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Basswood Wood Grain

Basswood Wood

Basswood is a soft, lightweight hardwood with a fine, even grain that makes it exceptionally easy to carve and machine. Its pale color and smooth texture make it a top choice for carving, turning, and painting projects where detail and clean finishes are important.

Basswood Wood

  • Lumber

  • Basswood Lumber for sale

    4/4 Basswood Lumber

    $9.95 - $24.95
    $9.95
    $9.95 - $24.95
    $9.95 - $24.95
    $9.95

    The best wood for carving! Basswood has a beautiful creamy colour that can range from pale white to light brown with no clear division between hear...

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    $9.95 - $24.95
    $9.95
    $9.95 - $24.95
    $9.95 - $24.95
    $9.95
  • Basswood Rough Cut Lumber Pack Success Acti

    4/4 Basswood Lumber Pack

    $66.50 - $113.10
    $66.50
    $66.50 - $113.10
    $66.50 - $113.10
    $66.50

    The best wood for carving! Choose from 2 different sizes of our 4/4 Basswood Rough Cut Lumber Packs; 10 Board feet or 20 Board Feet. We will carefu...

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    $66.50 - $113.10
    $66.50
    $66.50 - $113.10
    $66.50 - $113.10
    $66.50
  • basswood lumber

    8/4 Basswood Lumber

    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95
    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95

    The best wood for carving! Basswood has a beautiful creamy colour that can range from pale white to light brown with no clear division between hear...

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    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95
    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95
  • 8/4 Basswood Maple Rough Cut Lumber Pack

    8/4 Basswood Lumber Pack

    $76.50 - $131.10
    $76.50
    $76.50 - $131.10
    $76.50 - $131.10
    $76.50

    The best wood for carving! Choose from 2 different sizes of our 8/4 Basswood Rough Cut Lumber Packs; 10 Board feet or 20 Board Feet. We will carefu...

    View full details
    $76.50 - $131.10
    $76.50
    $76.50 - $131.10
    $76.50 - $131.10
    $76.50
  • 4/4 Basswood Lumber - Full Length
    Save up to $99.00 Save $0.00

    4/4 Basswood Lumber - Full Length

    $24.75 - $495.00
    $24.75 - $495.00
    $24.75
    $24.75 - $396.00
    $24.75 - $396.00
    $24.75

    4/4 Basswood Lumber in long lengths Grade: Select & Better Kiln Dried These boards are considered rough stock and may have minor defects such...

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    $24.75 - $495.00
    $24.75 - $495.00
    $24.75
    $24.75 - $396.00
    $24.75 - $396.00
    $24.75
    Save up to $99.00 Save $0.00

  • S4S Lumber

  • S4S Basswood Lumber

    Online / Pre-Order S4S Basswood Lumber

    $14.95 - $31.95
    $14.95
    $14.95 - $31.95
    $14.95 - $31.95
    $14.95

    The best wood for carving! Basswood has a beautiful creamy colour that can range from pale white to light brown with no clear division between hear...

    View full details
    $14.95 - $31.95
    $14.95
    $14.95 - $31.95
    $14.95 - $31.95
    $14.95
  • S4S Basswood Lumber

    Online / Pre-Order S4S Basswood Lumber - Thick

    $21.95 - $38.95
    $21.95
    $21.95 - $38.95
    $21.95 - $38.95
    $21.95

    The best wood for carving! Basswood has a beautiful creamy colour that can range from pale white to light brown with no clear division between hear...

    View full details
    $21.95 - $38.95
    $21.95
    $21.95 - $38.95
    $21.95 - $38.95
    $21.95

  • Carving Blocks

  • Basswood Carving Block

    Basswood Carving Block - 1" x 5" x 18"

    $8.95 - $8.95
    $8.95
    $8.95 - $8.95
    $8.95

    4/4 Basswood Carving Blank Are you looking for a nice and easy white wood for hand carving? Basswood is an ideal species for both beginners and exp...

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    $8.95 - $8.95
    $8.95
    $8.95 - $8.95
    $8.95

  • Basswood Carving Block - 2" x 5" x 18"

    $13.95 - $13.95
    $13.95
    $13.95 - $13.95
    $13.95

    8/4 Basswood Carving Blank Are you looking for a nice and easy white wood for hand carving? Basswood is an ideal species for both beginners and exp...

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    $13.95 - $13.95
    $13.95
    $13.95 - $13.95
    $13.95

  • Basswood Carving Block - 2" x 2" x 6" (Set of 9)

    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95

    2" Basswood Carving Blank Set (9 PCS) Are you looking for a nice and easy white wood for hand carving? Basswood is an ideal species for both beginn...

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    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
  • Basswood Carving Blocks

    Basswood Carving Block - 3" x 5" x 18"

    $27.95 - $27.95
    $27.95
    $27.95 - $27.95
    $27.95

    12/4 Basswood Carving Blank Are you looking for a nice and easy white wood for hand carving? Basswood is an ideal species for both beginners and ex...

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    $27.95 - $27.95
    $27.95
    $27.95 - $27.95
    $27.95
  • Basswood Carving Blocks

    Basswood Carving Block - 4" x 8" x 18"

    $49.95 - $49.95
    $49.95
    $49.95 - $49.95
    $49.95

    16/4 Basswood Carving Blank Are you looking for a nice and easy white wood for hand carving? Basswood is an ideal species for both beginners and ex...

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    $49.95 - $49.95
    $49.95
    $49.95 - $49.95
    $49.95
  • Basswood Carving Block

    Basswood Carving Block - 4" x 5-1/2" x 18"

    $36.95 - $36.95
    $36.95
    $36.95 - $36.95
    $36.95

    16/4 Basswood Carving Block A nice and easy white wood for hand carving! Basswood is an ideal carving wood for both beginners and experienced carve...

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    $36.95 - $36.95
    $36.95
    $36.95 - $36.95
    $36.95

  • Basswood Carving Block - 4" x 6-1/2" x 18"

    $41.95 - $41.95
    $41.95
    $41.95 - $41.95
    $41.95

    16/4 Basswood Carving Blank Are you looking for a nice and easy white wood for hand carving? Basswood is an ideal species for both beginners and ex...

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    $41.95 - $41.95
    $41.95
    $41.95 - $41.95
    $41.95
  • Basswood Carving Block - 3" x 7" x 18"

    Basswood Carving Block - 3" x 7" x 18"

    $34.95 - $34.95
    $34.95
    $34.95 - $34.95
    $34.95

    12/4 Basswood Carving Blank Are you looking for a nice and easy white wood for hand carving? Basswood is an ideal species for both beginners and ex...

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    $34.95 - $34.95
    $34.95
    $34.95 - $34.95
    $34.95
  • Walnut, Butternut, and Basswood carving blocks set

    Starter Carving Block Set - 2" x 2" x 6" (Set of 9)

    $32.95 - $32.95
    $32.95
    $32.95 - $32.95
    $32.95

    Mixed Starter Carving Blank Set (9 PCS) This assorted set is ideal for both beginners and experienced carvers! Our team of dedicated woodcarvers wi...

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    $32.95 - $32.95
    $32.95
    $32.95 - $32.95
    $32.95
  • Woodcarving Starter Set
    Save $4.00 Save $0.00

    Starter Carving Block Set - 1" x 5" x 18"

    $43.95
    $43.95 - $43.95
    $43.95
    $39.95
    $39.95 - $39.95
    $39.95

    Mixed Starter Carving Blank Set Are you looking for a nice and easy wood for hand carving? These three popular carving species are great for both b...

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    $43.95
    $43.95 - $43.95
    $43.95
    $39.95
    $39.95 - $39.95
    $39.95
    Save $4.00 Save $0.00

  • Live Edge

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    Live Edge Plaque - Basswood ( 11" - 14" )

    $24.95 - $32.95
    $24.95
    $24.95 - $32.95
    $24.95 - $32.95
    $24.95

    Basswood Live Edge Plaque for Wood Burning & Pyrography  Create detailed woodburning art, personalized signs, and one-of-a-kind projects with o...

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    $24.95 - $32.95
    $24.95
    $24.95 - $32.95
    $24.95 - $32.95
    $24.95
  • Live Edge Basswood Plaque

    Live Edge Plaque - Basswood ( 6" - 9" Wide )

    $10.95 - $21.95
    $10.95
    $10.95 - $21.95
    $10.95 - $21.95
    $10.95

    Basswood Live Edge Plaque for Wood Burning & Pyrography  Create detailed woodburning art, personalized signs, and one-of-a-kind projects with o...

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    $10.95 - $21.95
    $10.95
    $10.95 - $21.95
    $10.95 - $21.95
    $10.95

  • Live Edge Plaque - Basswood ( 9" - 11" )

    $15.95 - $26.95
    $15.95
    $15.95 - $26.95
    $15.95 - $26.95
    $15.95

    Basswood Live Edge Plaque for Wood Burning & Pyrography  Create detailed woodburning art, personalized signs, and one-of-a-kind projects with o...

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    $15.95 - $26.95
    $15.95
    $15.95 - $26.95
    $15.95 - $26.95
    $15.95

  • Live Edge Plaque - Basswood - Rustic

    $7.95 - $17.95
    $7.95
    $7.95 - $17.95
    $7.95 - $17.95
    $7.95

    Basswood Live Edge Plaque for Wood Burning & Pyrography  Create detailed woodburning art, personalized signs, and one-of-a-kind projects with o...

    View full details
    $7.95 - $17.95
    $7.95
    $7.95 - $17.95
    $7.95 - $17.95
    $7.95

Basswood (Tilia americana)

Pricing:



Affordable

Hardness:

410

Janka

Distribution:



Eastern North America

Availability:



Readily Available

Appearance

Basswood has a beautiful creamy colour that can range from pale white to light brown with no clear division between heart and sap wood. The face grain of the wood is the most uniform in color and the grain is fine and straight.

Workability

Working with Basswood is an absolute joy. It cuts like a hot knife through butter and despite being soft, it holds detail extremely well.

Uses

It’s prized by carvers but is also used for electric guitar bodies, veneer, and plywood.

Additional Comments

There is nothing more satisfying than using freshly sharpened hand tools on Basswood. It hand planes and carves like a dream and is a pleasure to use.

Have you made something with Basswood?

Send us an email with your project for a chance to be featured here and on our social media!

Frequently Asked Questions About Basswood Wood

What is Basswood used for?

Basswood is used for carving, whittling, model making, musical instrument components (guitar bodies, speaker cabinets), drawing boards, blinds, and craftwork.

Is Basswood the best wood for carving?

Basswood is widely considered the best all-around wood for carving and whittling in North America.

How hard is Basswood?

Basswood has a Janka hardness of approximately 410 lbf.

What color is Basswood?

Basswood is a very pale, creamy white to light yellowish-tan with virtually no color variation between heartwood and sapwood.

Is Basswood good for guitar bodies?

Yes. Basswood is a popular tonewood for electric guitar bodies, particularly in mid-range and professional instruments.

Does Basswood have a scent?

Basswood has a faint scent when freshly cut that is not strongly resinous or aromatic.

Can Basswood be stained?

Yes. Basswood accepts stains very well. It stains evenly without significant blotching.

Is Basswood good for laser engraving?

Yes. Basswood is a great wood for laser engraving and cutting.

What is the difference between Basswood and Balsa?

Both Basswood and Balsa are soft, light, and used for carving and models, but they are very different. Balsa (Janka ~70 lbf) is the softer of the two and used primarily for model aircraft and lightweight structural models. Basswood (Janka ~410 lbf) is harder, holds finer detail, and is preferred for carving.

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