Carving with both hands?

[jmischel]

Okay, it's pretty obvious up front that many (most?) of us use both hands when we carve. Typically, I see one hand holding the piece and the other holding the knife. I know that's how I work: gloved left hand holding the thing I'm working on while my right hand wields the knife.

Usually this works well. Except sometimes I need to make a cut that would be trivial if I had the ability switch hands. I've even done it from time to time: swap hands and make the critical cut left handed.

I was wondering: are there ambidextrous carvers who routinely switch holding/carving hands?

[bbowers]

I'm left handed but often carve with my right hand too. I run a lot of power tools using either hand too. It comes in pretty handy sometimes as you mentioned. I hate wearing a glove because I do use both hands but after a few nicks I've learned to use the glove and still switch hands.

[Just Carving]

Jim I do the same as you--hold with the left, carve with the right.

I've always wanted to be ambidextrous when I carve, but haven't really felt comfortable--one slip and then the right hand is out of commission--the one that I do my job as a CAD technician with.

I would suggest this. I just tried it the other day and it seemed to work for me--but I need to put more time into it.

Secure the piece that your carving--either to the bench (using a wood clamp so your tools won't get damaged should you slip) or maybe use a "dowel board" to hold the piece. (See pic--i think the plan for the dowel board was in WCI Issue 1)

Other clamping method - Wood Carving Illustrated Photo Gallery

Then try carving using both hands--one to hold the knife--or any tool, and the other to guide the working end of the tool. You can do this either way--right hand holding tool, and left guiding, or vice versa.

I liked it and I want to try it some more. Just been too busy--remodeling house, etc.

Bob

[Claude]

My left hand doesn't have sufficient small-motor control to give me any confidence it putting a sharp knife in it. I do the same as you can see Gene do in his videos: I turn the carving end-for-end and make the cuts. On Santas, for example, I make the eye cuts on the Santa's left eye with Santa in the normal position. To make cuts for Santa's right eye, turn him upside-down and make the cuts.

Claude

[Thomp]

Jim,

im a righty' carver,

but after surgery on my right wrist years ago i learned to use my left hand pretty well while healing up..
so occasionally i switch hands with the knife for no reason but it works,

usually prefur to carve with my right hand, towards my thumb, using the grip strength between my knuckles and thumb, like carving a face,

with the carving positioned with the top of the head towards me, making the cut from the right cheek to the eyebrow following the nose, through the area of the eye socket, yep i have switched hands to do the same cut on the left side, it worked, but it was a nervous time doing it....

[Magicman]

One of these days I'm going to learn to spell ambidextrous, then I might work on saying it!!
Larry

[Kenny_S]

Righty till I am deady!

[davidinsarasota]

99% of the time my work is on a Veritas carvers vice or other, but I still sometimes need to use my left hand (think inner corner of the right eye on a face carving). I am very right handed, but was told early on to develop my left for just such occasions. So I overcome the instinctual resistance and use the left, but only after tying my self in knots trying to do it with the right.

Still, I usually end up driving the tool with the left and guiding it, as best I can with the right.

[Phyllis Singer]

Hi Jim, I have used both hands for most anything I do including carving. I have had multiple surgeries on both hands and without being ambidextrous I would have been miserable. The casts/splints and long healing time found me using either hand for about anything. I think it just came naturally to me as a kid but it sure does help!!
Phyllis

[Iowa Carver]

I am like Claude, I flip the piece and continue to carve it with my right hand. I have never carved with my left hand.

Corey