[rick-in-seattle]

No, I cannot remember my first carving or even the first dozen carvings.
But, there are some that stand out in my memory; not because of their quality, but because of who they were made for.

There was a huge mahogany chain with 6 inch links that I made for my sister when I was about fourteen. (She still has it)

One Christmas Dad/Santa gave me a Dremel scroll saw; I was on cloud nine.
I told him the quality of my work would improve dramatically.
(I still believed that finding the right tools would make me a better carver)

My Dad was a welder; so I carved a pierced relief of him in his leathers and hood welding a bridge beam. It was pretty square as carvings go, but he was really proud of it.

After he died in '93 I carved a 10 inch figure of him for my Mother, luckly I had improved a little by then.

[Anthony Filetti]

I am fortunate in that I have pictures of every carving I have done and the gifts we give to loved ones are cherished (no matter how square). My first carving happened to be pair of bookends where there was a carved train engine and caboose (one on each end) where the upright pieces were the ends of a tunnel. My carving skills have improved dramatically since, but I still get a lot of satisfaction looking at this piece (posessed by my parents). And yes, I do have a Tom Wolfe Civil War soldier, don't we all (I guess that shows his popularity!).

Great thread Rick, can't wait to read others replies.

[Smokey]

It sure is good to remember those old carvings, some of which you may have forgotten. It was great to be hiking along a trail in the Wayne National Forest last summer and see a young college age woman carrying a hiking stick, and realizing that I had carved it about 10 years ago. I ask the woman how she came by such a stick. She said that it was her grandfathers and he used it until his death a few years ago. She said that she cherished it and would never part with it because he was so fond of it. I told her that I knew her grandfather and that I had carved the stick for him. Wow , what a hug from that kid.

[Nancy_G]

Rick -- I not only remember but I still have my very first carving.
And I still believe that my carving will improve if if find the right tool.

Smokey - that's a great story.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

All of my "firsts" were toys, whistles, etc. that I did so I'd have something to play with when I was a kid. Thinking about it now, I guess the ulitimate toy was my pocket knife because I could make my other toys with it. I guess my first serious attempt at something was doing some inlays in the stock of my .22. Favorites (and best) are the ones I do as gifts, probably because those are the ones that you really have some feelings for and take the time and effort to express them. The rest tend to be treated as just practice pieces. But I tend to be short on patience anyway (the wife says I don't have any). The dog sees me pick up a tool and he heads for parts unknown, guess that's why he's survived 14 years.

[Ky_Whittler]

Like ED my first were toys. The ones I remember most now are those given away. Mostly canes to those who really needed them.And a pine box derby car for a kid that didn't have a dad around. These things will be cherished in my memories til they put me under. Whittler

[Mike_B]

My first carvings were canoes, boats and willow whistles when I was 6 in 1945.
The first carving as an adult was 2 years ago Christmas when I did a Santa from one of the carving books. It took another year before I started doing some practice boards. Been having fun with a little relief carving and discovered that I really like chip carving and Kolrosing.
Have found some quilt patterns that I think will come out real pretty by using chip carving and kolrosing.
Really having trouble getting my tools sharpand may have to give up and send them to Rick.

[Mike-in-WV]

If I remember right my very first was a pair of pliers when I was a small fry. My Dad showed me how to carve that one and I was really proud of it.
Then there was a few bear and deer that looked everything else but a bear or deer,Lol.
About 15 years ago I carved a couple of stocks for two muzzle loaders I built from scratch and then a cane for my brother who just had knee sugery at that time. Then a cane for my sisiter with the head of her black lab on top.
Then nothing for awhile and about two years ago got serious about wood spirit staffs to sell and now I'm venturing into caricature carving. Mike

[rick-in-seattle]

Dang Smokey,

You brought a tear to my eye.

[Jerry_K]

My first carving is a santa. All in all, he looks like a cylinder with a flat face and a beard.