Basswood Anniversary Plate

I have a goal for 2005 to learn more about chip carving and to chip carve ourselves an anniversary plate.

What chip carving tools will I need to get to complete this piece, presently I have none and want to purchase the tools required.

Also, any goods instructional books dealing with chip carving plates would be nice to get too.

I will practice prior to actually carving the plate, but need the above direction because all I have is the standard carving tools.

Thanks Coffeeman

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Wayne Barton's book "Chip Carving Basics and Techniques " is a good one, just do what he says, awkward or not and pretty soon it is second nature, Pam Gresham also has a pretty good book called "Basic Chip Carving" Probably lots out there if you want to do a search..other than that, you have your sharpening stuff and strop so you just need a good chip carving knife and stab knife...."Chipping Away" has them, Dennis Moore came out with his version and I have one, its a really good knife, Wayne Barton has one too and Woodcraft sells those, his book and a kit. Thats a good beginning..and afterwhile you will end up with 5 or 6 chip knives, always looking for the "perfect" knife! LOL...Oh, and I have the Ott folding chip knife...but I think just starting you should stay with Dennis Moores knife or Wayne Bartons....imho Dave

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

The Dennis Moore knife is the one to get. The older version with the wooden handle. The design is such that it is easy to maintain the correct blade angle, which is the main trick to chip carving. There are two sizes, a large and a small. Pick the one that fits your hand, the function is the same for them, fit is the only difference. A stab, or skew, knife is required for those nice decorative bits, like accents in the center of flowers. It really doesn't cut, just stab it into the wood and pull it out . A stop by

2carve.com

will yield some free patterns and tutorials as well as a list of tools required and suggested (very minimal).

Good luck!

[Old_Gord]

Hi Coffeeman;
Actually you will most likely find out that you only need 1 or 2 knives to do any kind of chip carving, a cutting knife and a stab knife, possibly a third knife would be the small cutting knife. There are numerous manufacturers of chip carving knives of different shapes and sizes and I guess you will have to make the decision of what and how many knives you really need after doing some research..but I really do think that a Barton or Moor cutting knife is all you really need , the stab knife really only makes one single "indentation" in the wood to provide a decorative touch tosome cuts made by the cutting knife.
Wayne Barton I think is looked upon as the grandfather of chip carving in America, Dennis Moor of Kitchener Onatario Canada is also considered as a master chip carver , another well known US chip carver is Barry McKenzie (sp).
Dennis Moor has branched out from only chip carving to provide a online woodcarving supply for all aspects of woodcarving.
So he does have a large selection for most of your needs as far as chip carving, with tools, books, instructional tapes, seminars etc.
Here's the main portal to his on-line store and the supply list url;
http://www.woodcarvingstore.com/
http://www.woodcarvingstore.com/ProductIndex.asp
Oh yes one more thing both Barton and Moor advocate using ceramic stones to sharpen their knives, two of them , another expense if you don't already have them.
Since you are on the USA/Canada border, a visit to Moor's location in Kitchener might be a possibility for you.
One more thing I should have mentioned, again because you fairly close, there is the Hamilton Wood show this January 28,29 & 30/2005 with a large carving competition at the War Plane Museum in Mount Hope and I believe Dennis Moor has been a demonstrator and vendor at this show in the past.
Here's the web url for the show;
http://www.ontario-woodshows.com/
Hope this is of some help to you.

OG

[Kenny_S]

Practice, Practice, Practice! I don't chip carve but always enjoyed the pieces that I have seen. I have tryed what the called Gouge chip carving using just 4 different gouges. Beautifull stuff. Can't remember the Gentleman's name from Springfield Mo who started it out many years ago and now teaches classes there.

Thanks guys, you've answered my question with the guidence that I was looking for. Will follow all the above advise and see how it comes out, need to finish my wolf bust first though, then I'll spend some time doing some chip carving cuts as practice. Coffeeman