What used to be referred to as whittling, something done by fathers and grandfathers to pass the time, has evolved into a fullblown pastime. Walk into any book store and it's easy to find an entire section devoted to wood working and wood carving. Carvers can peruse dozens of monthly magazines devoted to the hobby or take a trip to the hardware or hobby store and find scores of tools designed specifically with wood carving in mind. Wood carving is hot!
Wood Carving Tools and Wood Selection
Get rid of any images of using a pen knife to tediously craft a toy or sculpture. Today's wood carving tools consist of specialized chisels, hobby knives, and power tools such as scroll saws, dremels, and table saws. In addition, wood carving patterns can be purchased and used as a template to create intricate and breathtaking works of arts.
It's not necessary to have all of these tools to begin wood carving. Start with a simple pattern and practice with a basic set of wood sculpting knives on a soft wood such as bass or balsa wood. After gaining a feel for the tools how they handle on the different species of woods available, move on to the next tool or saw and practice as much as possible.
Wood varieties are plentiful and many wood carvers often combine several different types of wood in order to create a unique project. This practice is especially common with wood inlay where different colors and textures of wood are employed. Beginners to wood carving would do best to begin practice with basswood or balsa wood, and then move on to harder woods after learning the best tools and techniques for wood carving.
Wood Carving Tips
The best tip for beginners, aside from selecting woods that are easy to work with, would be to avoid using a heavy hand when chiseling or carving. Don't force the tool into the wood as it could cause it to split. Instead, make small frequent cuts, allowing the image to be reveal itself. Practice how to carve with the grain and not against it.
Another tip for beginning wood carvers is to know when to stop carving. Many a beautiful piece has been ruined by that “one last cut” that was meant to perfect it. Sometimes less is more, and once you've removed a piece of wood from the project, it can't be replaced. Patience and a steady hand is key in wood carving.
For more wood carving or wood burning tips, read Learn How to Carve in Low Relief or Pryrography Art. Further resources can also be found at Carver's Companion, Wood Carving Illustrated, or the local library.
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