> I'm on a second one in basswood (from ebay) and that is a joy.
For instance, I couldn't get the V tool to cut nicely in the
> juniper but no problem in the basswood.

Basswood is the best for carving, exactly because it is easily
cut across the grain.  It was the choice for the Iroquois "False
Face" masks.  Hard to find a wood more suited for carving.

Mike in Sacto