what was your worse mistake in carving

[carverswoodshop]

hi folks, i wanted beginners to know that we all made mistakes in carving at some point, and some are bigger than others,, lol mine was carving a santa from a block and looking at one day i notice the legs and feet were to the side and not out in front, lol i finished him anyway, and sold it, someone had a one of a kind lol
it made me laugh, that was the only one out of all my santas that had a big mistake, so what was your biggest mistake? and i just wanted you to know that i was in a rush with that santa, trying to get a few more done for christmas, this was about 5 years ago,,, so take heart if you make a mistake just keep on carving , happy carving, everyone

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[Gergie]

I'm sure my worst hasn't happened yet.

But awhile back I was on my 30th hour of carving a buffalo and sliced the foot off. Very frustrating.

I have had so many painting mistakes on my carvings I can't count them all. But in most cases you can fix your mess ups.

But it's best to just keep plugging away.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I was working on a bear and took to much wood off in the front neck area, my wife said it made him look like a cow ?? I still finished him up, and learned from my mistake.

Dave

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Arleen, another mistake was buying carving tools that were dull and not quality. Not knowing any better I thought it was something I was doing wrong. For all new carvers I tell them buy the best tool you possibly can, and don't buy sets to avoid buying a bunch of tools and only using some. If they have to buy one at a time, as needed and as money allows.

Dave

[RUssL.]

Not finishing one project before starting another! ;-)

Russ

[susieq]

when cutting a blank from one of my own patterns/sketches, not leaving enough wood for certain details.... you can always take more off, but it's not easy to add wood back on where you need it.

Also, keep your blade or bit, out in front of anything that bleeds....got myself again with a typhoon bit on Friday. By now, you'd think I would have learned....

[Nancy-G]

One of my witches has two right hands.

[mdallensr]

I prepared a carving blank of a pierced-relief, mahogany, mirror frame. A lot of elaborate band saw work, then cutting out the blind holes with my scroll saw. Kept wondering why I was burning my blades... Finally got it ready to carve and took a gouge to it which literally bounced off. Now really confused and irritated. Go back out to my shop and find the rest of the "mahogany" board and note it is really jatoba - hard as nails and suitable for stair treads, tank armor, space shuttle ablative tiles, etc. Cheerfully start over with real mahogany. Mike

[aulddiy]

I've made many but one sticks out. Took a bit of wood among a heap my friend gave me. Put it to the circular saw, it cut then stopped cutting. Never daunted tried again and sparks flew out. A dammed great bolt in what had been a joint. The blade still needs replacing.

[Donsexton]

I often carve things from my own sketches I will look at pictures on google images and make a sketch from pictures I like. I can get things out of proportion when I put my own artistic stank on it. Then when I start to carve I can see the thing is slightly off but my minds eye still wants to follow the sketch. At times this is not a bad thing and at times it is. My high school art teacher told me many years ago don't look at another artist work as a reference guide use an actual picture or photo of your subject. I never took that advice and its too late for me I got to use my own sketch.