of birch, alder, lime (basswood) or fruitwoods is ideal for spoons because it is soft while wet and hardens as it dries. For figure whittling, dry, even-grained lime/basswood is the classic choice. Avoid woods with a strong smell or known toxicity for food utensils.
Green wood vs dry wood
Green wood contains a lot of water, which makes it much easier to cut with a knife and axe. Carve spoons green and let them dry slowly away from direct heat to reduce cracking. Dry wood is better for small detailed figures because it does not move while drying.
Good species
- Birch: the classic Scandinavian spoon wood, strong and fine-grained.
- Alder: soft and easy to carve green, and turns an orange tone.
- Lime / basswood: soft, even and ideal for whittling figures.
- Cherry, apple and other fruitwoods: beautiful and durable for spoons.
Grain matters
Choose straight, knot-free sections. Keep the pith (the centre of the log) out of the piece, because it tends to crack as the wood dries.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best wood for carving a spoon?
- Freshly cut birch is a classic choice. Alder, cherry and other fruitwoods also work well.
- What is the best wood for whittling?
- Dry lime (basswood) is the traditional favourite because it is soft and even-grained.