Few Problems

[Jos123]

I'm a teenager(16 years old) trying to get interested in something instead of wasting my time inside with my eyes glued to a television(probably the worst invention in the world.Consumes so much time.).So I'm interested in whittling,not big time carving like buying basswood and creating "sculptures" but instead,starting with sticks/twigs.I picked up The Little book of Whittling at the local bookstore. I think this book is popular here.It's a really nice book but I'm confused on a few topics.


1.Sharpening.I don't have the slightest clue on how to sharpen.I have read around here and i see I'm not the only one.I have 2 or 3 pocket knives that are all dull.It sucks to have dull tools....And i have read that its dangerous to sharpen with a dull knife and also frustrating.I don't want to spend more money on sharpening stones because I've bought like 2 or 3 of them now hoping the problem was the stone and not my technique.But I found out that I was wrong.I have done my research.Trust me,I have googled and read soo many guides and what not and watched plenty of videos but to no avail.I'm still a failure.Hopefully someone can give me the slightest advice of what many beginners do wrong in this skill of sharpening.

2.Wood.I know so little about wood.Chris Lubkemann has some nice pictures of the wood he uses in his book which is full of pictures but all the wood in my area seems to be nothing like the kind he uses.Its like he gets his shipped to him from like Mongolia or something.My area is occupied with a lot of trees mostly pine(i think).I don't know how i can go about whittling if I don't know which wood to choose.Maybe someone can give me an answer with this.


Sorry for the long post.Its the summer time and I'm tired of wasting my time.I love the outdoors and I'm really interested in this hobby.I do enjoy working with my hands even though I am very inexperienced. I'd love to get started with Whittling and in the future move onto more difficult projects.A response would be great.But if there is no response,I don't mind.This post is probably pretty dumb to you advanced carvers out there.

Thanks everyone,and have a blessed day.

[gtech]

Welcome to the site.

First, congrats on your decision to do something interesting instead of just doing nothing.

Now, about the stones to sharpen your knives, you must realize that they are used mostly to shape the blades, and that you then have to finish them with some kind of finer abrasive, normally compound on leather.

With the stones, you make big teeth on the blade, and by going to a finer abrasive, you make the teeth finer and finer.

Normally, all you need to do then to keep the knife sharp is to use the compound on the leather. No need to go back to the stones unless you hit something hard with your knife.

I hope I made it easy to understand. I tried not to be too technical.

Give us news and then we'll talk about what to carve...

Gilles

[Jos123]

Originally Posted by gtech

Welcome to the site.

First, congrats on your decision to do something interesting instead of just doing nothing.

Now, about the stones to sharpen your knives, you must realize that they are used mostly to shape the blades, and that you then have to finish them with some kind of finer abrasive, normally compound on leather.

With the stones, you make big teeth on the blade, and by going to a finer abrasive, you make the teeth finer and finer.

Normally, all you need to do then to keep the knife sharp is to use the compound on the leather. No need to go back to the stones unless you hit something hard with your knife.

I hope I made it easy to understand. I tried not to be too technical.

Give us news and then we'll talk about what to carve...

Gilles

I've read that even when trying to sharpen against a coarse stone then afterwards you should feel it is a bit semi sharp.My knives began to get more dull as i attempted to sharpen.Therefore i must be doing something wrong in the sharpening process. And yes I've "heard" of stropping but have no compound.I was told that it isn't necessarily needed.And you're saying I need a finer "abrasive" or stone?

Please excuse my ignorance.I am simply a beggar after knowledge

[vllsr]

You picked a good thing to get into. I'm new to carving too. See if there are some carving clubs in your area, carving people are really a great group to be around. If you can get your hands on a piece of bass wood check out videos that Gene Messer has done. You can find a bunch of his stuff here or on Youtube. I started with the 5 Min. Wizard. Tried on my own for a few with poor results. Once I found Gene's video I had a big improvement. Also check out CARVERSWOODSHOP on Youtube. Arleen is very good and has some super projects.
Have fun!
Vito

[aulddiy]

First congratulations on discovering the TV viewing is an optional occupation!

Sharpening is difficult for anyone to learn. Keep at it, use the information you've gleaned and with time it will improve. Not too much pressure on the knive as you sharpen or hone, let the stone or the leather do the work.

Identifying wood, get a cheap handbook , or borrow one from the libary. There is also a site for id ing on the web. Google it.
It all takes time but at your age is on your side.
I'm a 70 year old apprentice and keep asking questions on this site. I'd suggest you do the same.
rgds
John

[Jos123]

Originally Posted by aulddiy

First congratulations on discovering the TV viewing is an optional occupation!

Sharpening is difficult for anyone to learn. Keep at it, use the information you've gleaned and with time it will improve. Not too much pressure on the knive as you sharpen or hone, let the stone or the leather do the work.

Identifying wood, get a cheap handbook , or borrow one from the libary. There is also a site for id ing on the web. Google it.
It all takes time but at your age is on your side.
I'm a 70 year old apprentice and keep asking questions on this site. I'd suggest you do the same.
rgds
John

Thank you very much for the encouragement.I think that's what i needed most of all. . I will continue to do my research

[gtech]

No wood carver goes without stropping his knives before a carving session.

You can check this video for more info

Woodcarving Illustrated - How To Magazine for Carvers - Sharpening a Carving Knife

And there are more videos available on Youtube.

Keeping a knife sharp is as hard to learn as the wood carving itself for many people. But using a sharp knife is also the secret to good wood carving.

Gilles

[Jos123]

Originally Posted by gtech

No wood carver goes without stropping his knives before a carving session.

You can check this video for more info

Woodcarving Illustrated - How To Magazine for Carvers - Sharpening a Carving Knife

And there are more videos available on Youtube.

Keeping a knife sharp is as hard to learn as the wood carving itself for many people. But using a sharp knife is also the secret to good wood carving.

Gilles

He makes it look so easy.But it isn't that simple.That's exactly how I "attempt" to sharpen my knife on the cheap stone i have,but i get no results.Only difference is that i don't have a strop.

[Mitchell]

Actually it is easy once you pay attention and practice a bit.

If you don't have a strop, you will not get your knife sharp - that's why in just about EVERY sharpening recommendation, you see that one item listed. You can 'grind' your knife with about anything - I suggest sandpaper instead of a stone - but it will need to be buffed or honed somehow. I say buffed as if you don't use a strop, you can use a buffing wheel (the reason that I say "just about" above.

[Ron T]

Hi Jos,

Don't give up. I've been carving for eight years and making knives for six and I still have trouble getting them consistently sharp. I Googled "scary sharp" and use sandpaper to sharpen my knives.

Also, if you give us a general idea of where you are, someone will tell you what kind of wood is available to you. Also, something that just came to mind, what kind of pocket knives are you using? Sometimes, the steel won't let you sharpen it easily.