Hello from a newbie

[jessegee]

Hello , I'm very glad to have found this board, with all its helpful info etc

I am lucky enough to live in an area where there is quite a bit of cut, fallen and unwanted wood, that usually gets dragged back to my garden for display, although my hubby does wonder at my interest in some of it hehe

Looking around I have fallen in love with the beautiful carvings in found wood
I've made a few clay plaques in my time, which were definately "gift to a friend who wont laugh" quality, and thoroughly enjoyed it, so its time to have a go

I have a little budget of about £20 for tools, could anyone suggest links or posts or personal advice on what a starter tool kit should include for chiselling simple animal or rounded shapes into a chunk of birch or hazel etc?
I have a camping mallet, would that do...?

kind regards

Jessegee

[tomrsey]

Jessegee, Welcome to the board. I can't help you with tool info, but I would bet there will be those who can, and their posts are not far behind. I hope you will post pictures of your work.

[Riverman]

Hi Jessegee, welcome to the group!
Bob

[jessegee]

thank you both for your kind reply , I'm sure I will post a photo, as soon as I have something done
I am checking out tools on ebay, they do seem to have some chisel sets etc however I havent found any protective glove or thumb wear yet

I do have a rather nice chunk of wood though, a small stump with a knobble on the side that I think would be nice as a mouse

jessegee

[squbrigg]

Welcome aboard Jessegee. I do hope you enjoy the group, they can be most useful at times.

As for tools, seeing that you speak in Pounds vrs Dollars, I assume then you are from the UK. Henry Taylor has a lovely palm set of six tools that would work well for your style of carving and you will need a good basic Murphy's knife. A carving glove for your holding hand and a light leather glove for your other hand, and sharpening strop, should round off your needs. The sharpening strop is made of wood and leather and comes with a wax/chalk like substance you rub on the leather before rubbing your blades across the leather.

I'm sure the UK has online woodworking stores, save you the cost of ordering this stuff from the US and having it shipped all the way over, that is very costly. Good luck on your first carvings.

Bob

[Dan Wegiel]

Welcome aboard Jessegee. As far as tools, you'll probably get a lot of different answers on which brand to use. There's a lot of junk on ebay, thats where I bought my first tools and they won't cut butter. Just my 2 cents and happy carving.

Dan

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

welcome to the forum.

Dave

[big dave]

howdy and welcome

[jessegee]

Thanks for the kind replies everyone!
I checked out henrys, very nice, I amy have to save a bit more and get them instead of the ebay ones, I saw some in real life and figured they would stand up to much

Carving Chisels Chisels : Henry Taylor Beginners Wood Carving Tools Set

this looked like a good starting point

I have just had a double extraction, wish I'd had the tools to do it myself, and not had dry socket into the bargain, so banging of any sort it out until thats cleared up

the beginners videos are very helpful

jessegee

[jessegee]

by the way Dan, I love your photo of the face in the log !

jessegee