[MichelleOH]

Hi, everyone! I have always loved the feel and smell of wood and have wanted to work with it for a very long time. Since I don't have the space or money for a large wood shop, I have decided carving is the way to go.

I am ordering a beginner's kit from Little Shaver's later today (can anyone tell me what size tools comes in the kit? The website doesn't really make it clear) and have already purchased a couple sticks of basswood. Now if I can just figure out how to keep my tools sharp, I'll soon be ready to start carving. (I hope I can make more than wood dust and ruined $3 sticks of basswood.) Oh, I also want to pickup a small vise at some point.

I live in the Dayton, Ohio area and found out there's a show this weekend...I'm hoping to make it over Saturday. Sunday is the day I would really like to go for the tool sharpening demo, but my Sundays are booked with football through December.

I collect what I call "stick" Santas (tall and pointed, bell shaped), so they are my main interest at this point.

[wood-whittler]

michelle,


the show at dayton would be a great to start alot of carvers there with alot of different styles,there are alot of books on carving santas, tom wolfe has a good one on carving santa ornaments, as do alot of others,also you may be able to get by with just a strop for know because your tools will come extra sharp, you may also be able to hook up with the local club there and be able to find some help there also, hope this helps if you have any questions just hollar, we have alot of talent on this board, oh and the tool sizes in the beginner kit will be just right for ornaments and such.

bart

[Mottles]

WELCOME, MichelleOH send www.littleshavers.com an email an ask them what size. Their great folks and will reply promptly! Basswood is a wonderful wood to start with--it's smooth and cuts really nice.
Kathy

[MichelleOH]

Thanks Bart & Kathy! I ordered my kit today...can't wait!

[Tom H]

Welcome to the forum. One piece of advice if you are concerned about sharpening the tools, and keeping them sharpened. Get a medium sized jar with a lid on it. Start putting change into the jar to save. If I am not mistaken, if you buy the tools from Rick at Little Shavers he'll sharpen them free for you. You just have to pay the postage. That's what the jar is for...

Tom H

[Eddy Smiles]

Greetings Michelle! carving!

[MichelleOH]

Thanks, Tom & Eddy! I will be happy to send my tools back to Rick for sharpening, but I would like to learn how to do it myself eventually. Not for the cost of postage, but so I'm not without tools for a week and a half.

I would love to see detailed pictures of before and after sharpening if they are here...I can't seem to find them.

[mdallensr]

Welcome to the board from another Ohio carver. Try to get to the Dayton show. They have a big vendor area with lots of goodies for sale, including some of the best basswood in the country if Heineckes are there. http://www.heineckewood.com/ If you get connected with their club, which meets monthly, you'll find carvers with all of the equipment and knowledge you need to get started. They can show you some cheap and easy ways to keep your tools sharp, and you'll always have Rick at Lil' Shavers to sharpen your really dull tools for you. They have a book and video library that is invaluable for beginners; how-to books, patterns, video instruction, etc. You're in a hot bed of carving here in Ohio; take advantage of the local resources and you'll meet some really friendly folks. Mike

[Mark N. Akers]

Great to have you geting started in woodcarving,and yes the show at Dayton is awsome,hope you enjoy it.

[MichelleOH]

Hi, Mike, and thanks! I hesitate to get involved in the club because we are planning to move to the Chillicothe area once we get the house on the market and sold. Of course, that could be another year with the real estate market as it is. I will try to make it to the show Saturday...just for the wood.