Help Me Understand. Maybe I Missed it

woodenleg · #1 11-22-2003, 06:35 AM

In the Holiday 2003 edition of Woodcarving Illustrated on p 57, there is a feature article on carving a santa bust with an American flare to it!

In the article it shows the detailed steps, but it raised a question for me. The person demonstrating the carving holds the tools in the right hand, but also has the glove on the right hand and no glove on the left hand. I have been doing it just the reverse!!!

In the years I have been carving, I have cut my left hand many times, but have only cut my right hand (the one I hold my knives in) a couple of times. What gives? Is this the way you wear your glove??? Seems like this would do a poor job of giving protection...

#2 11-22-2003, 09:03 AM

I have seen the same thing in that article.

I have been thinking to write a letter to the editor to point out the error. No, I don't think you missed anything. :-/

Colin_Partridge · #3 11-22-2003, 09:09 AM

Woodenleg,
You are absolutly right that really seems wierd when I wear my glove (which is not very often) I wear it on the hand that is holding the piece not the one thats holding the tool. Maybe it is because he doent want blisters on his carving hand or to stop the knife cuts when he pulls the knife towards him. Maybe its a security thing or he has a really bad cut on the other hand that wouldnt look good to the camera. Never the less it really seems odd to me.
Colin

Callynne · #4 11-22-2003, 09:22 AM

Okay boys, did you read the article or just look at the pictures?? :

Flash back, remember saying the same thing to my children many times! Anyhow, on page 57 under Tips & Techniques it says 'Use a Kevlar or cut-resistant safety glove when carving. It protects your hand and keeps the wood clean. If you tend to skim your knuckles as you push a gouge or chisel into the wood, put a glove on the tool-holding hand.' I'd say he tends to be a 'skimmer', think he should be wearing one on the holding hand also though.
Next time read the article, don't just look at the pictures! Callynne, the eternal Mother....

I heard THAT!

#5 11-22-2003, 10:13 AM

You mean there are WORDS in a magazine?

I thought that was just blurry stuff between all the pretty pictures.

OK, thanks Mom, I stand corrected.

Colin_Partridge · #6 11-22-2003, 11:34 AM

Callynne,
Your probably right I am famous for just looking at the pictures reading would cut into carving time. Trust me you didnt hear anything when we are wrong we are wrong and you are much too sweet to be calling bad names you know we all love you. :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[
Colin

woodenleg · #7 11-22-2003, 03:38 PM

Yes, Mom. I read the article, but it didn't explain it to my satisfaction. If it helped you, then great.

But thanks for the tip.

#8 11-22-2003, 09:24 PM

It seems the mistake was caught for the last three pictures; just eliminate the glove all together!

Here is a rule of thumb we all should understand;

The glove is worn on the slowest hand, and the blade is held by the fastest hand.

woodenleg · #9 11-23-2003, 10:33 AM

This brings up another question. Nora Hall, as I understand it, makes the case for being able to carve with either hand. Whether she did or not, I do not know. However, when my piece is held in a vise (or some other fixture), I do try to carve with either hand (actually both hands with either hand leading the way).

Have you other carvers tried using either hand, and if so, have you had any luck with it? My success is only moderate, but I use it mostly when roughing out.

#10 11-23-2003, 11:53 AM

I would think there is a great difference in 'being able to carve with either hand', and 'trying to carve with either hand'. Â*Some folks ARE ambidextrous and this would be a definite advantage, but trying to learn to carve with either hand is definitely attempting to overcome some natural tendancies, and seems like it would be inviting disaster. Â*A brief lapse in cncentration could remove part or all of some body parts! Even moreso than carving with your strong hand. A lot of this involves eye hand coordination, and anyone who has had to learn weak hand shooting has found that no matter how hard you try, your strong eye is ALWAYS used for sighting, and you need to adjust your sighting line-ups with the strong eye/weak hand variant. Â*It is possible to shoot accurately, but it is never comfortable. Â*Just my opinion, but I'd think that unless you are naturally ambidextrous, that weak hand holding a knife is asking for an accident.

Al