Relief Carving Tool Question

[kai_gold]

I posted this in the beginner section a couple of days ago and still no response so I will try asking here.

I have found several threads on this forum that have been helpful with answering questions about gouges, but I have not been able to find some specifics on flat chisels for carving for deeper reliefs as well as some norwegian style acanthus.

I have read that flat chisels can work well for rounding the outside curves of objects and leaves without leaving the gouge marks.

Question 1) For this specific function, do you prefer a normal bench chisel or one similar to the pfeil #1?

Question 2) If you prefer a pfeil #1, do you prefer the single bevel or the double bevel?

The single bevel versus double bevel is of particular interest.

Thanks,
James

[Donsexton]

As I told you in your other post the macaroni tool is designed for that not modified. Skews are designed to clean inside corners. Bent tools are designed to carve in relief a bent tool can do every thing a straight tool can, but a straight tool can't make the same cuts a bent tool can in relief.

[kai_gold]

I am confused. No one has responded to my other post. Perhaps you have responded to the wrong post as your answer seems directed to a different question?

[pallin]

Relief carvers often avoid straight edged tools because the corners tend to dig in. A standard bench chisel would have this tendency and it may have too steep a bevel because it is designed for cutting mortises, etc. A Pfeil #1 skew might be best for the outside curves or leaves you describe, but each woodcarver learns to use gouges in their own way, so it is difficult for me to tell you which tool you should use for your project. I normally use Pfeil #2 and #3 gouges for "flat" cuts.

[Thor]

Hi there.
I love carving relief, and I am so intriqued with acanthus leaves that I went to Wisconsin from Georgia to take a class in the Norsk Studios...Norsk Wood Works -- Norwegian Wood Carvers and Carving Woods

I already carved a lot before I went there, but I could never "get" the acanthus leaves and all of it's complex curved and planes. I learned more in a workshop up there than I could ever have taught myself, but one of the "aha" moments was learning how many ways to use a good sized skew. That tool is so important it's amazing to get the flat angle next to a convex angle in a carving, that it was my key to getting it done.

You will need gouges, and V tools as well, size will vary with the size of the carving and curves. Since you are beginning, a pheil size 5 or 7 will help a lot, but a wide 2 is used a lot too. You might as well get used to always needing another tool....
To answer your question about the double beveled straight as opposed to the flat sided chisel, go with the double sided.
Acanthus leaves are all about clean walls....and beautiful lines.
It is a very disciplined style of carving, but also has many lessons in it to apply to other styles.
I would start with a circle, and then bowl out the center. Learing how to curve through a grain direction change is great practice for any relief carver, and especially for acanthus leaves.
I hope you'll show us your progress, and good luck.
Christina

[kai_gold]

Phil,
Thanks for the reply and skew suggestion.

Christina,

I stumbled on that website a couple of days ago and also found a dvd by Rolf Taraldset on another site that I ordered, so that is definitely the style I am interested in. I recently bought a 5/8, 5/12, 7/6 and a couple other smaller gouges and am looking to add a 8/10, 9/10 and a skew soon. When you say a wide skew, would a double bevel 16mm be a good size or wider still?

I hope to start the clock project soon, I just started my first carving and want to finish it up before trying the acanthus. It is the relief carving pattern of the boat and house in David Bennett's book.

I am still roughing it out.

[Thor]

Hi Kai gold,
I had to copy the numbers down of my skews, and then decided to go ahead and photograph them instead. I am a big believer in the skew.
The two pheil skew tools that I have are 1S/14 and 1S/8 big difference between the two and I use them both all the time.
The other two tools pictured and what I call rocking skews. I don't know what they are really called. I had the small one, that I bought from a carving show..it is handmade, and I showed it to a good friend who makes a lot of his tools. The next time I saw him, he had made himself one similar to it, but it was HUGE.....about 2 1/2 feet long including the handle, and he had made a beautiful leather sheath for it with decorative beads and everything. So, I fussed, and remarked that I wanted one.
The next time I saw him, he had made one for me too, only a bit smaller. It is the large one pictured to the far right. I love it. I use it for slight wide angles on relief carvings a lot. The entire edge is sharp including the short part on the back side. The point at the top is handy to as it has a razor point.
I hope I helped answer your question.
Christina

[kai_gold]

Christina,
Thanks for the picture of the tools and getting back to me with the sizes. I have just ordered a skew to try out. Are you sure that last one is a carving tool. Kind of looks like something to scare off would-be carving tool thieves. j/k. It does look useful.

--James

[Thor]

Awesome isn't it? It has become one of my favorites.

[Donsexton]

Except for the part where I mistakenly told you to listen to advice from another post. Sorry about that at times new carvers will ask the same question in different posts. The tools that I told you were perfectly designed to create relief carvings are still valid.