Carving and age!

[Jim S.]

This has been a very interesting thread for me folks.
As I read all of these posts, I can't help but think that like many of you, I always carried a pocket knife when I was a kid. Always whittling a stick or some other piece of wood was an easy going passed time.
I have to agree... kids these days just don't seem to have the same innocence of life that many of us experienced. Unfortunate and pretty sad isn't it?
We live in a world now full of too many electronic gadgets for our youth, that allows them to sit and melt their minds.
I think we have to do all we can to promote a hobby such as ours to bring back some of that lost innocence.
Sorry for ramblin'
Jim

[Ken]

I too got my first pocket knife around 4 or 5, & have carried one daily for over 70 years. And, it gets used nearly every day. I started carving, vs whittling, mid 60's. As to age in the carving club, I would imagine I am about average age, 77. Our oldest member is 96, and have several in their 90's & a large group over 80. However, our most unique carver is completely blind. When she thinks she nicked herself, she has to ask someone near her if she is bleeding to find out for sure. Compared to her, age is not a handicap when it comes to carving.

Ken

[Tom-H]

A current family event just made me think of yet another reason young and younger folks may not be turning to wood carving. And more specifically, why older folks are the ones that are starting to carve in their later years... We have a male family member who is thinking about retirement. His wife is beside herself. She said he has absolutely no hobby interests at all. That whenever he is at home now he just sits in front of the TV and watches news. She has asked me to try to introduce him to some carving. Maybe that's why so many older folk get into carving so late in life. There is a spouse who is behind it....Which maybe means that parents (or more likely grand parents) need to promote some life long hobby interests (wood carving) with the kids.

Tom H

[sludgeguy]

Here's my 2 cents worth.
I didn't start carving til I was thirty, never had time before then or anyone to show me how. I was a 4H kid and not in Scouts. I always drew and painted so I sort of fell into it. I think most clubs and hobbies are in decline as much because of the economy and the cost associated with "unecessary" expenses.
I think the best way to promote carving is TomH's way and carve everywhere.I tried it when my daughter had an extended hospital stay and found my carving well recieved. Now I'll take a plastic bag with some wood and my knife and glove most everywhere with me. Sitting on a bench in a mall quietly carving attracks a small crowd quite quickly and the first ones over are always kids. I will talk to them and explain what I'm doing and why and next thing you know you have 5 or 6 people standing there watching. In my pea brain I believe that will leave a passing if not lasting interest in carving.

thanks for starting this one Tom,
Doug

[Jim S.]

Yes, thank you Tom. Great topic of discussion.
Jim

[LBlake]

Let me apologize up front - this will probably be even more verbose than usual.... And, by the way, Thanks for bringing up the topic, Tom - not just here. Thanks for looking out for us! (I'm one of those at risk of getting kicked out of Sr. Centers)

Anyway - my two cents: I think demonstrating, and encouraging anyone interested to try is the key to keeping any hobby alive. Exposure is key. People don't do what they don't know about. We need to look everywhere for opportunities to demonstrate. I love the carving in the mall idea. I do it waiting for my car at the shop...
One thought I had... cultural diversity is a big thing these days. Welsh Lovespoons are a cultural tradition - so I've been thinking of trying to find ways to demonstrate at culture fairs & such. There are lots of cultural carving traditions....

So, those of you teaching the kids in your family to carve 5 minute wizards & such - or carving everywhere you go - GOOD FOR YOU!!!! I noticed at the Dayton show that they had a kids' activity. I thought that was absolutely brilliant.

Ok - just to emphasize my point, now...

On my coffee table today are a spreader and fork that I made in 7th grade woodshop (picture attached). We did it with a coping saw and sanding, but they could probably just as easily have taught us how to carve a kitchen spoon or a Santa ornament... etc. The point is - THEY TAUGHT US, and I tell you - I ATE IT UP! It might have been the only chance I ever really had to do woodworking growing up. I worked on my little utensils until they were perfect, and then wanted to do another! I worked on them every moment that anyone would let me. The teacher even gave me some expensive woods to work with after I finished my first couple. But aside from my shop teacher, I don't remember any encouragement to do more woodworking. And I know I ALWAYS showed interest. But, it wasn't like I could make a career of making forks and spreaders.... I could, however, have been a furniture maker or cabinet maker, or even a luthier - seems like it might have been good for someone to bring up such an idea...
The point of my story is, I didn't do what I didn't know about, or was not encouraged to do. I think we need to watch for interest like that in kids, or anyone, for that matter, and do anything we can think of to encourage and cultivate it - even if just into a hobby. At the very least, I wasted lots of time watching TV growing up, when I could have been carving!

Thanks again for getting us thinking about it, Tom - excellent subject. Sorry I rambled so long!!!

[Dagwood]

Well i have to say i agree to most of whats been said

[jimmy joe]

I agree and think Lynn hit right on the head . My son likes knives , collects them and enjoys using them on camping trips . But you have to make real sure one of his pocket knives don't get left in a pocket . It would not be good .

[Kenny_S]

Like most here, I grew up hunting and fishing and carried knives, pocket and one on the belt, even to school and never thought of it as a weapon but a tool to use while hunting and fishing. Even has a rifle or a sgotgun in the back window of the up truck. Not these days Though.

I believe it depends on the attention span of a child what age they start and if they are able to handle a knife correctly. First of all, safety is the formost in starting a child out in carving or anything else, IE hunting, fishing, woodworking etc. Build them up mentally as you go along, encourage them every step of the way even if they don't carve something that is recognizable. Show them simple techniques and then as they progress, more ways to carve.

Process them along from star to fishing a carving with finishes.
May not be what others do but It does work when Ihad a Scouter who is interested. The sad thing is there are so many other activities that do get in to the child's time.
Tom, a good discussion and topic. Thank you!

[Marci MN]

This is an interesting topic..

I read what was said here and agree and want to toss in another aspect of youngers not carving. What about medical costs? Remember when we were little.. a cut and we slapped iodine on it. Bandaide and we were off playing again. Now if you get a good enough cut to bleed , kids are rushed to doctor wich is an instant 100.00+ bill. And if a parent doesnt take child in..THEY can get in trouble for neglect. So what do they do? Plop them in front of something physically safe...the TV. :S

And Insurance. Theres another thought.. if someone takes their knife on to YOUR land and gets cut... possible lawsuit. Thats a big fear that stops alot of activities pertaining to a sharp object. No more sitting in front of the general store on their chairs whittling with your buddies.

Now when you talk about your first experience with carving.. mine is a neighbor who was a carver. I wish I could find him again.. I'd thank him for 'ignoring' that 8 year old girl who would peek in the window to watch him. LOL I'd sit two doors down on our steps and listen to that gouge cut through the wood. If I shut my eyes I can still hear that sound. Or the mallet tapping away... and wishing I could sit there and watch him working. I never did get to see it finished and have thought of that huge carving many times. Drake was his last name if anyone knows him. And Orange City, IA was the town.

Marcia.