Post your best "good advice"

[sashadoc]

You can't learn anything new while you're talking.
Tim

[upcarver]

I was amazed at the variety of answers, sparked by the question. If I could draw any conclusions from the replies, it would be that carvers all have carving in common but very little when it comes to giving advice about the profession. Some good advice did surface and "safety" and "practice" seemed to stand out at the top of the good advice column. Thanks all Y'all for participating.

[thomas hritz]

A safe knife ( tool) is a sharp knife. Its not how well you do something its how well you correct your mistakes.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by upcarver

I was amazed at the variety of answers, sparked by the question. If I could draw any conclusions from the replies, it would be that carvers all have carving in common but very little when it comes to giving advice about the profession. Some good advice did surface and "safety" and "practice" seemed to stand out at the top of the good advice column. Thanks all Y'all for participating.

I'm not sure I'd be quick to draw that conclusion. I'm sure that there is a lot of agreement here. It's just that it doesn't make a lot of sense to repeat what others have said.

My advice: enjoy the process.

[STAR]

I have been taking some notes to summarize what has been said here. This is my list so far that I will put on my carving table .

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1. Practice, Practice, Practice.

2. Carve a bit. ---Strop a lot.

3. Do the difficult bits first, if it is not successful and it becomes kindling. " If it is to be done, best it be done quickly. "

4. Wash a carving with soap and water before painting. ( Have to investigate this further. )

5. After a botch up remember, it is just a piece of wood.

6.If you feel tired, stop carving. Take a break. Reappraise where you are at and then move on.

and finally so far,

Keep the Tools Sharp.

---

I will add to this list. Note: This list is just for me and where I am at the moment, I know as my carving experience develops this list will grow, but by then hopefully many of these items will not need to be on the list because they should be ingrained into my subconscious.

Pete