Never ever seen it or tried it

[Beeseph]

I have recently become kind of obsessed with the idea of wood carving. I don't really have any creative hobbies and I would really like to try wood carving but I need to know some basics first. Is it possible to start fairly inexpensively? I don't want to invest a whole lot of money and then discover that woodcarving is not for me, I guess you could say I'm still in the Home Depot/ Hobby Lobby stages of carving. Any suggestions for one knife or one piece of wood that would be good for a beginner of my level? My Dad said I should try carving a few bars of soap before anything but I am determined to give it a little more of an actual try. I just honestly have no idea what to even look for.
Thanks!
B

[Midnight Carver]

Welcome aboard B! Some carving clubs will give new carvers a cut-out blank and let them borrow a knife to see if they like it. If you click on "carving clubs"(on the left under WCI community), there is a club in Amarillo. You could contact them and possibly try carving without spending anything.
I hope you try it and end up loving it as much as so many of us do...can't wait to see your first carving

Eric

[Eddy-Smiles]

Most of your woodcarving suppliers sell relatively inexpensive beginner kits that will give you the tools you need to introduce you to carving without breaking the bank! Check out "Little Shavers" .... "Smoky Mountain Wood Carvers"...etc

[Mark Dellinger]

B,
Hello and welcome. You can invest without going in debt, but make sure the investment is not so inexpensive that you are turned off carving by poor tools and not carving itself. I bet your'e gonna love it.

Safe Carving and God Bless,

Mark

[SlowMover]

Come to the Amarillo Clubs show this weekend at the Civic Center, Sat 10-6 or Sunday 10-5, admission is free...look around, talk to folks, check out the vendors and have a good time.

[minowevie]

Hi B, and welcome. for me, I just love anything to do with wood. I do a lot of scroll saw work. and getting magazines and books on the matter. I soon learned that I love more. I met a gal in harbor freight one day. invited me to a carving group. well I didn't particularly like caricature carving. but was impressed buy the chip carving, ( that you can do with one knife) and relief. I thought . gosh I can never do something that fine. but just gave it a try. in my first year. last year. I won 3 best of shows. and this year 3 blues and 2 best of shows. and now since I have done some resurch, I find tons of carvings that I would love to try. it is easier then I thought. and I am a tool junkie so I did invest in many tools. but I could have stayed just with chip carving and been happy. with the one or two knifes it took to do it with. I find myself doing relief carving, even carving in the round. and am obsessed buy learning more. I find getting books and magazines really help me get inspired.I get a lot of wood off my own place. and just use lots of wood off of old furniture. that would be fire wood anyway. it is lots of fun. and a chance to learn things, I thought would never be possible to me.I would suggest getting some books on sharping, and carving, join a carving group. and away you go. hope this helps. Evie

[Claude]

Welcome to the forum, B!

I recommend the beginner's kit from Rick at Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply - comes with everything you need to get started, and the tools are all sharp!

Claude

[Robert Cahill]

All the above is good advice you might also check out this months issue of Woodcarving Illustrated (issue 53) it has some good project for beginners.

[Mitchell]

Slowmover gave the best advice (as far as timing!) - GO TO THAT SHOW!

Meet people - ask questions. Pick out what you like and talk to the people that carved those things.

Join that club if possible.

[Beeseph]

Thanks so much for all the feedback! It was extremely helpful. The Little Shavers beginners kit is on the Christmas wish list and if I wasn't going to be in Portland this weekend, I would be at that show for sure. I did however try to e-mail someone from the club (the one listed on this website) and have not heard back yet.
Slowmover- do you know anything about the wood carving club here in Amarillo, Tx?
Thanks,
B