Carving Tools to Reduce Stress and Create Carved Treasures
Carving Tips and Tools For the Beginner On Up
It's a work of art . . . Consider the woodcarving tips and wood moisture solutions below.
Hobby carvers and professionals enjoy woodcarving around the world. Start a new hobby that blossoms into a business, sell your crafts or give them away as labors of love. Carving can be a fun stress reliever and a social link when you join a local carving club. "Wood Carving for Beginners" is an easy way to get started. Look for woodcarving and moisture tips below.
A five piece craft carver set for the versatile hobbyist. Set includes 4 blades, quick change handle, sharpening and carving manual, pre-printed carving blanks, and the tool roll for protection and safe transport.
Whittler's 6pc Set by UJ Ramelson is made up of the six most useful palm tools... 4 gouges and 2 v-tools. Individually these tools sell for $9.95 each ... SAVE $20 with this set!!!!! Hand forged and heat treated, high carbon steel.
Carve 9 to10 pieces with this 2 pound bag of choice Northern basswood.
$5.00
Visit the Hobby Book Store for instructional carving books. Go to the Hobby Book Store page by clicking here.
Carving Tips
Work slowly and take your time. This is an art not a production line.
Build a project that is within your level of experience.
Try starting with softer woods like Basswood, Tupelo, or Jelutong.
Try harder woods such as walnut, butternut, cherry, and maple once you are more experienced.
Woods are best when kiln dried.
With or without a pattern... sketch on the wood or place key points.
Draw a center line.
Carve green or wet wood cuts for ease.
Develop your feel for holding and using your knife.
Keep your knife sharp... A dull knife is dangerous.
Try a guard to protect that thumb.
Use your wrist, not your arm or elbow action.
Cut down not across, and go with the grain.
Do small chips.
Take time to relax your hands.
Be careful to avoid finger nail nicks.
Try a non skid rubber mat.
Use a sealant before painting.
Regulating Wood's Moisture
For a more enjoyable carving experience and better finished product, it is best to carve with wood that has a 10% to 12% moisture content. You'll find that drier wood does not carve as clean and may cause breakouts especially when you cut across the grain. Keep a test piece with your project from the same vintage and test it first prior to each carving session.
Due to dry climates or environments dried by air conditioning or heating systems it is best to wrap your newly purchased wood in a plastic sealed bag through the life of your project and store it in an unheated location. Be careful of a damp basement.
Adding moisture back into your wood should be a slow 2 to 3 day process. Suspend the wood (using a small nylon laundry bag or cardboard sling) over a very wet hand towel placed in the bottom of a garbage bag. Seal and hang the barbage bag for 2-3 days, letting the wood absorb the moisture from the towel.
