[kitt59]

Hey All,
Although I'm no greenhorn to carving, I have been out of touch with the rest of you carvers. I live in Montana and have been amazed at how few woodcarvers I've run into here, with all the wood growing around here. I started carving when I was a young grade schooler making toys for myself. I didn't even know that I was carving. My first real project was a p-38 lightning airplane. I found pictures in books and thought the plane was really cool and so I traced the outline and made myself a toy. I cut my forefinger to the bone three times in the same place learning the hard way about grain and knife sharpness. Several toys later I discovered that My Grandpa had a wooden chain. "Wow'd ya do that Grandpa?" that got me started on Whittling chains and such. I've done some round carvings of whatever thing interested me before I realized that I am a woodcarver. There is a name for people like me. There were no stores around here to buy knives or chisels so I learned how to make my own knives, first by grinding straight razors to the shape I wanted. then using other steel tools to get just the right size and shape tool that I needed for each project. Later I realized that you can buy some tools in a store already made. most of them didn't suit my exact need. but I bought the ones that did. I still can't decide on a particular style that I will focus on so I will make whatever shape that comes to mind. Relief, caricatures, scroll sawing, Puzzles, You name it. If I like it, I'll try it. I don't like to spend a lot of money on my projects and I don't want to take the fun out of it by making this a business. although I have never sold my work, it's not out of the question. I wouldn't know how much to charge. For now I'll settle on just having fun and getting personal satisfaction from what I make. I think it's time for me to come out of the woods and see what the rest of the community has to show.
Hope to see you around,
Kitt.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Welcome Kitt.....so you cut yourself 3 times in the same place...humm slow learner! I only cut myself twice in the same place LOL

[tnartist05]

Glad to have you here Kitt. My good friend that now lives in NC is moving to Montana soon. Hes Woodtrapper on the board. He carves alot of wood spirits in Mtn Laurel. with him,yea theres not even alot of trees out there in Montanta.....told him,heck,I'll ship you some!! LOL
Sounds like you do enjoy carvings but danggggggggg better make more cuts in the wood than your fingers!! Welcome again to the board & forum!

[squbrigg]

Welcome aboard Kitt. Like you, many of us have grown up carving in solitude, and only through the expansion of the Internet have we been exposed to the work of others. Nice thing about learning that way, no one to tell you that you can't do something! Enjoy.

Bob

[wood-whittler]

kitt,

hello and welcome to the board we are glad to have you here.

bart

[Rare Decoys]

Kitt.......Welcome aboard.... some pictures of your work-latest?

[Eddy Smiles]

Sounds like you also learned a bit of "First Aid" along the way! I think that we've all been there and earned out T-shirt! Welcome aboard!

[Rare Decoys]

Had a few close encounters,but still using all 10 fingers.