After receiving my first pocket knife at age eight, I wasted no time in launching my career as a sculptor. How hard could it be, I thought, as I gathered 2×4 scrap-ends from behind the garage. To warm up before producing my masterpiece, which I figured would be done by supper, I set about to carve a fish.
I had just graduated from Dad’s rigorous Sharp Object Safety Course (“Always cut away from yourself. OK, have fun.”), and was careful with the blade. However, I soon learned that knotty, kiln-dried softwood lumber was anything but soft, and my hand soon blistered and bled. [Read more…] about Featured Tree Species: Basswood
