New member...

Buckfever4life · #1 10-18-2007, 10:22 AM

Hello all, I am a new member. My screenname was messed up when I entered and I did not go back and check it. It is supposed to be Buckfever4life not uckfever4life...so no dirty thoughts. I am an avid outdoorsman and hunter hence the name buckfever. Anywho, I am just getting started in carving, I have whittled here and there but nothing serious, I dont even own any carving tools. I am set up for a wood spirit carving class at my local woodcraft store and I am hoping to get started then. In the event I do well and enjoy it as much as I think I will, I will purchase a set of tools and wood at the Woodcraft store. Does anyone have any recomendations as far as tools go purchased from WoodCraft? I am planning on doing little carvings such as wood spirits in small sticks/canes and some relief carvings done on boards 12 by 12 or so. I might get into caricature carving, but I am really not that artistic in drawing so I dont know if I would be very good at caricature carvings although they interest me the most. I am good at working with my hands and building/repairing things, but when it comes to design and drawing, I lack the skills. I dont know how carving will relate to someone who has no artistic skills, but we will soon find out. I have always thought that if you were artistic and could draw, design and use that part of your brain well then you could carve, I hope to prove myself wrong. I look forward to posting on here and learing alot about this hobby.

BobD · #2 10-18-2007, 10:31 AM

Welcome aboard,
I'll fix your username!

As for artistic talent...pick up the book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain"

I've gone through just a few exercises, and it has increased my confidance in my skills quite a bit.

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

Buckfever4life · #3 10-18-2007, 10:33 AM

Awesome, thanks Bob.

I am headed to amazon.com right now to find that book.

Buckfever4life · #4 10-19-2007, 04:24 AM

What are a good set of tools for a beginner carver? The class that I am taking at WoodCraft next month involves a Wood Spirit on a piece of firewood, so I dont know if the tools that we will be using are the same tools that I would need to do small relief carving boards and smaller wood spirits on canes and basswood. I plan on purchasing a set of tools real soon so that I can begin tinkering around with things. I am up to about any suggestion, and I live a few minutes from my local WoodCraft store, so if anyone has any tool selections from there as well I would greatly appreciate it.

gumbyteeth04 · #5 10-19-2007, 05:32 AM

I'll vouch for that book. I bought it & what an improvement over BEFORE I bought it!! Now my stick figures even have a real resemblence...LOL!! GREAT book to learn from.

Buckfever4life, Flexcut makes a GREAT kit for starting carving...179.99 complete @ WOODCRAFT.com...I bought these & have been VERY happy with them. Comes with everything you'll need to get yourself started. You won't be disappointed!!

Dan

Mark N. Akers · #6 10-19-2007, 05:33 AM

Welcome to the site buckfever,hope you enjoy it here,and you can do caricatures,thats why they are called caricatures their is no rules on carving them,the main thing is have fun with it.Don't put alot of pressure on your self to limit your ability,just have fun.

Buckfever4life · #7 10-19-2007, 05:44 AM

Thanks for the support.

How important is the ability to actually draw in order to carve? As far as the book goes, will that aide in my carving abilities?

I will check out the Flexcut tools at WoodCraft.

Thanks again
Chad

Joy · #8 10-19-2007, 07:28 AM

Welcome to the forum. No, you don't have to be an artist to carve. But anything you do to improve your drawing will also improve your carving.

Susan Irish has an excellent tutorial on wood spirits in the tutorial section. Check it out.

I started with a beginner set of Flexcut tools from Smokey Mtn Woodcarvers and enjoyed using them. Then I started buying the Pfiel tools and am sold on them.

The main thing is to enjoy what you are doing. Carving is good for the soul.

squbrigg · #9 10-20-2007, 07:57 AM

Welcome aboard Buck........ a good beginners set of carving tools can be had from Rick Ferry at Little Shavers. The kit comes with everything a beginner will need to get started and are sharpened well by Rick. www.littleshavers.com

Rick and his wife are terrific folks to deal with, as are the fine folks aboard this board.

Carving is the best hobby there is, and I hope you find plenty of satisfaction from it.

Bob

Irishman · #10 10-20-2007, 09:50 AM

Everyone has there preference based on what they started with. I am very pleased with my Pfiel tools, and woodspirit carvings is my stable. I would suggest the long handled version as you'll be using a mallet for much of the carving if doing large woodspirits. Enjoy your course.
Patrick