Howdy - need tool repair and advice

[cburnett]

I got some carvin' tools for Christmas, 5/16 gouge - 9/64 gouge - 3/8 chisel - 9/64 bt V - 3/8 skew - and a 3/8 bt. chisel. My chisel and V tool have already chipped because I didn't know what kinda wood to use so I was using real hard wood. Anyway, I was wanderin' if ya'll knew of a cheap place I might could get them fixed? I also noticed in the video's I watched Gene Messer do he used a knife and I wanted to know if I would need to by a knife also. I was lookin' at some knives here Lee Ferguson Handcrafted Knives :: Custom designed by Lee & Linda Ferguson but wasn't sure what to get or if I even needed one. Also from what I've read on this website basswood is some good wood to get, any idea's of where to get some affordable wood?

Carinna (age 14)

[Claude]

Welcome to the forum, Carinna!

You can buy basswood at many craft stores such as Michaels, but it's very expensive there. I buy mine from Heinecke Wood Products They have top quality wood at a fair price and fast service. For an absolute beginner, I'd suggest getting the beginners kit from Rick at Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply It contains a knife, carving glove, strop for keeping things sharp, and a set of sharp gouges. These are quality tools that should last you a long time.

You don't mention where you are in the world, but if you look over on the left side of the screen, near the top, at WCI Community, the fourth link down is Carving Clubs. Click this, then enter your location in the pull-down menu and see if there are any carving clubs nearby. If there are, I'd suggest contacting one and go visit them on their carving night. Most clubs welcome newcomers and will be more than willing to answer questions, show you how to keep tools sharp, etc. Some even sell basswood.

Claude
PS: I have a 15 year old granddaughter who loves to cook, and she knows how to sharpen a knife!

[Doug R]

Welcome to the forum, it's nice to see young people getting interested in carving I only wish I started at your age. Little Shavers is a great place to get started with some tools and Rick offers a sharpening service with all tools you purchase just pay shipping. This forum has unlimited resources so take advantage of them and keep the chips flying. WELCOME!!

[Mark Dellinger]

Carinna,

Claude named a couple good places to start for wood and tools. A carving club would also be a big help.

From the comments in your post, you have already learned the importance of a sharp tools. I work with my cousins son who is somewhere around 9 years old.

Here's the advice I would give to you.

1. If you don't have a glove get one
2. If you want to try a knife check out the site Claude talked about and get the starters kit.
3. Ask all the questions that you can
4. Go on line and learn as much as you can.
5. Don't get in a hurry
6. Sit back and have fun


Watch all of Gene's videos, and there are some other's here that have videos that will help a lot also.

Safe Carving and God Bless,

Mark

[Mitchell]

Pretty sharp for a 14 year old. I'm impressed. I changed your title to be a little more specific. Claude offers good advice about finding other carvers nearby - if possible. Not sure where (exactly) you are located, but there are good carvers in your State.

There are many threads/posts on tools (knives and gouges) as well as wood. It really depends on what you want to carve. The knives you referenced are good quality. Learn to use the search function here to find answers - or help to ask more questions Don't use the top search (with the box), but the one under it with the drop down.

The gouges that are chipped may not be because of the wood, but because of the tools....you did not mention the maker. It may not be feasible (financially) to get them fixed. Rick at Little Shavers is your best bet (already suggested) - depending on his time.

[cburnett]

My mom got the tools at Woodcraft. Here is the link to the tools I have Buy 6 Piece Carving Set at Woodcraft.com
Sorry the tools I got are Ramelson brand not the ones I put in the link above, the tools are the same just a different brand.
I live in Oklahoma 3 hrs from Dallas. Does Heinecke have free shipping? I most likely won't buy a new kit from Little shavers seein how much they cost and I already have 6 tools. I especially like Mr. Messer's carving's, does that mean I should buy a knife? I have a pocket knife my Granddad put a wood handle on, I don't know if that would work or not.
I'll try to attach some pics.
Carinna

[Mitchell]

Great job with the pictures! Perfect for getting advice.

To carve the items Mr. Messer carves, a knife is recommended. Your Granddad did a fine job with the knife and it should work. You may need a longer blade next.

The tools that you got from Woodcraft are not the best quality..... I'd rate them as 'fair'.

The best advice is to get a few individual tools and not get a full set. The good thing about the 'kit from Little Shavers is that it's put together with individual tools.

Look through sharpening threads to get advice (asked many times already). You can go a very inexpensive route with sand paper and a strop. Often referred to as "scary sharp method". Sometimes sharpening is an art in itself. The tools you have would be good for practicing on to sharpen your skills in that area.

Look at the clubs link for possible groups near your area.

[Claude]

Mitchell has some great advice for you. Google "scary sharp" and you'll see - it's basically using inexpensive sandpaper to do your sharpening instead of expensive stones or power tools. Takes longer, but way cheaper.

How do you tell if your knife is sharp? Well, some suggest cutting a piece of paper hanging from your other hand; some suggest shaving your arm (probably doesn't work well with the female persuasion.. ).

My suggestion is this. Take your knife (or gouge) over to a table lamp. Hold your head next to the light bulb (as close as you can get). Hold the knife horizontally under the lamp so the reflection of the light off the flat of the blade hits you in the eyes. Slowly rotate the blade along it's long axis until the cutting edge is up. If you see any reflection from the cutting edge, the knife is not yet sharp enough.

Go get one of the kitchen knives and try this with that knife...you'll be surprised at how much light is reflected from the edge of the kitchen knife... (I do have an ulterior motive here: I love to cook, and my kitchen knives are sharp...it's amazing to see how many cooks use knives that really aren't sharp enough to cut soft butter...) Learn how to sharpen, and any cooks you know will love you!


Claude

[cburnett]

Hey,
I will look up scary sharp and see what is comes up with. My Granddad also taught me how to sharpen knives razor sharp a couple months ago. A couple days ago I sharpened our kitchen knives. I do test to make sure they are sharp by shavin' my wrist. The tools I got are about as expensive as I probably will get for now.
Thanks for the advice.
Carinna

[Mark Dellinger]

Carinna,

Hello again. Both Mitchell and Clude are right on the mark with their comments. Lets forget about the chisels and gouges for now. I'm getting the feeling that you really like Gene's carvings and that is the type of carving that you want to do. I have watched many of Gene's videos and I believe that you can carve most of them with a knife only! I carve about 90-95% of my carvings with only a knife. You can learn to do the detail on hair and stuff with just a knife fairlt easy. Now you work on the "scary sharp" method which is how I sharpen my knives and get you a good edge on that knife. One thing that may give you a little trouble with your knife is how much wood is at the bottom edge of the blade, the wood may get in the way and contact the wood and keep you from what you are about. If it does, I bet your grandad can cut it back a lttle for you without getting into the blade, but I would try it first. If you have any questions you just keep doing what you are and you ask.

Safe carving and God Bless,

Mark