Replies

1. 
   BG | Nov 17, 2005 03:40pm | #1

   BrentS,
   When this topic came up some time ago Lee was kind enough to provide a picture of a good starter set for wood carving. I think Lee might be on the road this week so I'll attach it...but hopefully he can see your post and respond to any questions.

   
2. 
   mgumaer | Nov 17, 2005 04:46pm | #2

   Brent,

   Two things: Chris Pye has a nice website which I believe may be of some help to you, including a section of recommended tools for beginners, http://www.chrispye-woodcarving.com/.

   The second is that if you are from the US, it is much cheaper to buy Pfeil tools from Canadian sources. One site is http://www.woodcarvingbiz.com/. A second is http://www.woodcarvingsupply.com/.

   Like anything else, tool selection is based on what you want to make. You may want to pick a project and buy the tools you need to execute that project (or at least make sure that whatever group of tools you buy has what you will need for your first anticipated project).

   Finally, and then I'll shut up, Lee Grindinger does participate in Knots (or at least the old Knots). From all of his posts that I've read, it's clear he is light years ahead of at least me and probably most folks around here when it comes to carving knowledge. If he responds to any of your questions/posts, I would take whatever he has to say to heart.

   Good luck.

   Matt

1. 
   BrentS | Nov 17, 2005 07:35pm | #3

   Thanks guys for the responces. I would definately take anything Lee said about carving as gospel.

   Brent

    

3. 
   jazzdogg | Nov 17, 2005 09:17pm | #4

   In addition to what others have already said...

   Lee Grindinger's website is: http://furniturecarver.com/

   I'll second the recommendation of Chris Pye's website; his books are excellent.

   I found Nora Hall's plaster castings made it much easier for me to visualize the topography I was trying to achieve during carving.

   Among the things I find absolutely essential to successful carving are:

   1. The ability to keep all of my carving tools razor sharp - with the correct edge geometry;
   2. The ability to read the wood grain and plan my carving in concert with the grain;
   3. Having the work clamped suitably for safe hand-carving and mallet work;
   4. The ability to carve both right- and left-handed as the wood grain demands;
   5. Fit the carving to the tools at hand instead of slavishly adhering to the curves and contours provided on plans and patterns.

   Edited to add another Canadian source for carving tools:
   http://www.kmstools.com/

   Good luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

   
   

   ---

   Edited 11/17/2005 1:20 pm by jazzdogg

1. 
   BrentS | Nov 18, 2005 01:59am | #5

   Thanks Jazz......alot of good info there.

    

   Brent

4. 
   Badbob | Nov 21, 2005 02:12am | #6

   you might inquire into Nora Hall Carving online. She is a third or fourth generation carver and has both chisel sets and instructional videos. Your local Woodcraft store may have some of these videos for sale (I got mine for $10 each) or for rent. the chisels are good quality also.