New Member

keithlong · #1 07-27-2008, 06:14 PM

Hey Everyone
I am new to your forum, I am a beginner wood carver and long time whittler. I have been whittling with a pocket knife for several years. Love to whittle on red cedar. Now want to venture into wood carving. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Keith

Mark N. Akers · #2 07-27-2008, 06:20 PM

Welcome to the site Keith,hope you enjoy it here.

Iowa Carver · #3 07-27-2008, 06:35 PM

Welcome to the site. When you say you have been whittling for a while do you mean just whittling a stick down to nothing or have you been whittling projects? I guess I consider my self a whittler more than anything... whittling small animals and figures etc. Fun stuff whether you call it whittling or woodcarving! Welcome and enjoy the site.

Corey

keithlong · #4 07-27-2008, 06:56 PM

Hey Corey
About the only thing that I have whittled out so far is a knife and fork. Just got through whittling the ball in a cage too. Thanks for the reply, and nice meeting you

Tom H · #5 07-27-2008, 07:44 PM

Keith, Welcome! Glad you're here, and am looking forward to seeing some of your whittlin and/or carvin.

Tom H

WoodcarverDave · #6 07-27-2008, 10:23 PM

Welcome to the WCI boards. You will find a ton of great info here from some excellent carvers.

Ron T · #7 07-28-2008, 02:16 AM

Hello and welcome, Keith.

What kind of carving are you planning or thinking of doing? The great thing here is there are members in every facet of carving and they're all willing to help.

keithlong · #8 07-28-2008, 05:45 PM

Hey Ron,
Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. I too like walking sticks and would love to learn how to make one. Do you use green wood? If so do you let it dry first? Do you carve on it while it is green? Please offer any advise. Thanks, Keith

Ron T · #9 07-28-2008, 06:36 PM

Hi Keith,

I personally don't carve green sticks. Perhaps because I think they'll split when drying. Also, it's because I have a bunch already dried. I learned to carve on hardwood sticks so I guess I'm used to it.

There's a chemical called pentacryl that let's you carve green and keeps the wood from cracking but I never used it.

As far as carving sticks, just find a design you like and remove all the wood that doesn't look like it. LOL. Seriously, there are sticks everywhere. Just pick one up, call it a practice stick and go for it. Sometimes just calling it a practice stick frees you to do all sorts of things you wouldn't otherwise do.

Mottles · #10 07-28-2008, 11:23 PM

Hello, I'm late with my welcome....best advice I can give is keep visiting this site and ask questions. Everyone is very helpful and just terrific folks.
Kathy