Advice or suggestions for getting started???

[Waterboy]

Hello everyone, I am new to this site and am hoping someone will be able to point me in the right direction by suggesting the best books or videos to learn how to carve animals. I don't know much about wood, different cuts or tools. I really want to learn how to carve smaller sized carousel type animals. I'm sure I have a very long way to go to get to where I want to be, but am anxious to start.

I appreciate any advice or suggestions someone might give.

Thank you.

[Dicky]

In my own experience I started with shallow relief carvings, moved to deep relief and then to in the round. One of the best sources for simple patterns was kids coloring books. This may get me in trouble but I started with an Xacto knife and now make my own.

[Michael1301]

i've been using an xacto (don't have anything else yet) and have heard from many people that it is not good except for occasional details.

but thanks for the tip on kids colouring books, thats a great idea for patterns

[bigEd_H]

Hi Waterboy, welcome to the forum and the art/hobby of woodcarving. A good place to start is to get a good starter knife. That could be something as cheap as a Stanley #199 or similar, to a $30+ woodcarving knife. You'll probably want some chisels, gouges and parting/v-tools. Rick Ferry at Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply has a couple good kits, one is the beginners kit and the other is the starter kit.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Take a look at the tutorial section, and youtube for Arleen (carverswoodshop) and Gene Messer, here is a link to Gene's videos. Woodcarving Illustrated - Gene Messer Videos.

Dave

[chuckbolton]

there are several carousel animal carvers out there-- in the kansas city area - jerry rinehart has carved professionally ( only carousel animals) for a long time-- im sure that there is one or more books out there carving carousel animals-- check with the woodcraft shop in bettendorf iowa. tho if u have a shop locally,,check with them-- look in WCI for a list of clubs in your area-- if u will post what area of the country you are in. im sure that some local carvers can give you some guidance.

[Dan S]

There is a book titled "Carving Caricature Animals" that is most likely out of print. I found a copy on Amazon for about three dollars. It had some really good beginners projects and used only minimal tools. Order that while you are waiting for your tools to come in.

Good luck,
Dan