Do any of you have advise for me? My 7 y/o son wants to start carving with me. I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I've let him whittle on a stick sometimes when we're camping, just making a point on it so we can roast marshmallows or hot dogs. He wants to try to carve something 'for real.' When have you started your kids carving? I think I'd be a nervous wreck if I put a gouge in his hands.

Any suggestions?

[woodenleg]

I started two granddaughters when they were about 10 (several years later they are no longer carving) and one of them did very well and one of them not so well. I think some of it is an individual matter depending on apptitude, but 7 sure sounds young, doesn't it.

I do remember, however, that many years ago we all had knives and whittled on sticks, etc. I think if you selected the right project and used only a knife and demanded use of a carving glove and thumb/finger guards, it could work. However, I would do it sometime when you can devote your attention to monitoring how well he is doing rather than when you are carving. What is the worst he can do under your supervision?

There's a soap carving book out that would be a good starting point for a child that age. It's not wood, but it would give him/her a good starting reference. It would definitely be safer. I would suggest close supervision, not for the obvious, but to keep them interested by showing support. It would be important to stress good techniques as this will lead to safer carving when REAL tools get into their hands later. The hardest part would be selling them on carving soap when you carve wood!

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

the soap carving idea with mitchell is a very good one, and I would take it a step further...take an old hacksaw blade and break off a piece and make a knife blade grind off the teeth and make it just sharp enough to cut the soap and not little fingers...I think that would make a great teaching aid, with you present of course! Any mistakes that would cause a cut can be pointed out without the blood flowing!! Make a handle too, it will be a keepsake in the future, especially if they turn into serious carvers! Another idea..maybe after the soap lessons....the first real carving could be the handle on the homemade knife..!

Seven is not too young, my grandson is six and does pretty well, (three ribbons at the last show).
He has had a pocket knife since he was five.

I can give you a little warning though; once they start carving, they want to carve whenever you are.
Since you need to be attentive when they are carving, you won't get much carving done yourself.

I recommend starting them out with bark, it is softer and easier for them to carve. Usually 10 - 15 minutes and their attention has gone elsewhere.

Be sure they understand they never carve alone.

All great advice and I agree whole heartedly if they show an interest by all means pursue it. As most of you know I am raising my grandson he is now 10 years old and he loves to carve and has since he was about 6. The problem with kids is no matter what they do they dont realize the dangers so make sure that you are with them the whole time you cant take your eyes off them for a moment. My grandson has never cut himself but thats probably because I am over protective and he dosent make a cut without me reminding him where his fingers are. The only problem is that their attention span is very short so simple carvings are best. I agree with Rick bark carving is the best way to go it carves so easy and they dont have to use a lot of pressure.
Colin

Hi All,
Colin is right about attention span. I do not have my own kids but I am uncle to 34 (36 by the end of the year) and uncle in spirit to about a dozen neighbor kids. As most of you are I am a tool junkie woodworking and lawn/garden. The kids hear me crank something up and they come to see what I am working on. They come to the garage when I am carving I let them carve thier initials in some with a mallet and gouge. I figure that will not put thier hands in the way of the tool and they have something to take home. I have started to cut out scraps to make things to have ready for these visit like wood swords, sign boards, etc. A few minutes with the mallet they are happy and off they go. Just my two cents worth.
Ah Chip

[Kenny_S]

I use Ivory soap for the Cub Scouts and yes you have to watch them closely. Amazing what they do witha bar of soap. Mostly the made little soap chips. Once in a while I had one who would follow directions and had something he could be proud of. Rick in Settle had a good idea with the bark.
I found if they couldn't stay interested in carving soap, they probably wouldn't in wood.

Now the Boy Scouts Wood Carving merit Badge was a different matter and the paid a lot more attention.

I am 52 and was raised in a small town in Ga. I had my first knife when I was 5 or 6, a cheap Barlow. Used to pry the bark off of pine trees and carve little boats and float them in the creek. Was using a Coping saw by 8 and a jig saw by nine. Continued to make and carve until I was 16 then did not carve anymore til July of this year when I became unable to work. I think a knife would be ok as long as you watched. Be sure your son wears a glove and finger guards. Start with small projects. starrt with soap then bark then basswood. Knife should be sharp but not razor sharp. Gradually work up to sharper knives and gouges.
Keep in mind your son's age and do not be critical of his work. Remember that everytime he does something the better he will become. If he stays interested, he might be the world's best carver by the time he is 21.

[macktruck]

My Oldest grandson is coming up on 12. He's been carving since he was about 8-9. Nothing to serious. mostly I have him do most of the general shaping with a rasp. He has made a spoon out of cherry for my daughter that has three hearts on the handle.
He has knives that I've given him that I've dulled the blades. I have two Case xchangers. One of which is his but i keep it. I've told him he can keep it after thanksgiving '04.
As long as you're there when they carve to keep them aware of where thier fingers are it's fun.
He knows how to use a scroll saw( I'm keeping off the band saw.) to make cut-outs.
What he really likes though is the dremel. I make sure he wears his safety glasses and let him have at it.
It's good' quality time' to use todays lingo.
mack