[mik1947]

My job requires that I spend a couple of weeks each month on the road and I was wondering how other traveling carvers accomodate their need to make wood chips fly. What equipment do you take with you? What kinds of projects do you do away from home? Have you run into any problems with airport security?

[wade clark]

I've been traveling a lot lately too. I have a flexcut set with several interchangable blades and a handle in a tool roll, plus flexcut's multi-tool pocketknife. I rarely use them traveling, but it's nice to have them with me...security blanket! Hopefully soon I'll slow down enough to carve here (FL) and there (TN).
I don't bring any full size tools with me, except a Lancelot power tool for roughing...great tool!
I haven't tried to get on a plane with the tools, but I believe you can check them in your luggage with no problem if you declare them...call the airport and ask for sure.
Wade

[GILLY]

Just a little whittling for me.......the maids must wonder what the heck was going on when they empty a trash can full of shavings.....

[cut up]

My wife and I don't fly, but she likes to do the driving when we travel. I get to carve. In my carving bag I usually carry my most used hand tools, a leather apron, first aid kit, and enough rough outs to last until we get home.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

You'd be amazed at what you can do with just a pocket knife if you stick to caractitures and whimmsies. Tools make it a bit easier and quicker, but a pocket knife is all your really need. Well a small stone in case you need it. You can strop on anything. Can't say about airports, I drive.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

thats true, you could take a small piece of sandpaper in case you get a knick, and you can strop on your shoe, a piece of cardboard, bondpaper almost anything! a pocketknife is very good but for a little of everything in one package, maybe the flexcut "carvin' jack" ?

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Here's a self portrait and the knife that carved him. Need to stick a cigarete in his mouth and paint him up yet. That particular knife is a Hen and Rooster whittler, but there are a lot of them out there. Henckels makes a good one as does Camillus. I'd say Case, but their prices are a bit more although not too much. Not the Seahorse, but one of their others. If the wharncliffe on the seahorse was a bit smaller it would be ok also. Heck, there's a lot of good ones. U.S. Classics is a new guy on the block and they have good knives also at real reasonable prices.

[Kenny_S]

Carry a Stanly tool box with me in the trunk and my Case pocket knife.
However, Still illegal to carry a knife on board a plane. Have to check it in with baggage. But going to Australia, you are not allowed to bring in any wood to carve. They will take it at the airport. Anyway, Brisbane customs did.

No, never got it back when leaving. Funny thing is, I have shipped ornaments to Australia with Scrapbooking supllies for our friends in Brisbane and they went through. Those Auzzies are strange people sometimes.
Planing a trip in April and plan on taking some of my tools with me and yes, you do have top declare them. This time I am going to try shipping some blanks ahead of time in the Scrapbook supplies. Those are a 10th of the cost in Australia.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

They have some fantastic wood in Australia Kenny, why not try some of the local and bring back some? (maybe even for your old friend and antagonist hi ho sliver LOL)

[mik1947]

Thanks, folks! As usual you have provided great suggestions and some things to ponder while developing a plan.