Help needed from Parents & Grandparents

[ve3rin]

Help!!!!!
My grandson has asked me to get him started on carving. Excellent request and I am proud of this request.Smile
My concern as with all parents and grandparents, is that they (the children) have not been accustomed to using sharp knives let alone carving knives. They also have not been able to use power tools to date. 2 grandchildren both between 9 & 10 years old
What a conundrum. What should we grandparents do to satisfy their request. What materials can we use for them to carve on, and with what kind of tools. What kind of pattern do we use for them to follow and where can we, (we that don't know either ) find these patterns and instructions.
Any and all suggestions greatly appreciated.
Thanks to one and all
Gary

[BobD]

I'd start him with soap and a plastic knife. Get him a carving glove and a thumb guard, and let him learn the techniques with the soap first. Then, when you are comfortable with his techniques, give him a square piece of wood and tell him to turn it into a ball...that will get him started.

Bob

[squbrigg]

Congratulations!!! Young folks are a real joy to teach, and will bring you much happiness in their success.

I have three "students" ..... my granddaughter who is six (almost seven) , my apprentice who is 11 and his nine year old brother. I have the nine and six year olds on soap and wooden knives (Grandpa can carve those, they are stronger than the plastic ones and you make them to fit their hands). No risk there and lots of fun and success. Simple things, like a turtle, a heart, a kitty or a duck. Gets them use to shapes and tools.

The apprentice, I have started him on wood and edged tools. Glove(s) and thumb guard and leather apron. Minimize the risk and also begin with simple shapes. An egg is a good exercise to learn tool handling and wood grain. He's graduated from the egg project to carving an owl already. His primary goal is ship models, but carving the simple tasks will prepare him.

At age nine, I suggest sticking with soap or plastecine or art clay. Once they learn how to control the tools they can advance, but I find that at nine they don't have the strength in their hands for good control yet.

Good luck and make it fun.

Bob

[gene-messer]

Gary .. Bob is right on target for using soap for kids .. Google soap carving on the net and it will yake you to some books and info ..

Gene

[TreeWizard]

When they get ready for wood I'd start them with a relief carving.

[BRIAN D]

Gary, I believe you've been given the way to go from Bob. Last year our carving club had a local cub scout troop in. They were about the same ages. Started them out on soap carving, after learning some control graduated them to knives, and wood. With all the feed back from them & their parents & our club members it really worked out to where all were winners.This can be alot of fun and above all help all involved. Best Wishes BRIAN D.

[cseymour]

Hi Gary,
One thought I had was to carve a knife for my nephew to use on soap. I wouldn't think it would be that difficult and it would be kind of fun for you as well.

Just a thought.

Chris

[vacation212]

Ice CreamIvory soap and plastic knives,the ones from Wendys work real good.

[ve3rin]

I would like to thank you all for your suggestions, it is really nice of all of you.
I first asked both grandchildren if they would like to learn how to carve about 6 months ago and one indicated that he would and the other was hesitant.
I asked again about two weeks ago and got the same responce.
Today I ran your suggestions first with one grandson who is keen to try and carve and he also enjoys trying to draw. With these two assets things might work out well.
The suggestion to carve out his working knife was a wonderful idea and he thought that would be "koooool"
He has already gone through my carving knives and picked out the handle that is comfortable in his hand. I will rough cut the handle and start to shape it and he can do the sanding. (got to start some where!..)
I will check with the more experienced carvers in our seniors group to determine what style and size of blade that I should carve on the cutout.
His mom is ready to go out and buy the Ivory soap bars, carving glove, and apron and start downloading simple paterns for him to start on.
I think that when the second grandson sees this he may step up to the plate and hopefully give it a try as well.
Thanks again
Gary

[Keoma]

Hi there! My son wanted to help me very much in the shop. We decided on making a whale.I had made one for his dad, and so he wanted one for himself.
We drew one out and I did the cutting on the band saw. It was a simple pattern. I guess we made a what do you call it...Intarsia? Kind of like cut it out, put it back togethr thing?
I was nervous about hm using power tools, but I had a cordless Dremel that did not go so super fast that he was able to use on a low speed. They are pretty gutless as a matter of fact. Perfect for tiny details, and/or tiny fingers
He sanded each piece and then glued it back. The edges had been rounded and it looked "carved" He was very happy. It was the most fun I had in the shop.
I learned to whittle at The Kate Wolf Fest this past weekend, and the cool thing was my son was with me. I let him use his pocket knife and he whitlled away the day right there next to me. What a joy.
I wish you the best of luck!