As a beginner, I would like to see

[KeithC]

You know as a beginning carver when I look at someones carving I would like to see the following information:
Orginal patteren by:
Roughout by:
Hand made or Machine produced
Method of CarvingInitials would be fine) HT = Hand Tools, PC = Power carving, CS = Chain Saw, Pyro = Pyrography, you could even mix and match ie HT/PC.
Finish: Natural, O = Oil, WC = watercolor, Acry = Acrylic and etc.
Just a simple label would suffice. I know you should be able to tell by just looking at the heading, but I've found that to not always be the case. Tools used, as some of you provide in your pictures, also help tons. I see a lot of tremendous carvings on this site and really would appreciate a little more info. Just a thought.
Thanks
Keith

[Eddy-Smiles]

Keith.... If I was a psychologist I'd swear that you have a type "A" personality. Your background has got to be in either Engineering or Supply. Wow! I haven't seen that kind of organization since I left the Government. I agree that that anyone posting work needs to describe their efforts as much as possible so as the rest of us can fully appreciate their work but I'm not sure that your format wouldn't take all the fun out of it! But if that's how you feel, so be it!

[KeithC]

It's worse than that Eddy. How about a CPA with experience in the fine art business. Can't blame a guy for wanting all the info he can get. However, I wouldn't want to reduce anyones enjoyment of carving.
Keith

[Kenny_S]

Once you get to know carvers on this board, It isn't hard to figure out what they use. Of course, some of us uses different techniques on our carvings.
Acrylic washes dipped in the dreaded BLO and then a couple coats of Deft satin is my way but then, I do use wax, antiquing. so, Maybe you ghave a point.

[Lightningbolt]

Most of the time I do try to provide as much information as possible about the carvings that I post, however after more than 3 years on the forum I hate to sound too repetitive. Most people here already know how I finish my woodspirit walking sticks because I love talking about it so much that I explain it about every other post.

I couldn't agree more with you in that the more information given the better the post, however on the other hand when a person makes a post, that is an open invitation for anyone to ask all the questions they desire and that's what makes everything so interesting. Another thing I've learned about this forum is that folks here absolutely love to answer questions.

On some of my postings I have wondered why somebody didn't ask more questions about something unusual because I really could have revealed a LOT more, but no one asked so it will just remain the little secret that I'm dying to reveal. It's amazing how much knowledge is participating on this forum, but the only way to get at it is to "work it" and "milk it" for all it's worth. In my opinion that is what makes a forum great and the archives such a valuable resource.

Personally, I tend to reveal a lot of details in my positngs probably because it's just good writing practice and crafting words is as grand a hobby to me as is woodcarving. For others, making a post is a lot of work and writing isn't their favorite thing to do, but they still have a great desire to share so they're rather brief.

Great question that you've asked and thank's for giving me something to elaborate upon! Maybe too much.

[KeithC]

Kenny, would love to know the steps in your finishing process in order. This also brings up another question. How much information is normally given to a purchaser?
Keith

[Gergie]

Originally Posted by Keithmc

You know as a beginning carver when I look at someones carving I would like to see the following information:
Orginal patteren by:
Roughout by:
Hand made or Machine produced
Method of CarvingInitials would be fine) HT = Hand Tools, PC = Power carving, CS = Chain Saw, Pyro = Pyrography, you could even mix and match ie HT/PC.
Finish: Natural, O = Oil, WC = watercolor, Acry = Acrylic and etc.
Just a simple label would suffice. I know you should be able to tell by just looking at the heading, but I've found that to not always be the case. Tools used, as some of you provide in your pictures, also help tons. I see a lot of tremendous carvings on this site and really would appreciate a little more info. Just a thought.
Thanks
Keith

Would it be OK if I just typed in "All of the Above" j/k

I would suggest if you have a question about a specific carving posted here just send the person a private message. Most of us would be glad to answer any of your questions.

When I sell a carving I will have written on my card who or where the pattern came from and the wood and finish. If they want any more info. I'll fill them in. I hope this helps you out. Keep your knife and your wits sharp.

[Thomp]

As most beginners have no experience with tools, painting applications or finishes

some if not most buy a armload of tools that look like carving tools and they have no idea of how why or when to use them, if there factory sharp, the most use the tools until there dull before they know what the tool could do to benefit there carving and by then the tools dull and this causes its own difficulty.. on its own merit of dull tools,

keith,
as i try to tell most new carvers, start with the basics, thumb and finger protection, a roughing knife and a detail knife, learn how they work and how to sharpen them, then move into v tools and gouges, once your knowledgeable of these tools and can maintain the cutting edges you will know which tools were used to during the carving of a item...
read the different threads, learn how to use the search feature, on the fourm, theres probobally not a single issue that hasent been addressed before, its just hard to figure out how to search for it as it was posted, but remember there is always the archives as well going back several years.
---
the hopes changing everybodys habbits and getting the carvers to write down all the tools they used to carve something might be pretty far fetched, heck most instructional book writers of the past left you hanging as to the tools sizes and profiles as to which they used, one writer comes to mind "Pete leclair" he tells you the profiles only but not the mm size, heck he don't even tell you what size of a blank to start with, in his 2 books i have, its been determined that he teaches without size being relevant so you can make that judgment whether you want a full life size or miniature you decide..

i would be hard pressed to identify the tools i used to carve something from my mixed matched rack of tools of different manufactures, i do it by instinct, by looking at the tool design and knowing what profile i want, it might be a full sized tool that i use by only making a slight cut with the tool, or a micro tool to make the same cut. or using the inside of a gouge to make the rounded over look im looking for a shoulder or the ball of a nose..

most of my tools are stamped with a number, i don't know what the number corresponds to its certainly not a standard chart of chisel profiles, (by the way is there a standard chart)?

there is flexcut charts and other pefil charts but there not the same.

[Eddy-Smiles]

Keith... You've got me so stressed out I may just have to go on vacation at the end of this week! Whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS... I'm going to TN; in a TK; color Gry; w/whls! Ha! Ha!

[KeithC]

See you can do it. LOL Have a good trip!
Keith