Beginning carving thoughts and suggestions

Chris,

When I started carving I bumped into this website:
http://www.2carve.com/relief.php

They have a couple of good tutorials. They provide a step by step walkthrough to carving. One of the most important things is to resist the temptations to buy a big carving kit/set. You really do not need that many tools when you start. The tutorial at 2carve.com tells you what tools you need for each project as well.

Alin

-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida

I started carving in May 2007. I joined a group that meet once a week.
I received masses of advice and assistance.
I strongly suggest you find a group near you and go along to meet them.
There’s lots of good stuff on the internet, but you cannot beat person to person contact.
Alin’s advice about the tools is good – buy what you need as you develop.

Hi Chris,

Other than get a piece of wood, and some carving tools, (I guess that’s obvious huh), whenever I start a new procedure, I do some research, the amount of which is based on how much interest I have in the subject, or if it’s something I need to know for a client’s project.

The web is a great place to find all the information you could possibly use.

But the real learning comes when the tools are in your hands. I would suggest after spending some time reading, get some wood and start carving, but without trying to produce anything.

Tools will teach you, if you listen. By that I mean try spending a hour here and there just making chips. Carve with a mallet and free hand, as both are techniques needed to do any real carving. (excluding chip carving maybe).

Take a picture of the business end of the carving tools, so when they become dull, you’ll know what they’re supposed to look like when your done sharpening them.

What you learn here will be something that you master, not something that you read.

If you try to carve something prior to having a feel for the tools and the various woods you intend to use, you are likely to be disappointed.

I promise you will learn more, and quicker just by making those chips.

ALSO, ALWAYS CARVE AWAY FROM YOU!!!

It’s hard to drive to the emergency room with a carving tool sticking out of your belly. (the handle keeps hitting the steering wheel when you try to turn)

Have fun;

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Thank you guys- I am very excited to get started and appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

Also, don’t buy cheap tools. They’ll only frustrate you in the long run. Get a good brand like Pfiel or Ashley Isles.

-- Being nice gets you stuff!

You have the advantage that I never had.

The internet has an unlimited amount of info you can learn from.

Like Lee sad, Learn to use your tools, & make sure you know how to sharpen them properly.

I had been carving for quite awhile before I found out I was carving with dull chisels.

The way I discovered it, was I bought A couple of Pfeil chisels, they came already honed,

& that’s when I learned what a sharp chisel was like.

If you know someone who carves, talk to them, for some tips. I learned my carving with no help at all,

except from a few books, & magazine articles.

Woodcarving Illustrated

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I just checked the site that Alin recommended, it looks like an excellent choice.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1