Newbie seeking some input

[don]

I stopped at a shoemaker one day, explained what I was doing and he gave me enough leather for a dozen strops ( Only made 3 so far,1 for the shop and 2 for my carving toolbox)

[ALLANON]

Thanks for the replies to the post, altough now I am leaning towards Auriou tools as I've found a decent deal on a 12pc Chris Pye set. I would like to let you know that I have spent much time researching carving on the web over the last 1 and 1/2 years and plan on a long carrer in carving being only 24. I just like the idea of starting with a nice set so that hopefully I will have a minnimal yet full assortment of tools to start and only have to feel the large pain of parting with so much money at once for "hobby" but being that I am in the skilled trades it hurts a a little less since I know the work put into making tools and using them. Thanks again all.

[squbrigg]

Ahhh.....to be 24 again! Just starting out, a whole life ahead of me.....er.........you. You are making an excellent move getting into carving early, it is relaxing, develops skills and discipline, and gives you a channel to express yourself. Enjoy yourself...........take some good classes, even better, go to Europe and study carving from the Swiss or Germans, then come home and practice, practice , practice. We have lots of trees here in North America, plant some, harvest some, carve lots, enjoy them all!

Bob

[Donna_T]

Al...
I think you're approaching the whole idea of carving with the right attitude. Too often people get into carving by buying a few cheap tools so that they don't have very much money invested (in case they don't like it, I guess.) Having cheap tools that don't sharpen or perform like you want them to can actually make carving harder and less enjoyable. I have probably 10-15 tools that I bought in early years, not knowing what I wanted and not having a preference on specific brand tools, and I'd gladly trade them for 5 good ones.

There's lots of good advice here. But practice, practice, practice is probably one of the better ones. And ask questions--you'll find lots of different advice here and you can pick and chose the things you want to try. Most of us have tried lots of different things in carving and painting so there aren't many mistakes we haven't collectively made!

Donna T

PS. 24? I've got shoes older than that! Heck, I've probably even got food in the freezer older than that. We're glad to have you as a carver, regardless of your age.

[big_Wayne_P]

Donna

you should clean out that freezer

Jester

[BobD]

By the way Allanon...based on your image and user name, I'm betting you are a Terry Brooks fan...


Bob

[big_Wayne_P]

Ok I'll Bite

Who is Terry BrooksQuestion Question

I am older and sometimes forgetfull

never heard of Terry Brooks

[carver6]

I'm with you Big Wayne P. Never heard of the person.Question Smile

[Donna_T]

Terry Brooks the writer?

Donna T

[squbrigg]

Well let me see.....there's Garth Brooks, no that ain't him, and then there's Foster Brooks and Brooks Brothers, not them either, and then there was that Brooks woman.....Red Face ......wooh, not her for sure! No, I don't know who he is either?

Bob