Hello and some questions.

bulldog · #11 02-28-2007, 04:37 PM

you most certainly can use what you have. Learn to sharpen and strop, IT"S IMPORTANT ! Start with some simpler projects till you get the feel of how your tools work the wood, it's a lot less frustrating than doing a project beyond your capabilities. Your expertise will develope with practice. I'm not knowlegible about cutting and curing wood, but there are folks on this site that posses a wealth of know how. This is a great site for info. glad to have you here
Keep Barkin

phil · #12 02-28-2007, 04:43 PM

Yes I am starting simple. I looked through some of the photo galleries on this forum and am very impressed at the work some carvers here can do. Glad to meet you here on the forum.

Eddy Smiles · #13 02-28-2007, 10:09 PM

Like all the rest of the guys, most of us started exactly as you with a knife and a couple of gouges. I've found that the best way to buy tools is to get them as you need them. In this way you don't end up with a bunch of chisel looking things that you can't identify and will probably never use. With this said most comapnies do sell basic started sets which contain the very basics. Just be careful that you don't buy too cheap and that being a beginner, the tools that you do buy come pre-sharpened. You get pick up cheap sets at Michaels, JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, Wal-mart and even Home Depot but you'll play hell moving any wood because they are either too dull or ground at the wrong angle. I would love to have a set of Japanese carving tools but my "beer budget pocketbook" limits me to Flexcut, still not a bad choice. I'm still building my collection and I just make it a habit when visiting a Woodcraft Store or carving shop like the Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers not to leave without buying a tool. It doesn't take long for the collection to grow.

What the guys said about sharpening is right on. Check out the various free tutorials on tools sharpening on the internet, pick up a good stone and strop and spend a day working on your sharpening and stropping skills. It will be the best carving time that you'll ever invest in.

One of the guys asked about the 5-minute owl pattern. Here it is! It may not be readable given the size allowed by this forum. If anyone wants it I will send it full size by email. Just send me your regular email address and I'll get it out to you.

phil · #14 03-01-2007, 10:40 AM

Thanks Eddy. Your information is appreciated. I can see what will happen to me as far as carving tools are concerned if I give in to myself. My fishing interest has caused me to aquire more lures than I will ever need.

Eddy Smiles · #15 03-01-2007, 04:28 PM

Fish'in is a horse of a totally different color! You can never have enough lures! That's just the basic rule of fishing itself!

GeorgiaCarver · #16 03-01-2007, 07:17 PM

Welcome aboard, I am with Hi-Ho.... lot's of hand tools then branch out to a foredome and be sure to get a couple of grinders, dustcollector, power stroping wheel and once proficent and you have extra time a couple of chainsaws for carving.... and......

Start with what you have and pray you don't get addicted

Greg