[bcarvings]

Hi,
I was wondering if there is a book out there thats shows you how to use a knife to make veiner cuts, and such. Like a book that shows special ways on how to hold it to make cuts like that.

Also I think I'm going to start over on my confederate soldier because I trying carving a button on the hat with a knife, but it's cheap southern basswood, and a huge chunk of wood came off the hat. I'll be ordering some northern basswood tommorow. Thanks again

[big_Wayne_P]

Repair it
you can use Wood filler and repair it

Can also order a little better wood filler from some of the carving tool suppliers

I have not seen a book out there that tells how to use a knife like that

That will probably take a good deal of time and practice to get to where you can do that

[Oops_Ouch]

This is not an area of great expertise for me and I may be incorrect; if I am please forgive and correct me.

A veiner makes a U shaped cut which could not easily be made with a knife due to the curved bottom of the cut. A V shaped cut, such as you would make with a V-tool could be approached by making two slanted cuts which meet at the bottom. This is a technique which used in free-form chip carving.

Perhaps doing an internet search on chip carving techniques would provide help. Otherwise, any good book on chip carving such as Wayne Barton's might provide the information.

Jim

[Mitchell]

You really learn by practice. Take each tool and a scrap piece of wood....and then have at it. Try to carve a nose or anything, but use only one tool. Don't worry about making it "correct". Just go through the motions. In time, you will learn the limitations of each. This will allow you to LEARN what the tool will do and how to use it. You may actually develop a technique that no one else uses.

Another good way is to watch an experienced carver - in comparison to trying to pick it up in a book. I understand that may be hard for you as there may not be one available nearby. By the way, I don't know of any book that will actually show you what tool to use to make a specific cut. It's really an individual preference.

[Clifford_Parker]

My first 10 or so woodspirits were done completely with knives. I was a whittler for years and knives were the tools I had on hand. Even now, I use knives for +90% of my work despite the fact that I have a box full of gouges and chisels.Like the others have said, get some wood and experiment. Make different types of cuts, try making hair, carve noses, eyes, mouths, etc. on a 1X1 0r 2X2 as a "practice stick" or just grab a chunk of wood and see how much of a carving you can do with only your knife.

[Nancy_G]

Ditto on what has already been said.
And if you were trying to carve something as small as a button on a hat and a "huge chunk of wood came off", maybe, just maybe you shouldn't blame the wood. Maybe your knife needs stropping. Maybe you were trying to remove too much wood with one cut.

I doubt if any books can tell you how to hold a veiner or a gouge or a knife. You'll learn that for yourself by practice. Most carvers hold their tools in different ways - it depends on the size of their hands, the shape of the tool handles, their style of carving, yada yada.

Just keep trying - that's most of the fun.

[mikeg]

If you don't want to repair it, change it into something else and use it as an opportunity for more practice. I recently tried to carve a small soldier. The helmet came out looking more like a rain slicker hat so I made him into a sailor in rain gear.

mikeg

[Sam]

I agree with all previous posts about experimenting with all your tools - that's how you learn what they can do. I don't think I ever saw a book that discussed what you are asking. However, if I understand what you are asking - using a knife to make a veiner type cut - I would say that first you need a narrow width blade on your knife - my preference for this type of cut is that the blade be narrow, rather long, and the tip be a little up-swept. Now, using the curved part of the blade to the tip, I push the edge into the wood and then drop my wrist causing the knife to quickly curve back out of the wood(a hand rolling type motion). If the blade is sharp, it will cut its way out leaving a smooth veiner type cut. I use this quite often for various things, one being making portions of hair. Hope this helps.

[Callynne]

What Sam just talked about is in line with what I was going to say. When I started carving I tried using one knife for everything. What I found as I got a little better and was going for more detail...a small, detail knife works wonders! The blade is so much smaller and thinner and I can just control what I'm doing so much better, literally shaving off the thinnest slices of wood imaginable. Something that I couldn't do with my big knife.

Also, next time this happens (if you don't still have the large piece that came off) try gluing the piece back into place. If you use a good glue, like Titebond II, it will literally be stronger where you glued it than the surrounding wood. If you are going to paint the piece, once sanded a little, it won't even be noticable. Good luck! Callynne

[bcarvings]

Hi,
Thanks for all the advice. I guess I'll stick with my knife and try an practice making veiner cuts on scrap wood. And mabye later I'll get a detail knife.

Also I made many more mistakes besides the button on my soldier, so I'm definately going to start over on it. And the big peice of wood that came of the hat has been long gone in the vacuum. Also my knife is very sharp so it's definatly the basswood.

Ok, thanks again!