Butternut is another good wood for beginner wood carving. It is browner than both basswood or aspen, so for those who don’t want to work in white, it can be a good option. This wood is also sometimes referred to as white walnut, because it is still much paler than the deep hue of black walnut.early every wood on earth can be used for carving, which gives the craft a huge abundance to choose from, and at times that can be overwhelming. A few types are especially popular, however, particularly among beginners.