Finally found a carving club

[A_Swope]

I have been overjoyed, for the past couple hours.
Was talking to this feller I know, and we got to talking about carving and he mentioned his cousin was in a carving club where I live.

Never knew there was a carving club around Altoona, checked the phone books, internet, magazines, asked other people, nothing, till today.

So my question is,(this may seem weird that I'm asking this, but I've never been to a carving club.) What exactly is a carving club like? I realize you carve. but is there other things involved?

Alex

[Claude]

Well, first off, the secret initiation is "fun"... Image being blindfolded, and told you have to walk 20 feet across the floor barefoot and there are carving knives and gouges scattered along the floor. Also, don't worry about having to eat the handful of basswood chips - they're usually non-toxic to most people, and one of the club members will give you some water to wash them down.

Joking! Actually, the one's I've been to are usually a bunch of people sitting around some tables carving, wood chips all over the floor, tool boxes and tool rolls full of knives and gouges, roughouts and blanks here and there. After a while, someone pulls a finished carving out for a "show and tell", and others may do so also. Might be a short business meeting. Frequently, a "carving of the month" where everyone tries their own approach to a specific carving that month. If you are new to carving, the club is a great place to ask questions and get answers. You'll be able to actually see (and often handle) many of the popular knives and gouges. Someone will be an expert on sharpening and will be happy to show you how. Many clubs have a community bandsaw and maybe other tools that you can use to saw out your patterns.

Well worth while to go...
Claude

[Donna_T]

Claude,
You forgot the goat part of the initiation to a club. Oh well, that's just the messy part. Kidding, too.

Our club is pretty much the same as Claude described. I've visited a couple dozen clubs from New England to New Mexico--so far. They were all very welcoming of visitors. Sometimes someone is leading a carving project--and other times, everyone is just carving on their own project. In our club, we jokingly say we all love carving, visiting, and eating--sometimes we just move those things around in our priorities. We sometimes have refreshments--potluck suppers (or lunches if we're having a one-day workshop) or even just a bag of candy passed around. When visiting some larger clubs, there might be a bird project going on in one corner, someone leading a relief project in another, someone sharpening tools in another, then a bunch just sitting around carving on their own projects. Anyone could get help who asked for it (but in my experience, not many will volunteer advice unless you ask).

It's a great way to tap into local suppliers of carving supplies, too. Many clubs have a club sharpener, maybe a saw, and sometimes a library of carving books and "go bys" that can be checked out to members. Clubs sometimes sponsor carving workshops that might be anything for 2-3 hours, to 2-3 days or more.

Glad you found a club...they are a great source of carving friends and carving support.

Donna_T

[A_Swope]

Thanks Donna , Claude
Now I'm really excited about going.

[SlowMover]

A club is like any other group of people, and some are better than others. I am sure there will be a guy or gal that welcomes you, and two that ignore you, three that say high and four that don't....Just sit down and start talking to the people next to you, and move to a different spot the next week so you can talk to new people (as most folks sit in the same spot all the time). Some clubs have a printed information sheet about them and their activities and policies, others you just find out about stuff as it comes up. It is sort of like meeting your wifes family for the first time..a little scary and a little fun at the same time. Just remember, the folks there all know each other and they have their routine, you need to insert yourself into the activity cause otherwise you run the risk of just sitting there alone and that is no fun. Once you have met and gotten to know a few people, then you are one of the group and it is a lot more fun. Hang in there and go a few times and you will find it is a great activity that you will find yourself looking forward to. Enjoy.

[Dan S]

They left out the important part... BRING DONUTS! Always good to make a good first impression.

Have fun,
Dan

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Good deal Alex, have fun!

Dave

[Midnight Carver]

SlowMover, are you trying to talk him out of it..."It is sort of like meeting your wifes family for the first time?" Just kidding.
Have fun Alex! Let us know how it goes

Eric

[A_Swope]

Thanks guys, I'm still waiting for the information about it, Location stuff like that.
Can't wait to go.

Alex

[Dan S]

Hey there,
I was thinking about some problems I had finding a carving club here in Vegas. For years I searched until I finally found another carver. Since there were now two of us we formed a club. It worked out pretty well. We now have a great group of guys. Since then I've found three other clubs that were there all along and have rumors of a fourth in Summerlin. (If anyone is a member I'd like to talk with you guys!) If you have a club, list it in one of the carving magazines or on this forum. There are lots of guys who would love to join but cannot find you.

Thanks,
Dan