[MR] Need wood carving recommendations

[David Chessler]

------ Original Message ------
Received: Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:19:56 PM EST
From: Kihe Blackeagle <kihebard at hotmail.com>
To: <ladyrhi at gmail.com>, <atlantia at atlantia.sca.org>
Subject: Re: [MR] Need wood carving recommendations

> 
> The common wisdom I can pass along is to start with a sharp blade, learn to
keep your blade sharp, and only work with a dull edge for very specific
effects AFTER you learn the first two.  Special shapes of blade or methods of
holding / using can come later.  As you DO work beyond the initial pieces, you
should investigate the use of gouges and other tools including the spoke-shave
and drawknife.  Rasps and files and drills round out the primary durable
carving tools.  Learning good technique with abrasives (sandpaper, steel wool,
and the like) should finish out the essential techniques.
>  
> As far as woods, many if not most modern carvers start with basswood when
they can get it, but ideally a woodcarver should be able to work with any wood
that falls into their grasp . . . Pine or spruce or other softwoods to begin;
fruitwoods, oak, maple, and nutwoods or other hardwoods for safety in toys
(perhaps counter-intuitive, but the softer woods tend to splinter dangerously
when gnawed upon by small teeth in ways that hardwoods resist...at least for a
while).
>  
> My opinions & current beliefs, anyway. Adieu, Amra / ttfn - Mike / Pax ...
Kihe  Mike C. Baker / Kihe Blackeagle Opinions? I'm FULL of 'em SCA: al-Sayyid
Amr ibn Majid al-Bakri al-Amra, F.O.B, OSCA "Other": Reverend Kihe Blackeagle
PULC (the DreamSinger Bard) alt. e-mail: KiheBard at hotmail.com Buy my
writings!: http://www.lulu.com/WizardsDen
http://www.livejournal.com/users/kihebard/ > Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 16:37:42
-0500> From: ladyrhi at gmail.com> To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org> Subject: [MR]
Need wood carving recommendations> > Good afternoon!> > I'm hoping there's
someone out there who can point me to a few things> relating to wood carving.
I'm an utter and complete novice but I want to> learn. I want to carve
three-dimensional items (such as dogs, horses, etc.> as medieval children's
toys and small implements (for display, not for> children to actually play
with)....> > so I am in need of recommendations for carving tools and what
type of wood> would be best suited for such an endeavor (as well as any clue
where I might> find such wood).> > > > -- > Gina MacNeill> AKA Lady Rhiannon
of Berra, CP> List Moderator of the Atlantianweavers Yahoogroup> > Under no
circumstances will I ever purchase anything offered to me> as the result of an
unsolicited e-mail message. Nor will I forward> chain letters, petitions, mass
mailings, or virus warnings to large> numbers of others. This is my
contribution to the survival of the> online community.> 


Carve away from you until you get control. Also consider getting a
cut-resistant glove for the left (non-carving) hand.

Woodcarvers use a lot of chisels and gouges, not just a knife. If you can't
find someone to work with, consider taking a course.