Wyoming GoldSculpting, Casting, Moldmaking & More!

what kind of wood should a beginner carver use?

I am a beginner carver and I am buying a carving kit. What kind of wood would it be best to start out with, domestic or exotic?

Starting out in carving can be rather difficult with the choices. I strongly recommend that you don’t limit yourself to any kind of wood simply because its soft, hard, difficult, easy or any such label. More important then that is, that the wood you use is dry. I am talking more dry then firewood. Many carvers have slightly mixed opinions about this but I am sure most would agree that dry is best. If you must have the name of a wood I am partial to pine.

I think more important then the choice of wood is the choice of tools. I won’t recommend to you any carving tools or whittling knives because everyone has their own preferences. instead, I want to point you to the vice. The vice will save you from overcutting your wood and will also move your fingers much further away from the incredibly sharp tools you will be using. It will also allow you to use tapping techniques with a mallet. I own more then one vice and my favorite is the pipe vice shown in the following picture:

http://www.rsmetali.hr/cms/images/clanci_pictures/216.jpg

I also own two normal vices similar to this one:

http://birdhouse.org/blog/images/new_vice.jpg

My last bit of advice is to keep a first aid kit handy. I have been carving for two years and I still cut myself up good. Just a few weeks ago I cut my thumb so bad it left a nice scar.

I hope you enjoy carving as much as I do,
Silence

Gear review – Thermarest chair kit

The Beginner’s Handbook of Woodcarving: With Project Patterns for Line Carving, Relief Carving, Carving in the Round, and Bird Carving $6.45 In this wonderful resource for both novice and veteran carvers, two masters of the craft present detailed instructions and illustrations on how to confidently carve animals, flowers, figures, and more. The authors also include handy tips on tools, techniques, painting, finishing, and even how to exhibit finished pieces. “An excellent book for all carvers.” — The Mallet….

Pyrography Workbook: A Complete Guide to the Art of Woodburning $12.20 Woodworkers interested in woodburning will build their skill level through these three step-by-step projects for beginner, intermediate, and advanced burners. They will learn how to prepare wood surfaces before burning, how to transfer a design or pattern, and how to select materials for burning, coloring, and finishing a project. Methods for burning onto wood, leather, paper, bark, and antlers ar…

Canoe Paddles: A Complete Guide to Making Your Own $15.86 Canoe Paddles: Making Your Own…