A letter from a new reader Re: beginner tools

[BobD]

Hi everyone,
We got this letter in, and I'd like to share it with all of you to see what you think:

My son received his first/trial issue of WCI. He was so inspired looking over the first issue that he is hand deep working on a woodburning project

I was so excited to read that one of your goals for the next 10 years is to taget your magazine/art to children

My son is wanting tools for Christmas for carving; however, I don't know where to start. Can you make some suggestions to me for products for boys ages 10-12?

Thanks much!

Let's give her a bunch of advice!!!!! And no discounting any advice! As far as I'm concerned, it's all good advice!!!!!!

Bob

[mdallensr]

I'm sure other posters will suggest our good friend Rick and his beginner tools: you can't go wrong. I also strongly recommend finding an instructor or carving group to get this youngster off to a safe start in wood carving. He needs to know about gloves and finger protection, he needs to learn the safe way to carve with a knife, and the safe ways to use gouges and chisels. We want to get him started on a hobby that is enjoyable, and avoiding some bad nicks and cuts will keep him interested and confident about new projects. Mike

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

A glove....and a thumb guard lol right off, then a starter kit from Rick...and some basswood from Heinecke......"it don git no bettn' thet!" And tell her to have him read up on the "Scary Sharp" method...and practing with a wooden knife lol

[Tom-H]

A carving mentor would be great. Some one who is a carver with lots of skills, knowledge, patience, understanding, and love for wood carving. Plus everything else that has been mentionned. I think a mentor can be critical. I have spent 2 1/2 years trying to teach myself. Now I'll probably have to spend 4 years unlearning wrong stuff that I taught myself.

Tom H

[Eddy-Smiles]

No indication where she lives. Giving a call to folks like Little Shavers or Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers would be a great start. Neither would steer her wrong. In addition to tools they could recommend a good beginner's book that would expedite her son's learning curve. A personal visit to a carving shop (not a Woodcraft because it's often difficult to find anyone that knows anything about carving) would also be beneficial to the young lad. Nothing to get the juices flowing more than to see a room full of roughouts, tools and equipment.

[Mottles]

I'd like to recommend Rick also www.littleshavers.com and www.heinecke.com to get this young man started. If there is a carving club near his home recommend a visit. Also, as Tom H mentioned a mentor with lots of carving experience would be great.
If this young man lives anywhere near Prescott, Arizona or Yavapai County, Arizona he and his mom are most welcome to visit the Prescott Wood Bee Carvers. We work with a lot of young people.
Kathy

[Mitchell]

Soap carving is a relatively safe way to get started. It allows practice on carving techniques. The drawback is that the student is limited in what he/she can carve.

If possible, find a club. There may be trouble with his age(our club restricts members due to age - liability issues???), but it could lead to a mentorship (as someone mentioned).

Practice, practice, practice. Be prepared to mess up lots of wood before making something that is presentable.

Also, be prepared for cuts - mentally and physically. It's highly likely that he will cut himself at some time or another. The key is being prepared to handle on any level. Read a little on first aid for cuts and have some supplies on hand to address any possible cuts (be prepared).

[AlArchie]

Along with Rick Ferry at Little Shavers, Susan (L.S. Irish) has a great beginner's project with pattern and instructions for FREE! Click here http://www.carvingpatterns.com/fishdecoy.htm

There are several great beginners books at Rick's place and some excellent beginners instructions for very reasonable prices at Susan's site. There are also some free instructionals there. Great people, great projects and great prices.

I don't know if I can post this or not, so I'll leave it up to admin. I have the pattern for the five minute owl ( a simple starter carving that really can be done in about five minutes) that was posted originally by a New York Carvers' club, but has since vanished from the web. Even the original poster has faded away somewhere. But if I can post it let me know and I will gladly put it back up.

Advice?? Start with something simple that can be completed in a few hours at most. Add praise and encouragement to the new carver as he begins and improves. Don't expect too much to start and don' be surprised at success!
Send some time making sure he has sharp tools. Those purchased from Rick or Smokey Mountain are sharp. If you purchase on line make sure to ask the supplier about the tools being honed prior to shipment.

As a Scout leader I was firmly devoted to the KISMIF principle. Keep It Simple, Make It Fun. It works for beginners of all sorts.

Al

[squbrigg]

My first thought is to get that lad signed up for a two year subscription and a Pattern Mag out to him. The others have already pointed him towards Little Shavers to be outfitted. Hook him up with a carving club, mentor or Boy Scout Troop. Also make sure he has a library card and get him haunting their shelves for book on carving. Look for books by Rick Butz and Chris Pye, they both have standards for beginners.

So, bar sending him to one of us for a month or two, that ought to get him started. Wood can be found everywhere, though Basswood is more forgiving on new carvers, Pine, Walnut, Butternut and Cedar also will do.

Bob

[JIM QUILICI]

encouragement.....encouragement ......encouragement and the stuff from little shavers should do the trick........have fun....make it fun....it is fun.
Jim