X-acto and disposable blades

#1 03-25-2003, 08:45 AM

I have been carving for a while now. I am self-taught and carved mostly saints in a folk way. With time I grew increasingly tired of sharpening to the point I try Power carving (does not do it for me, maybe for details). Anyway Right now what I have been doing is buying X-acto blades and carving with them. Once they are dull I dispose them. Well I might try to hone them before I do so.
Do I have salvation? Is my soul lost to the lazyness of not having to sharp? I think I have never been properly trained or have enough patient shaeprning and honing.
Please Help

???

mdallensr · #2 03-25-2003, 01:42 PM

X-acto knives are standard equipment in our carving group. We use the #11 blade for a lot of detail carving, and even some rougher work in tight places. We save some of the worn blades to mix glue, etc, but we buy them by the 100's and don't even try to re-sharpen them. We usually snap a point before they're too dull to use, so sharpening is kind of a moot point (no pun intended, of course). We all started with regular carving knives, mostly Helvies, but just about everyone added X-acto's early on. I still do most of my carving with my knife, but there's always a time and place for my X-acto, such as out-lining feathers on a song-bird.

#3 03-26-2003, 07:38 AM

When I first started carving, the only thing I had to carve with was a plain old box cutter utility razor knife. I used it for probably a year before getting a carving knife, and I really liked the way it worked. I still use it frequently for harder woods (I used it on my recent osage orange carving a lot) I strop the blades a few times before discarding them, but I don't think I have tried to sharpen them any other way. I think the razor does some things better than any carving blade I have.
Use whatever works!

Donna

#4 03-26-2003, 08:12 AM

Thanks for the advise.
I have some friend-carvers that think I am a cheater for using disposable blades but I must say X-acto Blades do work for me. I do use a carving knive for the rough start. Of the X-actoI use blades # 22,19 and 18 but the one that works the best for me is the # 2 is like #11 but wider and stronger. Well I do not feel too bad now about using disposable blades.
It is a pain having to stop carving because your knive is going dull and you have to strop it.
Hey guys please check me website...
www.santosdepalo.freeservers.com
There you can see my carvings and why I do what I do

El Santero Exiliado

masker001 · #5 03-26-2003, 12:37 PM

In regards to the use of exacto blades,all I can say is'use whatever works for you'.To me there is no right or wrong tool form.I use exacto,power,knife,chisle,whatever I need to use to get the job done to my satisfaction.I checked out your web site,fantastic work.Keep up your tradition and do honour to your saints.
Mark

#6 03-26-2003, 09:49 PM

Doel,
Those are nice carvings. Use whatever works for you. If you like carving with Exacto blades and it works good, then do it that way.

Nice web site. It looks like you spent a lot of time on it.

Callynne · #7 03-27-2003, 07:21 AM

Â* Â* Doel, welcome, it's good to have you join us!! Â*I really like your site and your Saints are great! Â*As far as 'cheating' I figure whatever it takes to get the effect you want is perfectly all right.
Â* Â* Check out the Picturetrail site www.picturetrail.com to see some of our work. Â*The member log on is carvers-R-us and the password is carve. Â*You can post pictures of your work there also. Â*Callynne Â* Â*

#8 03-31-2003, 09:57 AM

I saw you pictures Callynne
I love the santas. I have a deal for you. I would love for you to carve something for me since I like your style so much
santosdepalo@hotmail.com

#9 03-31-2003, 03:30 PM

Doel - First, let me say your work is very good and inspiring! Welcome to our little group - I'm sure we can learn alot from you.

As for X-Acto blades, I use them, too, for tiny detail work. I also use power, chisels, gouges and knives. I don't like sharpening, either - and sure don't do it much!! I do strop my chisels and gouges frequently, use the disposable x-acto blades and when I need something sharpened, I send it to someone else to do!! I'm just learning to sharpen myself.

As everyone has already said - whatever works for you is what you should use!!

Teri

Callynne · #10 04-01-2003, 07:19 AM

Â* Â* Doel, thank you for your kind words and your request for one of my carvings, I'm very flattered! Â*Due to prior committments I'm unable to take any more commissions for quite a while.
Â* Â* I will have pieces available this year through a Gallery and I will e-mail that information when I'm through here. Â*Thanks again for your compliments and request! Â*Callynne