Frustration with Current Carvings

[ten99j4]

I thought I would look for some advise or inspiration from everyone. I have been carving for a little over a year now (not everyday) and was starting to feel fairly proud of the progress that I was making, until Christmas.

I have been carving with a Murphy Bench knife that I got in the Little Shavers Beginner kit. I really like that knife.

For Christmas, I got a Flexcut Whittlers Knife Set (Small Detail and Large Detail Knife). I have been using the Large Flexcut knife and haven't been able to carve anything that looks good.

My question is:

Do others experience a plateau where you start losing your touch for a bit or do you think that I am just having trouble with a new knife?

I have also just changed directions to Caricature carving from doing some faces in sticks and Santa ornaments.

Thanks for everyones input in advance.

[Bartster]

ten99,

it could be getting used to the new tools but sometimes i think carvers have "carvers block" and have trouble getting things to click sometimes, it happens to me when i come up with a new idea and try to interpret that idea to would sometimes it works out and sometimes i have to back up and punt and go at it in another direction, i wouldnt say you are losing your touch maybe just have a step out of place that is throwing you off.maybe you should try going back to something simple and then going back sometimes if i hit a hole in the road i will do this and it helps get everything back to normal. hope this helps

bart

and remember carving is an adventure each carving is a different learning adventure this is how we get better.

[SlowMover]

I think we all have "ups and downs" in every aspect of life, not just carving. It is hard to maintain a high degree of enthusiasism constantly, I think it is natural to have some period of less interest to sort of "cool down the brain".
I have been carving for around two years now, and I know what you mean about not being satisfied with your carvings. It takes a really long time to get as good as some of the folks whose work you see here on the forum, and it takes a lifetime to get as good as the very best of the carvers whose work is in the magaines and books we study. We want to do well, and when we aren't up to the standards of "good" that we formulate in our head from books and the internet, we get discouraged. i can promise you that if you stick to carving and practice, you will get better...occasionally there will even be what we often call an "A-HA" moment where something clicks and your skills advance in a big leap instead of in the usual baby steps.

We all do that search for the perfect tool or knife thing...and usually we eventually decide it is the hand holding the tool that make the real difference. Of course, you must have a proper knife or tool to do a job, but the major factor that determines the beauty of a carving is the carver, not the tools.

I bet that you just need an inspiration to revive your interest, such as starting a project YOU are excited about, or simply finishing a nice piece that makes you happy to look at. It will get better I know..been there done that, but didn't get the T-shirt (spent the money on a new knife instead).

[Irishman]

I would expect we have all been where you are now. One way I try to get past the "block" or stagnation is to go to a new project when the brain and hands just don't seem to find the carving in the wood. I must admit, I'm impressed that your doing your carvings with just knives as I have a multitude of gouges to assist in the task. You may even finding going to another medium might help. For example, I like to carve a golf ball now and again to break up my carving rut. Workshops, videos or new resources can also help you over the hump. Using this forum has aided me a number of times so check in with the members now and again as we are always willing to help.
Patrick

[pallin]

You might try browsing through the photo galleries, including forms of carving different from your present interests. When you find yourself thinking "Wow! I'd like to be able to carve like that!" Or, "I wonder if I could do that. . ." You might find your way to new challenges, and satisfaction.

[Claude]

For something different and fun, go to
Gene Messer’s Carving Videos Jim’s Random Notes
or
Arleen (Carverswoodshop) Carving Videos Jim’s Random Notes
and pick out something to carve. You can follow along as accurately as you wish, from replica to your own modified designs.

Claude

[Midnight Carver]

I went through the same thing recently. I found myself in a rut and not feeling like carving much, I just couldn't seem to "get it right". To get out of it, I tried doing something different from what I usually do. That seemed to help, it kind of refreshed me and I learned some new skills.
As far as the Murphy knife, if you like it, stick with it. I really like that knife and tried several "better" knives that I didn't like nearly as much. The way I see it, if you like the murphy knife, then for you it is the "better" choice. Keep the others and just try them out every once in a while, you might find you like them more in a few months.

Eric

[kdispoto]

In the beginning I looked towards all the carving magazines for inspiration. But later on it was the carving clubs that kept me interested. Now that I discovered the WCI forum I have enough inspration to last me until I run out of wood.

[makenchips]

Like what others have said if you like the Murphy knife then stick with it. However, you also mentioned in your last sentence that you also changed to caricature carving from doing your norm of stick faces and santa ornaments. Why not try and go back and do what you are used to with your new knifes to see if it is just that you are stepping out of your comfort zone or it is the break in time to get used to the new knife. When I get a new tool I take a scrap piece of wood and try and get used to the new tool and the way it handles and feels. Just a thought.

[TreeWizard]

That Murphy knife from Little Shavers came sharp, very sharp. I'm not sure the knife from Flex-cut is as sharp as you're used to. That might be your trouble.