Woodspirit/faces

[Howie]

Hi folks,

I picked up the Carving a Wood Spirit book (which comes with the study stick) and am getting very frustrated – I can't get the smooth cuts described in the book. Could this be the cheap gouge/chisels I'm using, or am I destined to not carve faces?

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by Howie

Could this be the cheap gouge/chisels I'm using, or am I destined to not carve faces?

Well, for sure it will be tough if the gouges and chisels you are using are of poor quality. You can test the edges by cutting across the endgrain of some basswood. If the cut looks scuffed or there are scratches, the edge needs some work. Also, often cheap carving tools will have steep bevels, making it difficult to carve smoothly.

[Dan Wegiel]

Hi Howie,
Terry gave you some good advice, sharp tools are very important. Get a good sharp edge and make sure and let us see the results, good luck!

Dan

[Irishman]

Be sure your have the foundamentals of face carvings as that might be part of your frustration. It takes time...as you probably heard from the members here...to get faces your happy with. Form your own style as you may be too hard on yourself and trying to carve like someone else. Practice on some logs and you can always discard what you don't like. Also, use some basswood wedges as it forces you to carve faces that are less flat. There are tutorials on the site that can provide support as you probably know. Keep at it as you will eventually get there. Faces are challenging but the more you keep at it, the easier they will come.
Patrick

[Susan L. Hendrix]

Good tools are very important. The metal used in good tools will keep an edge longer.
I have been able to get sharp edges even on some cheaper tools, but the edges don't last long. I strop my tools often to keep the edges sharp.
But first you need a sharp edge. When your tools are sharp, they sing. Really, they have a sound that you will learn to recognize as you carve with sharp tools. If you can find a sharpening tutorial online, or find a book that goes into detail about how to sharpen and strop, it will save lots of frustration. Everett Ellenwood has a great book on sharpening and carving, both. I can give you lots of other names of books if you want a few to look at. I have been carving and teaching for 24 years and I have been through the same frustrations that you have. Don't give up. Susan