Hi trudyginest, This stick is beech, the face was the root end. I carved it about 5 years ago, when I am finished carving, I rub it down with boiled linseed oil, let it dry for A couple of days, than spray the entire stick with 3 or 4 coats of clear polyurethane. Some times, I will add A little stain to the linseed oil, to darken the wood. I like to carve-wild apple, maple, oak, beech. I don't beleave that I ever used soft wood! Well I guess that I rambled on enough. I Thank you for your kind comment. Your friend, matt...
