I did 9 hours on this missed a pizza dinner for this and we’ll thus happens….I know it’s soft pine but what causes the chipping I was going to do this on a more solid piece either cherry or walnut.
I don’t have your answer, but maybe try some basswood, as it is the traditional wood used for wood carving due to its fine grain texture.
Not really sure what you want, but pine is pretty much garbage wood for anything that isn’t construction.
Just about any hardwood will give a better finish. Cherry seems like it would be fine, but walnut might be a bit splintery depending on the piece.