[Dennis Taylor]

I have been carving for a short period of time, and mostly done small rounded items...I have a pattern for a spoon, I would like to do, have the tools for which to carve, but have a question about holding it while carving...I thought about buying a Workmate, so that I could clamp it in the vice and have both hands free...anyone use this method, or is there something better or best?...tks in advance...Dennis

[EdO]

How to hold it is entirly up to you. Just a matter of personal preference. I guess, whatever works. My choice would not be a Workmate, but could be yours.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

something small like a spoon.......a carving glove! in the left hand lol.(assuming you are right handed)

[Dennis Taylor]

I was hoping for a means to secure to a bench top, I am also trying to carve some limbs with woodspirit faces in them, and looking for a holder to secure, the limbs are larger and not easily held and carved...Dennis

[mark yundt]

Not sure if you brought up the workmate since you have one,,or that it's a reasonable priced alternative,,but you are going in the right direction in the more secure you can keep the piece,,and free up both hands the better off you are. You can spend a small fortune for a variety of vices and such,,not sure how much or how long you plan to carve but without a major commitment that's a fine choice.I've seen many here do wonders with one, and it has the ability to hold some odd shaped pieces.Is it the ideal,,well what really is ? Depends on what you want to do. Whatever you choose,,pick something secure,,weight it if you can,,and keep carving.The further you go ,,and what you do will help determine what you end up with,,and you can always use a workmate somewhere so it's not really wasted money.If that's not an issue,,open any catalog and buy one of each!

[Kenny_S]

the hand and a carving glove. However, Mark is correct in that there are a variety of devices that works. A bench dog, the workmate or shopmate,Jerry rig or there are some that has made there own holders.
Somewhere there is a thread about it on this board. sorry, I can't remeber what the title of the thread was.
Several have made there holders out of pipe, T, flange, eye bolt and someother pieces. I think 1 inch and there are plans on the net. Sorry I could help more.

[Mitchell]

I just brace it against the workbench (wood) when I don't just hold it in my hand. I can really take off the wood that way with just a knife or gouge. I don't have to worry about loosening it to reposition, etc.

[Gergie]

for something like that spoon or a relief carving, I screwed two one foot firring strips. (1 inch by 2 inch) to my work bench Butting the corners togather to make a 90 degree angle. You can then slide the piece you are carving into the corner to keep it from moving while your carving it.

Boy. i hope that makes since, If not I'll take a picture and post it.

[mdallensr]

I use a bench hook for my small carvings. I put a piece of carpet pad on it to make it non-skip and have a wooden strip on the top edge to keep larger carvings from moving. I carve the back of a spoon last, to keep the back flat and stable while I'm carving the details in the front and bowl. Mike

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I made two vises, one "poor mans pipe vise" and a trailer ball vise(they are on my picturetrail site), in addition I have a couple of woodworkers bench vises, and a Panavise.....I suggest you do a google on woodworkers and or woodcarvers vises....there are as many and as varied as carving knives are....all in your preference!