Gear guide
Best Basswood Carving Blocks: Sizes, Pack Counts and Price per Block
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
Basswood is the standard first wood for whittling, chip carving and relief: its Janka hardness is about 410 lbf, and its fine, even grain holds detail. So choosing between packs of basswood carving blocks is rarely about the wood itself. What differs is the block size, the number of pieces and what the seller states about knots and cracks. Small 1 x 1 x 4 inch whittling blanks suit first knife cuts and small figures, 2 x 2 inch stock gives room for thicker figures, and 3 x 3 inch blocks are for larger carvings. Mixed packs give many small blanks plus a few big ones; single-size packs give identical blocks for repeating one project. None of the seven listings below says kiln dried or gives a moisture level, so judge each pack by its stated sizes and count. This guide compares the packs by what their listings state; nothing here was tested. The price per block shown with each pick follows from the piece count, but a 6 x 3 x 3 inch block holds far more wood than a 4 x 1 x 1 inch blank, so compare like with like.
Compare the picks
| Pick | Wood | Block sizes (in) | Count | Stated free of | Price | Per piece | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 BeaverCraft BW19 basswood blocks, 19 pieces, 2 sizes | Basswood | 0.98 sq and 1.97 sq x 3.93 | 19 (16 small, 3 large) | Cracks, splinters | - | - | Amazon |
 Jyongmer basswood carving blocks, 30 pieces, 4 sizes | Basswood | 2x2x2, 2x2x4, 1x1x4, 1x1x6 | 30 (22 are 1x1x4) | not stated | - | - | Amazon |
 MANCHAP basswood blocks 6 x 2 x 2 in, 10 pack | Basswood | 6x2x2 | 10 | Knots, cracks | - | - | Amazon |
 YIPLED basswood blocks, 7 pieces, 5 sizes to 3x3x10 | Basswood | 1x1x4 to 3x3x10, 5 sizes | 7 | Burrs, cracks | - | - | Amazon |
 YIPLED basswood blocks 4 x 1 x 1 in, 12 pack | Basswood | 4x1x1 | 12 | Burrs | - | - | Amazon |
 PONGJA basswood blocks 6 x 3 x 3 in, 2 pack | Basswood | 6x3x3 | 2 | Cracks, knots, splinters | - | - | Amazon |
 SOKOSEY basswood carving blocks, 7 pieces, 2 sizes | Basswood | 4x1x1, 4x2x2 | 7 (6 small, 1 large) | Burrs | - | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
If you just want one
- Closest match for the jobBeaverCraft BW19 basswood blocks, 19 pieces, 2 sizesListing gives exact sizes: 16 blocks at 0.98 x 0.98 x 3.93 inches and 3 at 1.97 x 1.97 x 3.93 inches.
- Most for the money on paperJyongmer basswood carving blocks, 30 pieces, 4 sizesListing spells out the count of each size: 2 pcs 2 x 2 x 2, 2 pcs 2 x 2 x 4, 22 pcs 1 x 1 x 4 and 4 pcs 1 x 1 x 6 inches.
- Most complete listingYIPLED basswood blocks, 7 pieces, 5 sizes to 3x3x10Five sizes are listed: 2 pcs 1 x 1 x 4, 2 pcs 1 x 1 x 6, 1 pc 2 x 2 x 6, 1 pc 2 x 2 x 4 and 1 pc 3 x 3 x 10 inches.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · BeaverCraft
BeaverCraft BW19 basswood blocks, 19 pieces, 2 sizes
See price on AmazonA 19-piece set: sixteen small blocks at 0.98 x 0.98 x 3.93 inches and three larger ones at 1.97 x 1.97 x 3.93 inches. A mixed starter pack for small figures, with a few thicker blocks for the next step.
What the listing offers
- Listing gives exact sizes: 16 blocks at 0.98 x 0.98 x 3.93 inches and 3 at 1.97 x 1.97 x 3.93 inches.
- Each block is described as sanded and ready for carving, with no cracks, splinters or rough spots.
- Two sizes in one pack, so small figures and thicker pieces come from the same order.
Limits to know
- Only three of the 19 blocks are the larger size, so bigger projects run out quickly.
- No block is longer than about 4 inches, and the listing does not mention knots or kiln drying.
Pick 2 · Jyongmer
Jyongmer basswood carving blocks, 30 pieces, 4 sizes
See price on AmazonThirty blocks in four sizes: 22 at 1 x 1 x 4 inches, 4 at 1 x 1 x 6, 2 at 2 x 2 x 4 and 2 cubes at 2 x 2 x 2. The highest count in this guide, mostly small whittling blanks for practice and small figures.
What the listing offers
- Listing spells out the count of each size: 2 pcs 2 x 2 x 2, 2 pcs 2 x 2 x 4, 22 pcs 1 x 1 x 4 and 4 pcs 1 x 1 x 6 inches.
- Described as natural basswood with a light color and a fine, even grain.
- Blocks are listed as pre-sanded, with clean-cut edges and a smooth unfinished surface.
Limits to know
- 26 of the 30 pieces are 1 inch square, so the high count is mostly small blanks.
- The listing makes no statement about knots or cracks, and the brand is not a known carving name.
Pick 3 · MANCHAP
MANCHAP basswood blocks 6 x 2 x 2 in, 10 pack
See price on AmazonTen identical blocks, each 6 x 2 x 2 inches, listed as natural basswood without knots and cracks. A single-size pack for carvers who want the same larger blank again and again.
What the listing offers
- Each block measures 6 x 2 x 2 inch, and the pack holds 10 of them.
- Listing describes the basswood as uniform and smooth, without knots and cracks.
- One size throughout, which suits repeating the same figure or cutting blanks down to length.
Limits to know
- No small blanks in the pack: thin practice pieces have to be cut from the 2 inch stock.
- The listing gives no detail on sanding or drying, and states the pack is for adults over 18.
Pick 4 · YIPLED
YIPLED basswood blocks, 7 pieces, 5 sizes to 3x3x10
See price on AmazonSeven blocks in five sizes: two 1 x 1 x 4, two 1 x 1 x 6, one 2 x 2 x 4, one 2 x 2 x 6 and one 3 x 3 x 10 inch block. A sampler that runs from small whittling blanks to one large block.
What the listing offers
- Five sizes are listed: 2 pcs 1 x 1 x 4, 2 pcs 1 x 1 x 6, 1 pc 2 x 2 x 6, 1 pc 2 x 2 x 4 and 1 pc 3 x 3 x 10 inches.
- Includes a 3 x 3 x 10 inch block, the largest single piece in this guide.
- Described as natural basswood, polished smooth and neatly cut with no burrs or cracks.
Limits to know
- Only one block of each larger size, so a spoiled carving cannot be repeated at that size.
- The listing writes each size with the piece count in front, which takes a moment to decode.
Pick 5 · YIPLED
YIPLED basswood blocks 4 x 1 x 1 in, 12 pack
See price on AmazonTwelve small blanks at 1 x 1 x 4 inches, described as smooth, polished natural basswood. A small pack of whittling blanks for first knife cuts and small figures.
What the listing offers
- The listing states 12 individual pieces of basswood at 1 x 1 x 4 inches.
- Blocks are described as smooth and polished, neatly cut without burrs.
- Listing names learning to whittle as a use and addresses beginners as well as experienced carvers.
Limits to know
- Only one size, and 1 inch square stock limits how thick a figure can be.
- No statement about knots or cracks, and no larger block for a bigger project.
Pick 6 · PONGJA
PONGJA basswood blocks 6 x 3 x 3 in, 2 pack
See price on AmazonTwo large blocks at 6 x 3 x 3 inches, the thickest stock among the single-size packs here. For bigger figures and carvings in the round that 2 inch stock cannot hold.
What the listing offers
- Each block is 6 x 3 x 3 inches, and the listing states two blocks per pack.
- Described as natural basswood that is soft, smooth and free of cracks, knots or splinters.
- Listing says the blocks can be carved, cut, stained and painted.
Limits to know
- Only two blocks, so there is little room for practice pieces or mistakes.
- A 3 inch thick block is a lot of wood to remove by knife alone: not the pack for first practice cuts.
Pick 7 · SOKOSEY
SOKOSEY basswood carving blocks, 7 pieces, 2 sizes
See price on AmazonA small trial pack: six blanks at 4 x 1 x 1 inches and one larger block at 4 x 2 x 2 inches. Enough to find out whether whittling suits you before buying a bigger box.
What the listing offers
- Listing states 6 pieces at 4 x 1 x 1 inches (10 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm) and 1 piece at 4 x 2 x 2 inches (10 x 5 x 5 cm).
- Wood is described as unfinished and free of chemicals and additives.
- Blocks are described as soft, smooth and polished, with burrs removed.
Limits to know
- Only seven pieces, and just one of them is the larger 2 inch block.
- Nothing is stated about knots or cracks, and the brand is not a known carving name.
Read before you buy
- Best Wood for Chip Carving: Species, Board Thickness and BlanksChip carving wood chart: 10 species by Janka hardness, how cleanly each one chips and whether beginners should use it, plus board thickness of 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
- Why Is Whittling So Hard? Six Causes and How to Fix EachWhittling feels hard when the edge is dull, the wood is over about 600 lbf or the cut runs against the grain. Six causes, the sign of each and the fix.
- Whittling vs Wood Carving: What Is the DifferenceWhittling is wood carving with a knife only. A table compares whittling, chip carving, relief carving and carving in the round by tools, wood and workspace.
- Whittling Projects for Beginners, Sorted by Time and Skill12 whittling projects for beginners in the order to try them, with block size, the time a source publishes for each and what each project teaches.
- Should You Soak Wood Before Carving? What Softens Dry WoodSoaking a whole block is not standard: it can split as it dries. A light mist of half rubbing alcohol, half water is the usual fix. Methods compared.
Carving Bench chooses every product independently from what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission from the links above. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.