[Merle Rice]

Hey Folks; Didn't feel like carving today, but wanted to do some Tinkering. I woundered why I (we) have favorite carving tools. My reasoning for myself is ; the way it functions( not correctly sharpened), but felt it was. Going back over my not popular tools I found ,( with an open mind) some overlooked details, and spent my morning relaxing sharpening my tools again. They seem to cut better but will find out when they are called upon to perform again and see if they can be called my favorite tools. If not I will take another morning to Tinker with my tools. Now I feel like carving after lunch. Try it Folks you'll like it.
Merle

[Lynn O. Doughty]

I'm down today too Merle. It's raining, we've got a sick horse down in the barn, a new one who won't cooperate with us and I havent touched my tools for the past two weeks. Yesterday I was totally disgusted. Today is better...at least it's raining and we sure need that. Got some ideas floating around inside the noggin but unfortunatley need someone to boot me in the behind to get me out of my funk! However, don't drive over to oblige me as I'm sure my wife will kick me out of the house soon enough!!

Old Reliable will probably always be my favorite tool. No doubt because it's always sharp. It's a lot easier for me to chuck in a new blade and run it over the strop a couple of times than to get out the stone and work to get the angle right. I really envy those who seem to be able to keep a real good edge on their tools.

[Irish]

I think Merle that what is so important to me is how a tool fits and fills my hand. Because carving for so many generations has been a man's craft few tools are truly sized specifically to fit a woman's hand.

A gal's hand is not just a smaller version of a man's hand. Our bone structure is different in proportion to the hand length and our fingers tend to be both longer and narrower then a man's.

I have a lot of beautiful tools that are just uncomfortable to work with for any length of time because the handles are too long and too thick. That not only changes the grip for me but also the tool's balance while working.

A simple example is Dennis Moor's large chip knife, a favorite of mine that I use in place of a bench knife. A few years ago he changed his design from a rose handled tool to a man-made composite ergonomic handle. Mile loves the new handle ... raves about it! Of course he does as obliviously who ever did the mold was a man! My fingers not only don't fit the ergonomic ridges they rub nastily across them. Luckily I had a few rose handles left and snatched them up for my own personal use

Some tool company could make a small mint by creating a line of tools just to fit the gal carvers hand!

Susan

[Merle Rice]

Susan you are right about the fit and feel of the tool. Lenght of time is the key word. When you as an Artist and Pro. you must use more time to get all of your projects finished. On the other Me as a Retired Pro. of Leasure time is not relevant. When I get tired I Quit. That's nice. Some day you will understand and Love it. I have seen your name about everywhere I look in the Carving World and don't see how you have time for Carving. Keep it up I enjoy your work.
Merle

[Merle Rice]

Lynn; When you speak of OLD RELIABLE, you aren't suggesting an Exacto Knife are you. You can't be doing all those Great Carvings of yours with an Exacto Knife. ARE YOU?
Merle

[Irish]

Merle,

I very much look forward to a time when I can devote myself to just carving but that seems a long way off

I appreciate those that can just set something down and come back to it at their leasure but even then I think the fit of the tool is essential. I don't walk well in squeeky shoes that are a size and a half too big ... not for a long hike nor for a few steps.

I don't carve well with a tool that is too big to be comfortable. Not for a whole carving and not for just a few strokes. I don't have the control that I need for a clean cut, smooth stroke and expecially for safety.

As I posted earlier I have several boxes of tools, some I have purchased and some I have inherited ... and then I have my box of favoirte, alway good tools.

Susan

I don't want to walk a mile in your shoes or carve a greenman with your man sized tools

[Merle Rice]

Susan , so you don't want to walk a mile in my shoes Huh. Me neither, I couldn't walk a mile. LOL. We got Sunshine on this side of the mountain, how is it on your side?
Merle

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Merle.....Old Reliable is my trusty box knife. Available at Lowes and Home Depot for around $2.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by Merle Rice

Lynn; When you speak of OLD RELIABLE, you aren't suggesting an Exacto Knife are you. You can't be doing all those Great Carvings of yours with an Exacto Knife. ARE YOU?
Merle

Its much much worse than that Merle!!!

[Merle Rice]

Lynn; Really??????? That's your most used tool? Man you are good. Ever try sharpening a Spoon. LOL.
Merle