Wood for decoy heads?

K

Kevin Puls

Well-known member
I am tinkering with Pine because of price and availability.

What does everyone use for heads for ease of carving?

Where do you find your wood to work with?
 
Whatever your budget and current carving ability dictate. I would rank cedar as slightly more resilient than pine, but some folks like me are allergic to the resin it contains. If you knife carve heads rather than grind, it is a good choice. Basswood carves well but "fuzzs" when it is sanded. Spalted basswood can usually be purchased at a reduced price. I just made some heads out of tupelo. Very nice tp carve and grind. bit more expensive.
 
Sugar pine was used for heads and bodies years ago because of availability and price. Basswood is easier to carve and more consistant through the piece of wood. Pine has more pitch and and has hard spots.
If you are starting out, carve what you can get your hands on. Still have 8-9 heads rough carved for really oversized black ducks [good idea at the time]. Just have fun...
 
Pattern grade Sugar Pine & well aged White Pine are my favorites. Stay away from yellow pine and anything from big box stores. Find a good sawmill and quality lumber yard/dealer, and yer in business.
 
Interesting, the first wood I grabbed and started roughing out is yellow pine, from some leftover 2x6 from a big box store. Glad to know I am handicapping myself already. Lol.

I don't know of any lumber yards in my area, I will have to start searching.

Thanks all.
 
Yeah kiln dried wood from a box store is some tough stuff to carve. If you started with that and are still interested you've passed a big test in my book : )

Here's a couple of ideas...someone previously mentioned pattern grade sugar or white pine think old window or door jambs, go to old house salvage yards and look for pine that was probably air dried, you could also order roughed out heads from Willy McDonald to get started with quality wood, some Millworks stores carry lumber like Basswood, White Pine, Jelutong. Can be pricey but don't short change yourself by buying poor quality wood, good quality wood really adds to the pleasure of carving.

Once you find a type of wood you like to carve then you'll find sources. Dwane Ong (member on this site) http://www.downrivercedar.com/ sells quality White Cedar for carving...this stuff is a treat to carve.
 
In a couple weeks, you'll find everything you need and more at STRONGSVILLE!


Bring some cash, you're gonna need it...


Jon
 
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If the wood gets too dry, it is really tough to carve. I have some basswood that was good when I first got it. Now the pieces left are very hard. I have used some white pine that was the same. 2x4 stock likely will be very dry and tough.
 
Basswood in my experience the longer ya have it, it becomes harder than the Hubs Of Hell. Sugar Pine & White Pine can get almost black with oxidation over a very long period of time, but get past that and it's fantastic to carve with a knife. Heads doweled to the body with cedar arrow shafts have never broken. All my carving is done with hand tools, no Foredom or power tools. I like spiral wood chips, and despise clouds of saw dust. Nasty Stuff!

If there is a Amish sawmill in your area, stop and talk to them. They know where, and who has the White Pine, and you will get yer $$ worth. Bring the wood Inside, and let it sit for at least 6 months then get carvin'. Always keep pieces of wood in aged rotation marked in yer shop, and yer Good to GO.

Have Fun, and shoot ducks over yer own decoys! You will enjoy the Ohio show, lotta good folks and all the supplies ya need, so stock up.
 
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