If you’re experienced with woodworking, you know that beginners do well with softer woods like basswood, but as you go forward, hardwood may make a better choice for your woodworking needs. Hardwood is denser than softwood, giving you a more durable experience.
Hardwood is predominantly found in furniture and similar large items of everyday use, as it can last for a longer time. In contrast, softwood is more common in ornaments and small utensils that don’t go through too much wear and tear.
Therefore, people who work on bigger projects, like tables, shelves, or chairs, tend to work with hardwood. If you want to learn more about the differences between the two, check out this article on hardwood versus softwood.
So, if you know your way around hardwood and have the necessary equipment required to work with it, this article is for you. In this review, we go over the 6 best hardwood options available on the market right now, so that you can get the best hardwood according to your individual preferences.
1. Sustainable Things Solid Hardwood Blocks, 5¼ Inches
This set of hardwood blocks from Sustainable Things comes in a pack of 6 blocks of eco-friendly hardwood. This means that any waste and shavings are easily biodegradable, and will not cause harm to the environment.
These blocks are great options for crafts and woodworking projects, and the edges are smooth to ensure that you don’t injure yourself while working with them.
Product Specifications
- Item Weight — 8 ounces
- Item dimensions — 5.25 x 2 x 2 inches
- Number of items — 6
- Material — Hardwood
- Color — Light Brown
Pros
- The blocks in this pack are smooth around the edges, ensuring that you don’t injure yourself.
- The blocks can easily be used to create ornaments and similar wooden items.
- There are 6 blocks included in the package, so you’ll have plenty of wood to work with.
Cons
- The blocks are not very large in size, so if you’re looking for blocks to make larger workpieces with, these might not be the best fit for you.
- If you don’t have the right equipment, you might not be able to get the best results from these blocks.
2. Sustainable Things Solid Hardwood Blocks, 10¾ Inches
Another addition by Sustainable Things, these hardwood blocks measure at 10¾ inches, and come in a pack of 3. Like the previous option, these blocks are also eco friendly, and their waste or discarded material is easily biodegradable, causing no harm to the environment.
These blocks are quite long in size, so if you want to make larger pieces, this wood can be a great option for you. The edges are also smooth and sanded down to give you a more safe and sophisticated experience.
Product Specifications
- Item Weight — 8 ounces
- Item dimensions — 10.75 x 2 x 2 inches
- Number of items — 3
- Material — Hardwood
- Color — Light Brown
Pros
- The smooth edges of the blocks ensure that no injuries or splinters.
- The blocks are quite long, and are excellent for making long pieces or similar items for everyday use.
- The wood is eco friendly and easily biodegradable, doing no harm to the environment.
Cons
- You can’t carve this wood with just a whittling knife, so you may need better equipment.
- This set only includes 3 blocks of wood.
3. Woodpeckers 24 Hardwood Birch Cubes
This set of wooden blocks from Woodpeckers comes in a set of 24 blocks made from birch. The interesting thing about these blocks is that they’re perfect cubes, so not only can they be used for carving into small workpieces, but they can also be used as painted blocks for puzzles and other craft projects.
The surface of the blocks is sanded to give them smooth edges. Aside from woodworking, these blocks can easily be used for educational learning activities as well. As they are all of the same sizes, they can be painted and glued together for a productive craft session.
Product Specifications
- Item Weight — 4.11 pounds
- Item dimensions — 2 x 2 x 2 inches
- Number of items — 24
- Material — Birch
- Color — Light Brown
Pros
- The set comes with 24 blocks, giving you a large number of options for carving.
- If you have a child at home, these blocks are sanded neatly and are completely safe for playing with.
- The durable hardwood can be painted, glued, and used for other recreational or educational activities.
Cons
- The blocks are quite small in size, so they can’t realistically be used for carving anything other than small items.
- The blocks might not be exactly the same size, so if you’re using them for carving multiple items of the same design, you might run into some problems with sizing.
4. Earlywood Exotic Wood Pen Blanks, 12 Pack
If you’re looking for a set that gives you a wide assortment of wood types, look no further. This pack of 12 blocks from Earlywood comes with 3 blocks each of Bloodwood, Mexican Ebony, Jatoba, and Hard Maple. The blocks are guaranteed crack-free and come with tight edges and clean cuts.
If you own a pen press and a lathe, these blocks would make great additions to your woodworking project due to their variety. The blocks are also decently-sized and can be used for various purposes.
Product Specifications
- Item Weight — 1.14 pounds
- Item dimensions — 5 x 0.75 x 0.75 inches
- Number of items — 12
- Material — Bloodwood, Mexican Ebony, Jatoba, Hard Maple
- Color — Light Brown, Dark Brown, Creamy White, and Reddish Brown
Pros
- The blocks come in four different varieties and colors, giving you a wide range of different wood types to work with.
- If you’re looking to make ornamental carvings with these blocks, you can easily mix and match to get beautiful results.
- The blocks will work great on woodworking machines and lathes for the best results.
Cons
- The blocks are not too thick, so they can’t be used for bigger projects like furniture.
- You might need power equipment for the best results.
5. Craftparts Direct 1-Inch Wood Blocks, 100 Pack
The blocks are all smoothly sanded, so you don’t have to worry about getting any splinters. The blocks are small at 1-inch across, and can be used to make intricate, small workpieces and ornaments. The color of the blocks is a natural light brown tone, so you can leave them in their natural state or paint over them for excellent results either way.
Specifications
- Item Weight — 2.35 pounds
- Item dimensions — 1 x 1 x 1 inch
- Number of items — 100
- Material — Hardwood
- Color — Light Brown
Pros
- This set of blocks is perfect for children, as it can help them indulge in recreational and educational activities.
- The set comes with 100 blocks of a 1-inch size, giving you the freedom to carve and paint a lot of intricate workpieces.
- The blocks are extremely safe, as they are sanded properly on all sides, making them easy to handle.
Cons
- If you’re looking for something exclusively to make bigger workpieces out of, these might not be the best fit for you.
- The blocks are very small and could be a choking hazard if not taken care of properly.
6. Sustainable Things Solid Hardwood Blocks, 10 Inches
There are 3 blocks included in every pack to make your experience more varied, and the blocks are all eco friendly in nature and will easily biodegrade, making their carbon footprint lower as well. These blocks are not only great for carving and woodworking projects but can also be used for crafts. Their smooth edges ensure that you can work with them safely.
Product Specifications
- Item Weight — 8 ounces
- Item dimensions — 10.75 x 2 x 2 inches
- Number of items — 3
- Material — Hardwood
- Color — Light Brown
Pros
- The blocks are more than 10 inches long and are one of the longest options on this list. This will help you make wooden tools or instruments out of them.
- The sanded, smooth edges on these blocks make them safe to use and work on without causing any injuries.
- The blocks are light brown in color and made out of hardwood, so they will not only be durable but will also provide a great canvas for painting and staining.
Cons
- If you are not used to working with hardwood, these might not be the best fit for you.
- The blocks are only 2 inches thick and wide, which might not appeal to everyone.
Buyer’s Guide for Hardwood Options
Now that you know the features, pros, and cons of all the blocks on our list, we have put together a quick buyer’s guide so that you can pick the best hardwood for carving according to your own preferences.
- Long Blocks – If you’re looking for long blocks that can be used to make larger pieces or utensils, check out the Sustainable Things Hardwood Blocks or the Sustainable Things 10 Inch Solid Blocks.
- Play blocks – If you’re looking for some small blocks that can be a great learning experience for your kids, as well as the means to make some intricate carvings, check out the Craftparts Direct 1-Inch Wood Blocks, 100 Pack or the Woodpeckers 24 Hardwood Birch Cubes.
- Medium-sized hardwood – If you need your blocks to be somewhere around 5 inches in length, you should check out the Earlywood Exotic Wood Pen Blanks, 12 Pack or the Sustainable Things Solid Hardwood Blocks, 5¼ Inches.
Conclusion
Hardwood carving is a relaxing and productive hobby that allows you to make beautiful workpieces to show for your time spent, but it can be difficult to choose which wood to work with. In this article, we reviewed some of the best hardwood products out there, and we hope that you are now able to find the very best hardwood for carving!
If you’re interested in more product reviews, please feel free to check out our other articles as well. Happy woodworking!