Long or short handles?

[Marci MN]

How do I know if I want long or short handled gouges? All I have right now is Ricks beginners set. The micro U gauges, and one small V tool. I want to get into relief carving and would like more tools. The relief style I'm looking twards is like Thors and Mary Shelly's style but my own ideas. I have a head and drawing book full. LOL

Mary Michael Shelley Folk Art Americana

Is the carving they do considered 'shallow relief'?

Also, what thickness of wood would I need to be looking at for this kind of relief carving?

Thank you for having patience with my novice questions.

Marcia.

[Thor]

Hi Marci,
Geez, surprised to see my name mentioned. thanks for that.

I use long handled mallet tools, because I use a mallet. Then, I use two hands on the tool to carve details. I also stand up while I carve.

I agree with most that the choice of tools is very personal. When I first started, I had palm tools from Sears that were 30 years old...mine from when I was young. I used them for about a year, and then invested in my dream set of pheil swiss made tools. They made a HUGE difference in my carvings immediately. I had more control, carved large carvings much faster, and found multiple uses for each tool.

Again, personal choice. I would recommend that you try some, perhaps at a carving club or make a purchase of a very few to see how they feel to you.

Good luck and let us see your progress.
Christina

[Marci MN]

Hi Thor, I am in love with the carvings you do. Is it considered shallow relief? I've spent hours on Google images.. looking and trying to understand relief carving.

I dont have much of an opportunity to go to a club around my area. This is all 'homestudy'.. LOL And will definately come under the topic of 'folk art'. This folk person is all self taught. Well..with the exception of WCI folks who help me along in learning.

If I cannot do stand up carving.. would I consider using short handled tools instead? I'm disabled with a bad back..so leaning over and carving just might not work for me all the time.

I'm not sure on what sizes of carvings I'll do, but some will be done on logs I have laying around here.

Do you have a link I can follow to look at that brand of carving tools?

oh..and one more question. You mention white pine alot in your carving descriptions.. is it ok to ask where you invest in white pine? I looked at one of my local lumbaryards, and most of the pine boards had some red streaking going through it.. and just called 'standard pine boards'... is this the same thing?

Thanks so much Thor.

[Thor]

Hi again Marci,

I use white pine that I can buy from the big box stores. They frequently call it white wood, or shelving boards. They really hate to see me coming, because I take apart their entire rack of boards (I always put it back) looking for the clearest and straightest boards that I can find. It carves well, is easy to come by and reasonably priced. Found wood is always good too.

The tools I have are available through KMS Tools in Canada (www.kmstools.com) or through Woodcraft stores. KMS is less expensive and I like dealing with them.

Sitting while carving will definitely be a factor in tool choice. The shorter handles may feel more under control for you, but I'm not sure. I do stand while carving.

Also consider Heineke for basswood. They are terrific to work with, and the wood is clear and easily carved. The basswood holds details very well.

Stay away from yellow pine. It is terrible to carve in my opinion.

Hope this helps.
Christina

[Marci MN]

Thank you Christina, I went to that site to see the tools. I"d have to save up for awhile for a set like that.

I'm going to do some checking at another box store lumber and see what I can find there. I do appreciate you telling me where to look for woods. My hubby does that too.. hauls them all out of the piles (2x2's) to find the good ones.



I pulled out that beginners set from Rick today.. found a piece of old wood, scribbled a bird on it and played. It was fun...but oh boy.. my forearms sure do feel sore tonight. LOL I can see I need alot to learn. Including sharpening. I was following Irish's tuturials , she sure makes it look easy.

Thanks again Christina, I may be back later with more questions once I find my supplies.

Marcia.

[squbrigg]

Marci.... don't worry about the tool length too much. If you buy long handled tools, you can always cut off the original handle and make your own. I have done this with many tools, and suffer from back problems as well, so I feel more comfortable making my own handles. Something that works for me. Getting the right shaped tool blade is more important to me, and I find Pfeil tools fit the bill, then shorten the shaft when I put new handles on.

Bob

[Paul_Guraedy]

Marci, as Thor said, stay away from that construction pine. I almost stopped carving with my first decoy because of that wood. White pine is great though.

Also, don't buy sets of tools (except beginner sets). You almost always end up with tools that you do not use. KMS is an excellent outfit to deal with for the Swiss Made tools (Pfeil) and, as Squarebriggs stated, they fit the bill. I have not had any problem having them shipped into the U.S. Just order a few at a time and you will end up with.....well more tools than you really need....but those that you want.

[Marci MN]

Thank you Bob and Paul for your input. I'm now on a mission to earn enough money
to purchase tools. Being on a fixed income it will take awhile. But I am determined.

In about a week I'll go check on a bigger lumber yard for white pine. If anything I can practice on that with Ricks set I have.

Thank you again. I may be back later down the line with more questions.

Marcia.

[Veen]

Marci
I can second and third the opinion that it is far better to buy a few good quality tools than to have a bunch of cheaper ones. If you go to woodcraft they will probably let you try out a few pfiel brand in the store. I prefer the full size tools as they give me more control. My old tools just lay around now.