New and inexperienced!

[Anabetica]

Hi There,

I pray I didn't do a double post--I'm learning how to work these message boards.

I have an artistic 11 yr old boy who I think would do well with wood carving. We have looked at and like Ostheimer figures Ostheimer Nativity Scene - The Wooden Wagon

I have already purchased for his upcoming birthday the beginning wood carving set from WoodCraft Buy Beginner's Carving Tools at Woodcraft.com

What else would he need to have? I wish I would have looked at the Little Shavers set first as that seems more complete.

Do you recommend any books or videos that would help? Thanks so much!!!

Blessings,
Betty

[tbox61]

Betty,
One thing I can tell you for sure--EVERYONE on this board was a beginning carver once!

I am teaching my 12 year old great-nephew how to carve right now.

The set that comes up under your link is a gouge set--a very good set, as I have the same one.

If you don't have a good bench knife for him, Rick at Little Shavers has the Murphy knives which would be a great starter knife, and would last him many years. A cut proof glove is also a must, and thumb guard of some sort is also helpful.

As far as recommending books, it depends on where his interests lie. I have a love for caricatures, and Jack Price's book, Carving Small Characters was the first carving book I every bought and offers good instruction for beginners.

I am thoroughly instructing my nephew in safety and the basic cuts with his knife before we even start on a project.

Hope this helps!

Tim

[Ashbys]

Betty ,

You will need a strop and compound, and although the chisels are factory sharpened , does not mean they are sharp. If I remember the chisels are ground edges and not finished. The strop is necessary to bring the edge to a fine finish.

You need a vice. The vice will be used to hold the working piece in place and out of his hand. Most cuts are caused by holding the work in a hand, this will reduce the chance of stitches and make the work eaiser.

Third as the pieces you shown are basically flat carvings, you will need wood flats, I would suggest basewood, or clear pine in 1/2 inch 4-5 inches wide and a coping saw to cut out his patterns.

I have been very careful not to suggest a knife. If he has a teacher that can show him how to work with the knife, then by all means. If he doesn't and you have purchased chisels already , the chisels will do the jobs necessary to do the work you showed.

If you decide on a knife , get the best carving glove that you can to fit him. I would suggest classes , you can check at your local woodcraft store to see in they have any starter classes.

Then I suggest you and or your husband take the classes with him. Make it a family thing and spend family time doing it , it will help hold his interest. Make him finish what he starts, it teaches good work habits and at his age he could go a long way.

Ash

[Ed Redwine]

Betty: You're getting some good advice here but the MOST important thing I could suggest would be a good carvers glove. It might just prevent a trip to the ER for stiches! There are some books for beginners. Sorry I don't have a link but folks like the Woodcraft Shop in Bettendorf, IA carry them. Good Luck.

[Mitchell]

Try to find someone to work with him as a mentor. At least get to a club if possible. It would be MOST helpful for him to watch others.

There are lots of free videos on this site and on the web for him to watch also.

[Mark Dellinger]

Betty,
Let me welcome you and your son. you have been given some good advice. Classes would be a great help. You will learn not only how to carve but how to carve in the safest manner and how to take care of your tools. Dull tools have to be forced through the wood and are an accident waiting to happen. I work with my cousins 9 year old son. He is relatively small in size and one of the issues that he had was the tools that were bought for him were too large for his small hands, the other was that he did not know the proper way to maintain them, and the smallest carving glove was too large. You may need to find a small glove to wear under the carving glove. The wood vise is good advice because it will allow him to work while keeping his hands somewhat out of the way. If you choose to go with knives try to take him to a store where you can find the one that fits his hand the best, allowing him to work with an instrument that is not only comfortable, but will give him better control. The other thing that I learned was to get him working on some simple projects that could be completed in a short time. This will keep him interested and boost his confidence. The more his confidence is increased the more degree of detail he will naturally take on. Many of the carvers here have posted great videos on you tube that you should check out. I never thought about these things until he came along and caused me to look at it from a different perspective. Good Luck and welcome to the wonderful world of carving.

Safe Carving and God Bless,

Mark

[LorenS]

Hi Betty,

Welcome to the board, am always glad to hear about young people interested in carving. Looking over the posts so far a lot of really good info has been given already. The best being a carving glove Ed Redwine mentioned the Woodcraft shop in Bettendorf Ia. they carry the best safety glove I have used. Larry or Carol Yudis or any of the other fine folks there will be more than willing to help you with any questions you might have. They are super people to work with and am proud to consider them good friends as well. Website is
www.thewoodcraftshop.com
Phone (563) 359-9684

Being primarily a knife carver one other thing I would recommend is a roll of carving tape, also known as wimp wrap it can be wrapped around fingers for an added measure of safety. I use it on my carving hand thumb, and on the index finger and thumb of my carving glove, a few quick stitches at the bottom keeps it in place, it saves some wear and tear on the glove itself. I also wrap the handles of my knives to provide a non slip grip.

Sharpening is a very good ability to have if you have a carving club or shop like Larry's in your area they would be a good source of information. I was lucky to have a great uncle whose pocket knife was always shaving sharp who taught me at an early age how to do it. As has been mentioned sharp tools are a pleasure and safer to use than dull ones, and if a cut happens it will heal faster.

[Robert Cahill]

All good advice the only thing I could add is check out Fox Chapel for beginner books .Larry green had one with an easy nativity, boot and scotty dog projects. May even be in your local library.