Where to begin.

[blksmith]

Hi everybody!

I've been reading up on carving for a while and I'm ready to begin, but I'm a little overwhelmed by all of the information I've taken in. I want to get started, but I'm having trouble making the leap from theory to practice.

I was wondering if you all could suggest a couple of ideas for first projects and perhaps what a basic set of tools might be so I can get those forged out.

If this has been asked a thousand times before I apologize and I will try harder to search.

Thanks in advance

Jim

[Dave Richardson]

I think Gene Messer's videos ( here and on you tube) is a great place to start. He has alot of cool projects and all you need is a knife as far as tools go. The best all around knife for me is the Stanley 199 utility knife. I think after the Kevlar carving glove ( never carve without one ) the important steps are learning to use the different tools and learning shapes and proportions.
Get ahold of a good piece of basswood, pick one of Genes projects and keep making them untill you are satisfied with the results.
Happy carving and keep us posted.
Dave

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Check out my Blog too. Lots of projects, free videos and a couple beginner patterns too.

[carlt]

There is a lot of info mentioned in this forum, all of very good. Sometimes its like drinking from a fire hydrant, too much at one time. Gene Messer's videos are very good. Also, Harley Refsal has a very good book on "flat plane" carving, along with some good patterns. Whatever knife you use or have, learn how to sharpen. I went through a lot of frustration, finding a sharp knife, still learning. You can eat an elephant a bite at a time.

Happy Carving,

Carl

[papasar]

Jim,
I start new carvers with a 6 in piece of basswood, sharp knife, glove and strop. The first project is to carve a 2 in long egg in the end of the 6 in stick. Its good practice because you learn grain direction and carving in end grain. The longer stick makes it safer to hold until they get familiar with the knife. A snowman out of 3/4 in stock is also a good beginner project. There are scads of beginner kits with cutouts available through catalogs.

Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers
Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply
woodcraft shop

Good wood and a good sharp knife will make for enjoyable carving and avoid beginners frustration. IMHO.
Happy carving.
Bill K.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I agree with Bill K., start with something basic, one of my first carvings was the snowman that Bill mentioned. As for a good starter kit Beginner's Carving Set at Little Shavers. Lots of good videos on youtube by Gene Messer and Arleen (carverswoodshop), also Lynn D. as posted above #3. Best of luck and have fun!

Dave

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Here are a couple links.
YouTube - Carving The Full Flat Plane Figure Out Of A Block Of Wood Part 1
YouTube - AMERICAN EAGLE #1

Dave

[blksmith]

Thanks for the info folks! A lot of this is kind of counterintuitive for me since I'm used to retaining most of the stock when forging.

I was up this morning around 5am and I re-read my question and I thought "that is a very broad question" and almost asked the mods to remove it.

I have enough to keep me busy.

Thanks again!

Jim

[carverswoodshop]

welcome to the world of woodcarving, i going to give a link how to control your knife for the first time woodcarvers,
it really important to learn the basic,, i hope you find this helpful,, enjoy and remember take your time,,
YouTube - HOW TO CONTROL YOUR KNIFE, FIRST TIME WOODCARVERS
the wooden shoe is for the beginner,, the acorn and the pumpkin are good projects for the beginner,, enjoy,,, arleen



carverswoodshop

YouTube - carverswoodshop's Channel
carverswoodshop , patterns, cutouts and dvds for wood carvings for sale

[brent]

Don't let the info overwhelm you. I read everything I could find on carving when I first got interested in it. Just remember, just do what you can and then, finish what you start. One thing at a time.