Traditional vs Power carving

[hbarber]

I enjoy using knives to carve. However, recently I power-carved a Ponderosa Pine Trout (located on this site but I have recieved no comments) to see what it would be like. It was fun! Should I feel guilty for moving away from the traditional side...for awhile?
hb

[Kadiddle]

Carving- the cutting of material in order to form a figure or design. There are many ways to achieve the end result. Have fun and put the guilt away. As always,
Carve On,
Kadiddle

[SlowMover]

My opinion is that how ever a person wants to carve is the right way (for them)..I use a dremel at times for small parts of my carvings (nostrils. seperating between legs mostly) and feel great about it, power allows me to do some things faster, some things neater, and some things easier. I know there are some carvers who think they are "purists" and frown on power...but I bet that if the great old time carvers had access to power and the accessories we have today, a lot of them would have used power for sure. I SAY DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK, PLEASE YOURSELF.
In my mind. sort of as a related topic, is the use of roughouts...I prefer to cut out and shape my own carvings from a plain block of wood ( and yes I do use others patterns at times)...I enjoy the transformation from a lump of wood to a shape, at times it is the most fun part of a carving. I know folks who carve only rough-outs and they enjoy that, and I have no problem with it..whatever floats your boat. I do, however, frown on judging roughouts in the same classs as all self-done at some shows, I think it is unfair to compare the two..just my opinion.

Thanks for starting an interesting (I hope) thread....keep on carving.

[hbarber]

Thanks for the reply. A friend just dropped of a few pieces of aspen for me to try out. I Already have ideas on what I will use the wood for and will be using knives and power tools!
hb

[Dagwood]

I think every one can argee that carving is a manipulation of wood to create art!!! There are some die hard guys and gals out there that only carve with one or the other and will belive there's is the only way. I say Great to what ever they chose and enjoy the end result however my personal belife is that you carve to be happy, carve to create, carve to kill time, but carve... if it works for you it shouldn't matter how you get there.

[Sharon Dell]

I like using both! They both take practice. At night I carve at the kitchen sink with no power. I carve with my power tools on the porch until we build a shop. One of the reasons I like power is because with my ear protection on, I can't hear the phone!

[Gergie]

I try to use my knives and gouges as much as I can, because of the dust. But I will get the foredom out when needed. especially for finish sanding.

I always think, it's my wood and my choice.

Good luck on your carving adventures.

[blksmith]

Different applications call for different tools, but remember that those tools are only as good as the person using them...unless something goes wrong and then it's the tools fault

Some folks would be amazed at how much work they could accomplish if they'd trade in their high horse for a sawhorse

[uvawyo]

I checked out your trout HB and I think you did a wonderful job on it
and does t really matter if you carved with a knive or a dremil the end result is what counts
I suppose that is Machiavellian, huh.

[jimmy joe]

I lean towards the chip making tools . I like the quiet and no dust . I do have and use power tools when needed though .