First post

[Popa]

Hello all ~

I've been hanging out around here for a while soaking up knowledge and watching Gene Messer's carving videos (thanks Gene!!) I became interested in carving several years ago and bought a beginner knife, book and donkey blank in Silver Dollar City. I quickly bent the knife edge and tip, became discouraged and put it all away. I've never really lost the desire to learn to carve, but with the bad beginner's experience, I didn't try again until just recently. So, I drug my sack out with the bent knife, donkey and book and told myself I'd finish it no matter what it may look like.

So I started whittlin' away. I joined this site, bought a Flex Cut knife, a Woodcarving Illustrated magazine, read it and watched a LOT of YouTube carving videos, all of which helped me tremendously. I learned carving tips you just wouldn't know otherwise.

I finished the little donkey and although I made mistakes, it is presentable I guess. I gave it to my wife and she took it to work. I now have orders for more because "it's so stinkin cute" - LOL. Don't know if I'll carve any more donkeys right away tho b/c I think it's just too advanced for me right now. I did learn that a roughing knife was probably not the correct knife choice to do the little carving. I also think I might have had some bad wood, or maybe it was because it was so old, don't know. I'm pretty sure it was bass wood, but it seemed to crumble in some spots and was kinda soft in spots. Anyway I got it done. I'd post a photo, but photobucket isn't working for me right now.

The most important lesson I learned w/my first carving...wear a glove. I have three stitches in my off-hand index finger to support that conclusion. OUCH! But it healed well.

The main goal in finishing the little donkey was to determine whether or not I might want to continue the hobby. And I DO! I just love it and I'm already working on a practice wood spirit on a scrap cedar tree limb. Seems to be coming along ok, but I chose too small of a stick to start with, but it's just practice anyway.

The only proper carving knife I have at the moment is the Flex Cut roughing knife and a bunch of pocket knives. I wanted to get your opinion of Flex Cut's jack knife (the 6 blade one). Seems like a pretty practical tool and I'm thinking about getting it instead of individual knives, at least to start out.

Also, what's your opinion of the power strop you can buy to attach to a drill. I don't have a strop and was thinking of getting it.

Thanks for your help.

Don

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Welcome Don, the power strop is good, a hand strop will also work. If I was just starting out I would buy a Denny, Drake, Ralph Long, Lyons or Shipley knife (all around $20.00) and make sure I liked carving before investing over $100.00 on a tool. (Just my opinion). Don't forget a glove!

Dave

[LMiller]

Don,

I put together a power strop and have it in my carving den (a corner in the basement). I only use it when I strop all of my tools -- maybe I am going to a class and want to give them a good stropping before hand. I use the manual strop most often.

I recommend that you take the time to learn to strop manually. You may find yourself at a carving club, in a class, or maybe on a lunch break somewhere without the power strop and need to give your blade a strop. Having the skills to strop without the power is truly a great asset -- especially for those 'on the go' carving opportunities.

The other caution I would give you is to get a variable speed drill for your stropping and throttle back on the speed. This is for you personal safety as well as for your tools.

If you do go forward with power strop, they aren't difficult to make. Let me know if you would like any help in making one of your own.

Good Luck!

LMiller

[Mark Dellinger]

Don,

Both of the guys before me gave you some good advice. I would definietly go with the hand strop. I still use mine everyday. I believe that it is a good practice to carve a little, strop a little.

Safe Carving and God Bless,

Mark

[sashadoc]

Popa, Welcome!!! I noticed that you are having problems with photobucket. You don't need them. If you keep your photos in a folder on your desktop you can access them. When you include an attachment it asks you to "choose". If you click on that you can navigate to your desktop and then the folder containing the photos. Click on the photo and "open". It will be uploaded to your thread. Hope this helps?
Tim
MeFar.JPG

[idigjars]

Hello and welcome to the forum Don. Safe carving. Paul

[Popa]

Thanks y'all. Here is a photo of the little donkey. Lemme know what ya think.

donkey.JPG

Bonus photo...

finger photo.jpg

[idigjars]

I think your donkey is cute. Get the gloves on Popa. Safety first. Paul

[rare yellow zebra]

Hi Don,

Welcome to the forum. Your cute little donkey has a great flow & movement. This is tough to achieve by a seasoned carver, let alone someone just starting out. You may be a natural. Carve on!
Jay

[Popa]

Originally Posted by rare yellow zebra

Hi Don,

Welcome to the forum. Your cute little donkey has a great flow & movement. This is tough to achieve by a seasoned carver, let alone someone just starting out. You may be a natural. Carve on!
Jay

Thank you!