Beginner Questions

[Caelum Ignis]

Hi, I just started carving about a month ago. My main interest is in carving figurine type things but i am really fasinated by all carving. Im using the x-acto knife carving set and have just really been learning how the knife cuts and what to do to make what cuts. The wood I've been using is bass and pine bought from walmart they came in little bags. the first question i have is that i find when i try to carve tight spaces or make a rounded corner the wood gets hard as a rock and is nearly impossible to carve after that. the next question would be the best way to hold the wood as i am constantly wondering if im about to cut my fingers off. thirdly i was wondering what steps i should take next. thanks in advance for any help you can send my way

[Mottles]

Hi There, and welcome to WCI. The best advice I can give you is to first of all get yourself a carving glove and thumb guard. Check with Rick at www.littleshavers.com Then read the posts and threads in all the forums that pertain to carving which is most of them. You did the right thing by asking for help as there are really helpful folks on this site.
I'm very new to carving myself and have gained so much knowledge and help from these terrific generous carver's and burners.
I don't feel qualified to advise you but I can tell you that I found my carving glove and thumb guard has saved my fingers. A good bench knife is an important part of your carving tools also. I have a Stubi bench knife and there are many others out there to as good.
Kathy

[Caelum Ignis]

what exactally do you mean by a bench knife, I have seen a plethora of carving knives and such on the internet. Is it just like a plain jackknife or is it the standerd carving knife as I do have both

[Mottles]

Take a look at this http://www.littleshavers.com/Beginner.html
A bench knife to me is between a roughout knife and a detail knife. My bench knife is my all around use knife it does almost any carving.
Kathy

[Caelum Ignis]

also if anyone has any patterns that would be good for me to start on that would be really cool

[Phaeton]

Here is a nice guide for an ornament and the tools you have should work fine.

Bill


http://www.littleshavers.com/Ornament.html