[phil]

Hi,
I am new to wood carving and am in the Finger Lakes NY region. So far I have a beginner's set of long handled chisels and a cutting knife from Flex Cut. First question I have is should I invest in a set of different knives or can I carve with what I already have? My next question is about wood. I have a large woodlot which has basswood and aspen growing on it along with other species of trees. Is there any difference between the aspen grown here and the aspen grown in the western states? I am planning on getting a supply of basswood and aspen from the woodlot and air drying it for future use. I have one large standing basswood that died last year and want to do something with it.
This looks like a great forum.

[Irishman]

Hello Phil, and welcome.
Your very fortunate to have all that wood available to you. I recall when I first started, I had five primary tools and one detail knife. I purchased more since but find that I can get away quite well with just the initial set. One for doing the stop cut, several gouges, a V tool, and a mallet. When I was taking the course a few years back, our instructor would only use one or two tools no matter what was being worked on.
Hope you enjoy the site.

Patrick

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Hello and welcome...and no you will never be able to carve withjust one knife, you need at least 49 knives and 37 chisels of different sizes....LOL at least thats what the rest of us seem to believe ha ha.....grab some patterns, carving magazine, books etc and try using what you have and as you read along you will figure out what else you need......remember, you can never have enough tools

[Bob_in_TN]

Welcome Phil, I think you'll enjoy your stay while on this board. Ask questions, someone will answer. Yes, you can carve with what you have for tools, BUT here's a warning, you will buy more. Most carvers are tool collectors, now you've been warned!
You're from a beautiful part of our country, use to travel through the Finger Lakes area back in the late 60's, early 70's.
Bob

[Mitchell]

I have a BUNCH of knives. Last night I pulled out one of the first knives that I bought for carving - works just as well (maybe even better) than most of the more recent ones....

Learn to sharpen the one you have now and it should serve you well.

I don't use the first set of gouges that I purchased very often. They are "intermediate" sized tools and a bit large for what I routinely carve. I have a set of Pfiel palm tools that I really like but only use a few. How does that relate to your question??? -- Again I'd recommend that you learn to sharpen the one's that you have and purchase one or two more after you really learn what you like in the tools that you have.

[feb]

Try what you have for know, When you decide what you want to carve then you can adjust to bigger or smaller tools. That doesn't get you off the hook. Your gonna spend LOL ! feb

[phil]

Wow I sure received replies fast. I guess I can make do with the tools I have for a week or two. When reading some of the posts on this forum I came across th information on the 5 minute owl pattern but it is no longer online. Does anyone have the pattern?
Thanks for all the help.

[AlArchie]

Yep, PM me with your email addy and I'll get it off to you later today....gotta dig it outa my shop "supplies". And that AIN"T organized!

Al

[AlArchie]

OK, Phil, it's in the mail....wouldn't goout on email, so have to do it the slow way.

Al

[phil]

Thanks Al.