Decoy Carving - What tools do I need?

[xcaddis]

I am interesting in carving decoys and was wondering what tools I absolutely require in order to get started. I realize I will probably want to add additional tools later on. What is the basic set of stuff I would want to have?
Any help here would be appreciated.

Cheers,

XCaddis

[Steve Reed]

Most decoy and bird carvers use power. So, look at a Foredom or Pfingst machines. You can get by with a dremel with a flexible shaft also.

[xcaddis]

Thanks Steve,

I am going to start carving by hand. If I continue on I may transition to power, but want to learn with knives and gouges first.

Cheers,

XCaddis

[Claude]

Probably the most useful gouge for you would be a 1 nch (25mm) #3. You'll also need lots of sandpaper, grits from 80 up to 600. If you're going to carve "smoothies", then that's most of what you need - you can paint the feathers on. If you're going for realistic, then most people use a wood burner to burn in the individual barbs on the feathers. If you're going to use a rotary power tool, you'll need an assortment of burrs and stones. Go search through the posts here Animal and Bird Carving - Woodcarving Illustrated Message Board for good info about bird carving and how to use the various burrs and stones on a bird.

BTW, you don't mention where you are located, but if you look over on the left side of the screen, near the top, and click on Carving Clubs, then select your state in the pulldown, you might find a carving club near enough to drive to. The clubs are great places to meet other carvers. Many will let you try their tools out so you can see what feels good to you. They often have patterns, wood for sale, and will almost all be willing to teach you how to sharpen your tools properly.

Claude

[xcaddis]

Thanks Claude. This is exactly what I am looking for.

I reside in Waterloo, ON and was thinking about joining one of the local clubs. By the looks of it, there are some pretty good carvers around here...

Originally Posted by Claude

Probably the most useful gouge for you would be a 1 nch (25mm) #3. You'll also need lots of sandpaper, grits from 80 up to 600. If you're going to carve "smoothies", then that's most of what you need - you can paint the feathers on. If you're going for realistic, then most people use a wood burner to burn in the individual barbs on the feathers. If you're going to use a rotary power tool, you'll need an assortment of burrs and stones. Go search through the posts here Animal and Bird Carving - Woodcarving Illustrated Message Board for good info about bird carving and how to use the various burrs and stones on a bird.

BTW, you don't mention where you are located, but if you look over on the left side of the screen, near the top, and click on Carving Clubs, then select your state in the pulldown, you might find a carving club near enough to drive to. The clubs are great places to meet other carvers. Many will let you try their tools out so you can see what feels good to you. They often have patterns, wood for sale, and will almost all be willing to teach you how to sharpen your tools properly.

Claude