Traditional or power?

[Doug Ridley]

How many of you do both traditional carving using knives and chisels and also do power carving using nothing but power tools? Do you sometimes combine the two on the same carving?

[Alice in Wonderland]

hi there
do to problems with my hands I use only powertools except for the last sanding or pickings, from the big guys to the smallest one I have them all.
Alice

[squbrigg]

Hi Doug,

I use power to shape out/rough out a carving, and then do the detail stuff my edged tools. I use to use edged tools exclusively, but until accident robbed me of my strength and endurance, and my bride suggested trying a power carver. So now I compromise. I often use the power carver now to do some extremely fine carvings, like the scroll work or fine carved work on one of my ship models. You can achieve some spectacular results with it, much finer than edged tools....even the micro carving tools.

Bob

[Clifford_Parker]

I own both a Ryobi and a Dremel and a box full of bits but do all of my carving by hand. I tried caving with the Dremel and disliked it except for cleaning out the diamonds on diamond willow and working with antler for cane handles.

[justanick]

Until recently I used hand carving tools exclusively. However my wife bought me a new toy!
Its a foreman power carver, Oh boy what fun it is!Talking Now I can do my roughouts much quicker and get to the detail that I enjoy so much.
Now if only I can get past this carvers block(pun) and get carving again I'll be happy.

[Hugh]

I use power tools almost exclusively. Although since being a member of this site, I have been trying the hand tools. My wife is buying me a couple good knives for Christmas. I'm looking forward to the challenge. One of my carving students has been knife carving for years, and he has been showing me some of the Christmas ornaments he hand carves. I have done three so far, but to be honest, I used the power tools to finish. But if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. LOL. I sincerely admire the talent and knowledge it takes to use knives and chisels.
Justanick, carvers block is for different reasons, I might suggest that you might try showing someone else how to carve. It works for me. At one time I would only carve one project at a time, now since I started teaching power carving, I have four projects on the go at one time, and I like it. All kinds of projects in mind to start when I hopefully get these finished.

[jax]

Doug,

I use the traditional tools to start and switch to the dremel to knock off the rough spots........but it depends what your carving. If you have a deadline to meet, power is the way to go.

Jax.

[R-OLDS]

I do mostly traditional carving, I feel as if I have MUCH more control over where the tool goes. I have done quite a bit of power carving as I have taken at least 5 different classes using power. I have two hanging power tools (fordom knock offs) and one battery powered dremel. I some times clean up a carving using small diamond bits in my battery powered dremel. I have many hand tools as I have had a tool JONES most of my adult life..

randal

[wade clark]

I use everything! From chainsaw to gouge. I love the Lancelot carvers. I love the Foredom. I especially love my Ashley Iles gouges and chisels, and the knives Rick at Littleshavers made me!
A lot of it comes down to removing wood. Power is a great way to do that. I prefer hand tools when it comes to detail and finishing.
If I could do it better with my teeth i'd use them...my dentist would love that!
Wade

[dart]

I have Dremel tools and bits but use the traditional tools. I like to see the wood spiral off the carving. I am allergic to dust, so the power tools don't get used. I am going to make a box with a fan in it to catch the dust from the power tools. There is nothing like a sharp carving tools and a good piece of wood to use the carving tools on.