New to hobby...Where do I begin?

Hello everyone,
I've always had an interest in the woodcarving hobby but don't know where to begin. I live in the DC metro area in Maryland. Are there classes available? Local clubs? Suggested places to buy my first tools and wood? Lots of questions....thanks for your help.

Jeff

Hi Buy a pocket knife and find a piece of wood and start whittling. If you like to to that then go to a local art supply store and get a set of small chisels and 'Exacto knife ' with a set of blades. Bass wood is good to carve, I subscribed to this Wood Carving magazine . It is great for ideas and help in beginning carving. has a good store to gAt the wood 'Vincentys' in Have de grace, MD.
Im from Elkton, check out your local community colage, maybe they have a carving program,we do in Decoys.
V :P

Try some woodcarving books and magazines, like Wood Carving Illustrated, Chip Chats, and Woodcarving. The training books will run to anything you might be interested in carving.

[Colin-Partridge]

Jeff,
Firstly I agree with the others get Woodcarving Illustrated and read it from cover to cover. Then get hold of a carving club in your area and attend one of their meetings. Most clubs encourage you to attend a couple of meetings to see if it interests you before joining. This will give you an idea of what you might like to carve. For instants there are bird carvers, santa carvers, woodspirit carvers, caracture carvers, etc you have to find out what interests you. Dont do like I did I didnt know what I wanted to carve and went out and brought a whole bunch of tools. Different carving requires different tools if your carving santa's and birds you will require small knives and gouges if you carve tree's like me you will need mallet tools and power chisels and then maybe you would prefer power carving to knives and chisels. So go out and buy a magazine and attend a meeting and decide your interest. Hope this has helped be sure to keep in touch and let us know your progress, and remember help is just a post away.
Colin
www.geocites.com/partridge_ch

[Callynne]

Welcome Jeff, you have come to an excellent place for advice and encouragement!! I've been carving for two and a half years and almost everything I've learned has come from the good people who belong here!
I started with a book, a knife, a gouge and lots of questions, without the advice I have gotten here I couldn't do half the job carving that I do. Ask us anything, someone will be able to help or point you in the right direction.
I don't have anywhere local to buy ANYTHING, so if you don't let us know, we have some great sources that we can tell you about! Have fun, be careful....definitely buy a glove and a thumb guard, the tools of our trade are wickedly sharp!! Callynne

Hi Jeff - If I was starting again I'd get ahold of Rick at LittleShavers and get him to fix me up with a knife, sharpening equipment, and a book or two and possibly a couple of carving tools. He'll give you good advice and won't sell you anything you don't need. You can email him at
rick@littleshavers.com

Hi Jeff -
I have to agree with Ed. Rick is very helpfull. I have bought a couple of knives from him. Make sure the knife you buy comes pre-sharpened. One of the hardest parts about carving for me is getting your knife good and sharp. I would suggest you start out with basswood or a similar soft wood with little grain. If you start off with a hard wood you might get a little discouraged. You can usually get basswood at a local hobby store or a Woodcraft store.

Hope this helps.

Thanks to everyone for the great responses!!!! I'll put in for a subscription for the magazine and contact Rick today. I've had some luck finding clubs within about 50-60 miles from my home but they all seem to meet during the week which is difficult with my job.

Do most of you do your carving on a workbench in the garage or at a drafting-like table in the house? Thanks again.

Jeff

[Donna_T]

Jeff,
Ditto what others have said. Get 3 basic tools; a good knife, a v-tool, and a veiner--something to sharpen and hone with, and MOST IMPORTANT, a thumb guard and a carving glove.

A carving club that offers lessons periodically is a bonus--but the individual help and encouragement from fellow members is priceless.

In the winter, I like to carve in the recliner, next to the fireplace, with a carving lap box to catch most of the mess. Since I'm the one to clean up the mess, it's my mess! In the summer I like to carve outside or in the shop.

The secret is to keep trying different things. 'How to' Books and carving magazines are a big help and the source of many hints and ideas.

Good Luck--and check here periodically for help and ideas, too.

Donna T.

[Captain_Bandaid]

I have a 5 foot long folding table set up with a 2-tube draftsmans light on an extension arm. It is in the same room with my computers. I built several desk-top racks and I keep most of my tools within reach. I usually vacuum up the chips after a day or two of carving...or when my wife quits talking to me! It is nice if you have a place where you can leave everything set up. This actually encourages you to sit down and carve more than if you have to dig up the tools and prepare a place to carve.