New carver & forum member

I'm so glad to have found this forum. I have always been interested in wood carving, but never took up the craft until about six months ago. I bought a cheapo carving set and an Exacto carving knife with a curved replaceable blade. I've carved relief carvings for each of my four children from mostly store-bought basswood. I've had marginal success, in my opinion. I think I need better knives. Could any of you advise me as to the type of knives that work best for relief carving?

Hello and welcome jewelrybox,

I have only carved one relief but I think you should look into buying a few chisels and gouges for your work. It is much easier to remove large amounts of wood for background etc. with a chisel or gouge instead of a knife.

Gouges also work great for detail work.

I would also suggest that you check out the online tutorials and Introductory Primer To Carving at Classic Carving Patterns

http://www.carvingpatterns.com/

Good whittlin, Cliff
Charles City, Iowa
http://cliffordparker.tripod.com

In addition to the above I suggest you check out www.2carve.com. They have free tutorials on relief and chip carving complete with patterns and tool suggestions. They also have access to more stuff for a small fee (don't know what's there because I haven't paid).

[Callynne]

Hi Jewelrybox, Welcome!! I've only done one relief carving and just used what I already had, a knife and a couple gouges. They were hand held gouges, not the kind you strike with a mallet. What size relief carvings are you intenting to do? That would help determine what type of gouges you will need.
I would recommend that you just buy separate tools at first, not package deals. If you are like a lot of us, you will end up using just a few 'special' ones all the time.
You are absolutely correct, good tools will make a very big difference. And I'm sure you will get some 'real' advice from some of the carvers here more familiar with relief carving. Good luck, glad to have you with us! Callynne

Hi Jewelrybox!
I'm like Callynne, I have done relief carvings (finishing one right now) but I just used anything I had available. I actually don't even know what kind of carving knives I have beyond the fact that one of them is a flexcut. I use a razor knife a lot, gouges, rasps, files...but mostly just the knives.

I was just wondering if chip carving knives would work? Anyone know? I'd have to order them, but they sure look handy.

Donna

Hi jewelrybox. Welcome! you got some good advice here, I would recommend some chisels also. I also have a couple of flexcut knives I like (the pelican and mini-pelican) and I have several small knives but can't think of the makers name offhand. Pyro....I do some chip carving and have used the chip knife on a carving or two but just playing mostly, don't think you would gain over a good small knife. At least I don't think it would justify spending the money.....however, if you want to try your hand at chip carving, it is a lot of fun, and kind of a no brainer once your design is done, you just keep repeating the same pattern....sounds boring but I like it...simple minds are easily amused!!