need moral support

[cerndog]

I've been putting knife to wood since I was 10 years old and love the hobby. I'm married, have two young kids, a full time job and a household to support. How do you guys find the time to carve? I sometimes go weeks without setting foot in my garage/workshop. It drives me nuts! Carving really relaxes me and reminds me there is life outside of the office. I hope I don't have to wait until retirement to have the time to get better at the craft. Inspire me guys!

Thanks, Mike

[Mitchell]

(Moved from Tools and Sharpening)

Mike, I would suggest carving small projects - one's that don't take much time - as a way to get a little carving in AND see some results. An example would be santa ornaments.

I have (in the past) gone months without carving due to "outside" responsibilities. I have gradually been able to spend more time carving. I do carve LOTS of small "quick" projects and would prefer to carve some larger - more complicated items. We'll get there someday.

Lastly, I use this message board as motivation!

[Ashbys]

I think I would just set an hour aside a day, small projects or blanks and make it a part of the daily chores. Personally i get more done in the early morning hours than any other time.
Set time aside for it, and maintain it. One hour may not be much but you wil be amazed how much you can get done in that hour.

Ash

[kcwaterguy]

I am in the same boat as you. I love that I finally found a hobby at the old age of 35 as I cannot wait to look back at the piece I will have done over the years ahead.

I don't find time to do it... but being part of the Gouge Chip Carving club helps because we meet every Thursday... so at least I get 2 hours of time to enjoy. With kids it is hard because we had Tball and softball which end soon. I usually reserve most of my carving for the weekends because I can sneak out to the garage for a couple hours each day and get some done.

I know this did not help you... but just know you are not alone!!!

Sean

PS - I agree with the short/quick projects. With gouge chip carving, I can do a lot in an hours time.

[Tom-H]

Mike, Don't know if I can help ya. I've been retired so long I've forgot what real work and responsibilities are. But I agree that small carving can be very satisfying. As a matter of fact I have been tryin to improve face carving so I started carving/whittling Santa tree ornaments. It's amazing what you can get done in a very short time, and get that satifaction...Tom H

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Lets see, you have an office, you have a trash can, you take a knife and a piece of wood, your boss will not bother you when you have a knife in your hand...there! problem solved lolIce Cream Cowboy

[Tom-H]

Lets see now Hi Ho, do I have the facts right?

1. Knife at work
2. Knife concealed at some time
3. Knife in use at work station

In this time and age, how many laws might be broken? Friend has the same problem. Used to take pocket knife to work and whittle on lunch break. Now no weapons allowed, and he was informed the the knife was considered a weapon.. Yesh! What's a fellow to do? Tom H

[mbevington]

Mike,
I'm in the same boat you are in. I carve at lunchtime. I eat my lunch as fast as I can so I have more time to carve. I figure out the night before what tools i'll need for the next day and I only take the ones I need. Hope this helps you out.
Mark

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by Tom H

Lets see now Hi Ho, do I have the facts right?

1. Knife at work
2. Knife concealed at some time
3. Knife in use at work station

In this time and age, how many laws might be broken? Friend has the same problem. Used to take pocket knife to work and whittle on lunch break. Now no weapons allowed, and he was informed the the knife was considered a weapon.. Yesh! What's a fellow to do? Tom H

Go to work for a civilized company? LOCowboyL

[Ashbys]

Hey Tom,

I agree if the knife doesn't break the establish state law as a weapon that is against the law to carry, then it should not be considered a weapon.

A knife is not a weapon just because it is a knife. It is a weapon when it is intended to be used as a weapon. Which means so can a pencil, an ink pen, a computer, or anthing else that is used with intent to harm.

If someone picks up a computer and throws it at someone else then the computer became a weapon because there was intent to do harm to someone else. If someone sets in a tank infront of a courthouse to eat his lunch. The tank is not a weapon but a lunch table as there was no intent to do harm.

Without intent nothing is a weapon.

Ash