Left Handed Carvers

[Mitchell]

I need a little advice.....

I have been helping a teenager to learn some basic carving. He is left handed and I have had a few problems showing him all the proper techniques - being that I am right handed.

My attempts to carve left handed to show him a few things were awkward. I thought about a mirror, but I'm not too sure how that would work.

Anybody have any ideas?

[Jerry_K]

Mitchell,

I am left-handed. I have experienced what all left-handers do - most "things" are made with right-handers in mind. I think that it gives left-handers a better ability to adapt to what right handers are doing compared to how right-handers would adapt to left-handers. I believe that your young friend can make the switch in his mind. Any one-on-one carving training that I have had has been given by right-handers without any attempt to remake it for left-hand. Maybe i'm wrong, but I think that he can make the transition.

[bbowers]

I'm left handed and agree that he should be able to adapt. I actually use both hands, which really throws off a right handed person - just means I wear two carving gloves! You trying to adapt to him may make it more ackward than simply allowing him to watch & then adapt on his own - he's used to it I'm sure.
Good luck-
Barry

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

If the tables were reversed and I were taking a class from a lefty, it wouldn't matter, I would just do what I do and copy his lead...don't really think its an issue.....

[AlArchie]

Seems to me that the only difference is which side gets workewd on first......shouldn't be a problem!

Al

[jamesfa]

you mentioned using a mirror-when your teaching if you sit face to face it might help.

i am righthanded but play golf lefthanded when taking lessons i always stayed directly in front of instructor.(mirror image)by the way i am not a golfer but do fine plowing up fields

Frank

[Shimmy]

I had a cd of Wayne Bartons Chip carving and was having a problem following it as he did it. until I relized that he is lefthanded.

[Clifford_Parker]

As some of the others have said, we lefties are used to turning things "the right way" in our heads and most often are ambidexterous because of it. I too would have to wear two carving gloves because I switch hands depending on the direction of the grain and cut I am making.

[big_Wayne_P]

I am right handed
He should have no problem picking it up
and doing it left handed

I am somewhat ambidexterous
was left handed as a child
broke my left arm just as school started in first grade
I then learned to write and do everything right handed
I can do fair with the knife in my left hand
I can even print a little left handed although not very good because i have not practiced doing it for years

[BasketballJones]

Us southpaws have little trouble adjusting, we have more trouble adjusting to things in a sequential motion such as tieing knots when taught by a righty.

We also don't seem to be able to learn how to put icons in messages.