Need Help getting started

[thepoolhustler]

I wont to learn how to whittle and carve. I just bought a knife and small carving set and should be getting it in a few days. If any one has pointers on what i should start with to get good let me know!!

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

That's easy. Learn how to sharpen your knife and tools. Pick a method that looks interesting and stick to it until you have it perfected.

As to what to carve. Simple stuff. A good first time project is drill a 3/8" hole in a board, take a square piece of wood and whittle it to fit the hole as exactly as you can. Another one is try to whittle an egg. If you are really masochistic try a ball. Once you have done those three, you've got a pretty good handle on knife control and reading grain.

Don't get in a hurry! Take your time. Small easilly made cuts. Get in a hurry, you're gonna get cut. How bad is the only question. Large cuts require large force, large force equals danger. All the armor plate in the world will only minimize, not prevent. Proper technique will prevent.

[thepoolhustler]

ok thinks if you have any diagrams of projects i could start with please send them

[Claude]

There are a bunch of tutorials right here on the forum:
Wood Carving Tutorials - Woodcarving Illustrated Message Board

Claude

[Joy]

Welcome! Be sure to check out Gene Messer's videos and Lynn Doughtly's blog.

[LJonsson]

Hi!

Check out classiccarvingpatterns.com, It's Lora S. Irish's site and has tons of information and patterns. If you want to get way ahead of the curve, Woodarving Illustrated magazine is a must have.

BTW, although you didn't mention them, I hope you ordered a carving glove and thumb guards, they're a lot cheaper than ER and stitches.

Loretta

[Mitchell]

Practice - carve not expecting to make something, but just for the enjoyment.

If you look through the forum, you'll find some other beginner tips.

EDIT: I changed your thread title a bit (added "getting started")....this allowed the system to link some threads about the same topic (see "similar threads" below). There may be some tips on getting started in some of those.

WEAR A GLOVE> get used to it early.

[thepoolhustler]

thanks i will try and when i start carving and getting done with my projects i will post them on here so yall can tell me what yall think of them.

[Ron T]

Hello and welcome, poolhustler. It's nice to have you here.

[thepoolhustler]

What is the best tools to get to sharpen my tools? I need something cheap to buy cause i dont have that much money now to be spending on it