Stop cut - tools and techniques

[LisaS]

What tool(s) do you use for stop cuts and how do you use them?
I'm asking in the context of relief carving.

I've read different things and different reasonings.
Do you use a knife and a slicing motion?
A knife and a stabbing motion?
A chisel/gouge and a slicing motion (one corner in the wood)?
A chisel/gouge and a straight vertical stabbing motion (like clearing the corner on a mortise)?

Do you line in first with a V tool and then double back for stop cuts?

If sometimes one and sometimes another - can you articulate when you use one and when you use another technique or tool?

[pallin]

First of all, what is a stop cut and what does it do? It is a cut which limits the length of later cut(s). It is often made across the grain. Later cuts with a knife or gouge will stop at that line.
In relief carving the stop cuts can be made with either a knife or gouge. I use a knife with a slicing motion - the blade nearly vertical. If I have a chisel or gouge in my hand, I may make the stop cut with it - again nearly vertical. Some carvers may use a mallet if they want to make a deep stop cut.
Finally, stop cuts are always made BEFORE the cuts they are intended to stop.

[squbrigg]

Hi Lisa,

There is no right or wrong way of doing stop cuts, you can use what ever method you mentioned and all will work for you. As you practice, you will find a cut that works best for you and use it more often than the others. But, keep the others at the back of your mind, to be used in new or different situations that may arise.

I do a lot of relief carving and use both a stabbing motion, a rocking motion and a slice method. As I progress into a carving I will do more stabbing cuts, but almost always finish with a slicing motion to make a clean smooth final edge to the raised surface.

There is also a host of different tools that you can use to use on stop cuts, from a sharp knife to #1 gouges, bullnose tools and skew gouges. What ever works for you .

Bob