Chainsaw Carver looking to learn the old fashioned way

[tcb16]

Hi all,

I'm a chainsaw carver, looking to learn hand carving to feed my carving addiction in the winter. I still carve a bit during the cold, but some winter days in NJ just aren't bearable. Any tips, books, tools etc. to help get me started?

I'd be happy to share any chainsaw carving knowledge with anyone as well!

Thanks!

Tim

[Irishman]

Well Tim, I'm at the other end of the spectrum as I would like to get into chainsaw carving. Soon will be making a purchase of a entry level chainsaw with a carving bar, etc.
You'll see from my post that I carve faces in logs. With you being a chainsaw carver, perhaps this would be a good transition. I use pfiel tools and am quite pleased with how they carve. Good luck with your "downsizing" from using a chainsaw. Will no doubt be chatting with you again.
Patrick

[Thor]

Hi Tim,

I started with hand tools, and now carve with the chainsaw and the hand tools. I now find both indispensable.
What kind of traditional carving are you interested in learning? Relief? 3-D?
small? big? realistic? charicatures? You'll find someone to learn just about anything from on this board.
Welcome,
Thor

[tcb16]

Thor,

I'm hoping to learn a bit of everything really. Ideally facial characteristics and other skills I can transfer over to using when I'm carving with the saw, But im pretty open to everything, and looking forward to checking out the board more often. What was your inspiration to start using the chainsaw?


Patrick,

I'm glad to hear your joining the chainsaw carving family. If you need any help with tool selection or brands etc. please let me know I'll be glad to help out with any questions you might have

[tcb16]

Hey Thor,

I just checked out your site thanks to the link on your post. By far the best use I've ever seen for a chicken house! Awesome stuff

[Thor]

Hi Tim,

We have had a gallery in this old chicken house since 1995. It is our studio as well with a few other buildings we've built along the way. I've got plenty of room to carve with the chainsaw and other tools as well.

I have always wanted to carve bigger sculptures, but I'm getting kind of old and doing the mallet and chisel thing for days on end seemed beyond me. The chainsaw really speeds things up and I am tremendously inspired by being able to "watch" the wood just go away right before my eyes. I also love the power and the noise, and the smell....I am a tool junkie.

We're building a house right now behind the gallery and when that is done, and I have finished the relief carvings I'm working on for the house, I've got lots of chainsaw carvings in a sketch book waiting for logs.
I want to do garden benches and free standing sculptures that will add to my sculpture garden. I'm also hoping to put an entry into Angela Polglaze's chainsaw chair challenge this spring. A chair would be fun.
No limits.
Glad to have you join us. The folks who have done great facial features are numerous on this site. From Colin Partridge and his woodspirit charm to Doris and her lifelike portraits to the new pieces by Irishman, and many more. I learn from them all, and get lots of inspiration here.
Thor