What do you guys think about carving with white ash? I got a few hunks locally when the power company took down some trees. It seems awful hard, and I'm using an electric saw so my power is limited. I did one bear that came out ok, but I'm wondering how the ash weathers

Cracks like a mofo.... Pine or cedar is best for around here, with all the humidity, and frost....

I've done a few pieces in ash and this is what I learned:

Small pieces that I can finish in a day or two and then pile on a penetrating oil and other crack preventative measures such as drilling holes and a releif cut usually end up OK. However, larger pieces which may take a few weeks to work on often begin cracking before I get to finish them.

I only get to carve for about an hour a day so it may sometimes take me a week or two to complete some carving projects. With that being said, I use ash for some of my smaller carving projects.

Kevin

It makes dam good fire wood

Thanks for the feedback. As a newbie I want to practice on any wood I can get my hands on. I'm going to try and put a relief cut on my latest and see what happens.