Can I learn to carve with only one good eye?

[nrscroller]

HI
We have a freelance group in our town that meets late fall til spring once a week that carves and I would like to learn to do it. I am blind in my left eye and I have done scrollsawing for a number of years without a problem but I have a perception problem, any suggestions for starting project? I would like to do simple things like a snowman or something Holiday wise.
Thanks
Bill

[Grimnir]

I'd say try it! My ex has monocular vision so I know what you mean about the perception issue, but to be honest I don't think it'll cause you too many problems. You'll find a way around it if it's something you want to do, maybe turning the carving so you can see the shadows in the cuts would help, something like that.

Don't let this put you off Bill

[Claude]

Bill:
No reason not to start carving - but I'd suggest wearing safety glasses when you do so an errant chip doesn't get you. You have 100% more sight than Ron here: RonDavidson

Take a look through his page and see what a person with no sight can do!

Claude

[Grimnir]

Ah, excellent advice Claude - don't risk your vision Bill!

[Butch_Speer]

Bill,
Go for it. You won't regret it!

[Dan S]

I read an article about a blind carver a while back. I couldn't believe that a person with no vision could do releif carvings of that quality. Heck, I couldn't do it with two eyes! Go for it!

Dan

[Just Carving]

I don't mean to be disrespectful in any way, but if a blind man can carve, I think you should have no trouble. It may be a challenge but if you accomplished scroll sawing, I'm sure if there are any obstacles, you'll find a way to over come them if you choose to do so.

Take a look at Ron Davidson's work--in fact, look at all of his work. I find it truly amazing. Heres a link to his latest project:

Grizzly

He's blind enough to have a seeing eye dog.

So, how about some questions on how to get started in wood carving?

Welcome and best of luck to you!

Bob L

P.S. BTW--I know what it's like to overcome adversity with regard to a disability. I have had a profound hearing loss since I was 5. I wear hearing aids. I just passed my 35th anniversary of being sworn in as a volunteer rescue squad member when I was 16 years old. Since then, I've helped, I've saved, I've led, I've taught. Like I said, if there's an obstacle, it can be overcome--although sometimes It might take some effort.

[minowevie]

HI Bill, I am so inspiered buy your wish to carve. doing scroll saw work myself for years. I just can't emagen how you go about it. we have a blind man in are carver chapter. and has won some ribbons in the fair last year. the news paper in my area, came and , inter viewed him. he started out with knifes. but now is doing the carving with rasps. and needle files. nothing stops him,I freaked out the first time I seen him carve with a knife, but he knows just where that knife is. the funny thing is, he just didn't think he was going fast enough. so that's why he turned to files. riflers, and rasps. he sees more with his hands and figures, then I can with my eyes. just assume for sure. good luck my friend. you can do it. he says he can feel the grain, and I ask him questions on it myself. I guess he pictures it all in his mind. and knows exsackaly where that knife is, buy the pressure he is getting. Evie

[carver33]

Hello Bill, from another Bill.

Although not completely blind in my right eye, it's pretty close (20/400+), and my left eye is pretty darn bad too (20/200 uncorrected).

I don't have a problem getting carvings properly proportioned and I like to carve without my glasses. The running joke in my carving club is if I've ever cut my nose while carving (the answer is no).

Give it a try, I'm sure that you can do it.

[Blinky Bill]

G'day Bill,
another carver here with just the left eye in use. You will have annoying little problems appear, but they are all possible to find your way around, one thing I've found is (for me) a necessity, and that is to carve only under incandescent lighting or good natural sunlight. Reason being, with little or no depth perception, you need all the shadows you can get, fluorescent lighting just doesn't cut it. Hope this helps, but keep learning and never give up.
John