6 replies to this topic

[Greg Luckett]

My wife, Edith, and I have been taking wood carving classes. We both enjoy the work. We just got our first set of carving tools, having used the instructors up to now. We decided if we were going to get tools, they had to be the best we could get, or not get any. The PFEIL chisels are very, very good.  Cost from Woodcraft was in the $250 range. I need to get busy this weekend fabricating a couple of mallets on the lathe too.

Attached Files

•  PFEIL starter carving kit.jpg   12.82K   45 downloads

[Greg Luckett]

We did these carvings the first night, in about 1 hour. Edith did the dolphin while I did the bear. Neither of us had carved before.

We are currently working on more complicated ones, but no pics yet.

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•  Edith's dolphin carving.jpg   153.15K   59 downloads
•  Greg's bear carving.jpg   134.93K   57 downloads

[Frank Hagan]

Wow, I'm impressed!  Judging by my past attempts at anything artistic, my carving would look more like it came out of the backside of that bear.

Are you finding it relaxing to do? 

[Greg Luckett]

Wow, I'm impressed!  Judging by my past attempts at anything artistic, my carving would look more like it came out of the backside of that bear.
Are you finding it relaxing to do? 

Our teacher is a master carver, with years of experience selling his creations. He started carving back in the 70s and has had training by German master carvers, as well as some real experts here in the US.  Some of his teachers are also authors of carving books. This is why I am doing as well as I am. My wife has artistic talent among her many attributes. She is finding the carving to be relaxing. I enjoy it but relaxing is not a description for me.  It is just our teacher and the two of us in this class which allows for a lot of one on one tutelage.

Frank, I bet you would do as well as I am or better, with the right teacher.

[Hirilonde]

One of my carving mentors told me carving was easy.  All you have to do is remove all of the wood that does not look like what you want to end up with.

Have fun Greg, that's what it is all about.  Carving is like music, very few people can ever hope to make any money at it, no matter how good they are.

[Bikermouse]

So, like most artistic endeavours, if you did it for the money, then you wouldn't do it...

With apologies to all of our professionals here, for me that's also the philosophy I have towards woodworking, boat building, et cetera.

[Greg Luckett]

Last nights lesson was how to sharpen the chisels, parting tools, gouges, and knives. It was a pretty good lesson utilizing different methods and tools. It is always good to see how a well a sharp tool cuts.