Varieties of Wood
Beech (Fagus grandifolia):
Beech wood is a tough, strong, hardwood which takes good detail, and polishes to a rich red colour.
Kahikatea (Podocarpus dacrydiodes):
Kahikatea, also known as white pine, holds a sharp edge and can be cut across the grain.
Kanuka (Leptospermum ericoides Kunzea ericoides):
Kanuka is a taller 'brother' of Manuka, and is a dense wood that carves well and polishes to a high lustre.
Kauri (Agathis australis):
Kauri has a good heartwood that carves well, however it is not particularly good on detail, as fine cuts across the grain tend to crumble, even when using sharp tools.
Kowhai (Sophora microphylla):
Kowhai is a very hard wood, that cuts cleanly and take good detail. Care needs to be taken when drying, as it can crack badly.
Maire (Syzygium maire):
The black variety of Maire is dense, and carves extremely well. Maire has a distinctive leather smell.
Matai (Prumnopitys taxifolia):
Matai is a light yellow, close-grained timber, that has a hardness that rewards the carver with crisp cuts. It is an ideal wood for end-grain wood engraving.
Puriri (Vitex Lucens):
Puriri is a dense, heavy wood, with a distinctive leather smell. It polishes like silk, carves well, and takes fine detail. Before cutting it is a good idea to check worm holes with a length of thin wire to determine the direction and extent of the hole.
Rata (Metrosideros fulgens):
Rata is a very hard to get hold of. It is best to work it while it is still green as it dries hard. Rata has an entagled grain, which is a brilliant reddish-brown colour, and is the second-hardest wood in the world.
Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum):
Rimu has a resinous, strong, textured grain, and makes a Good carving wood.
Tanekaha (Phyllocladus trichomanoides):
Tanekaha, also known as 'celery pine', is a softwood, that carves well, and has orange-brown heartwood. Tanekaha will take a fine finish.
Tawa (Beilshmiedia tawa):
Tawa carves well and holds a good finish, however it is not suitable for exterior work. It is white to pale brown in colour.
Totara (Podocarpus totara):
Totara is a soft wood, that carves beautifully, however the oil in the wood reacts with lacquers and some oils. Totara is reddish-brown in colour. Freshly felled totara is best for carving, however seasoned totara should not be refused.
