US vs UK carving magazines

Kenny_S · #1 11-24-2005, 12:05 AM

I have noticed a great difference in the US carving magazines and the UK. Just received anothe rcopy of a UK carving mag and they don't have much on How to articles but more in to the history of different types of carving and old English style carving. Some a quite good but then some don't interest me.
I take several US carving magazines and have not over the years found one issue I didn't like whereas the UL carving Mags, I find lacking. In theirs, they don't detail a carving or instruct in the detailing where as the US carving mags do and seems to be more able to share techniques or wisdom as you may than the English version carving mags.
Don't get me wrong, there are some fantastic UK carvers and I enjoy the mag but if it wasn't for my Auzzie friends, I wouldn't buy any of them.JMHO.

squbrigg · #2 11-24-2005, 07:35 AM

Hi Kenny, I couldn't agree more. I've been a subscriber to both North American carving magazines and the UK one, and I prefeer by far, the North American ones. Like you said, much of the UK magazine is directed towards historic carving styles, modern carvers and their work and heavy on traditional architectural carving. I also notice the same photos being used over and over. I don't believe they encourage new carvers very much, though they are heavy into classes and advertizing them. Most of their coverage is of the same few professional cravers, over and over.

Perhaps it's a cultural thing, but I enjoy the North American style of carving magazine more. It is strange, but I find another UK magazine like that, their ship modelling one. Fixed in the past, style, and format, still printing in Black and White with a color cover. Super expensive too for what you get. Like many things from the UK, if find them way overpriced, and inferior in content.

Bob

brian bailey · #3 11-24-2005, 09:47 AM

I just browsed thru one of those UK magazines the other day and had the same impressions and put it back in the rack. I did pickup and buy WCI's latest edition though

.

I think the European magazines are still caught up in the guild mentality with techniques being rather closely kept.

Just MHO, Brian...

Colin_Partridge · #4 11-24-2005, 11:44 AM

Have to agree whole heartedly with what has been said. Not to mention that the cost of that UK magazine as well. I know there are some tremendous carvers in the UK it would be nice to see them feature some of them with a "How to" project.
Colin

Old_Gord · #5 11-24-2005, 05:31 PM

I have several older Woodcarving magazines from the UK, used to be a good reference magazine but cost too much for me to subscribe to it.

.
Can't comment on what it's content are now.
BTW another comment slightly off topic, did any of you read the comments by the UK carver to the editor of Chip Chats in the Nov-Dec 2005 issue .
He takes a rather braod swipe at USA carvers by saying that USA carvers should change their carving subject matter as it appears to him that USA carvers only carve Santas and

s, his suggestion was they should start copying Michelangelo works .

Interesting comments from across the pond eh!

.

OG

Kenny_S · #6 11-24-2005, 07:53 PM

OG, Yes I did read the comments from the ULK gentleman and was taken back by them. I guess he hasn't got got up in carving what you want when you want. Yes there are a lot of Santa carvings but I have not seen a duplicate of one yet and have seen the, at shows, on people's shelves and mantles as well as in other Magazines. Apparently the gentleman does not comprehend what he sees as in the same mags as he commented there were many different subjects and on at least 20 pages not a Santa.

If it wasn't for my friends in Austraila, I wouldn't be reading the mag for sure.
I will stick with the States carving magazines.

Lastly, it is sad as there are several UK carvers that I admire but see little of them in the UK mag.

artolver · #7 11-25-2005, 12:51 PM

Woops!
Both U.S. magazines? There is Chip Chats, and whats the other one?
About the UK mag, I thumbed thru one a while back and it seems like it was more about carving as an art form rather than Hobbiest..and not much on ads for tools and stuff. I haven't seen their mag. around this part of the country. I don't think I'd buy one anyway.
Art

carver6 · #8 11-25-2005, 05:23 PM

Have to agree with everyone else in regard to UK carving mags. I bought one a few months ago and was not at all impressed. I was impressed enough to decide against buying anymore of them. If the folks in the UK don't like what we carve over here, they can just tend their own ways over there and not bother us. I'm not real concerned whether they like or don't like our carvings. JMHO
Garon

squbrigg · #9 11-26-2005, 08:32 AM

I believe that the differences are fundamental, basic cultural views of carving. As with many things, we North Americans see things and take things, more casually, while the European mentality see them more structured and set in the past. Their view tends to be more along the lines : if it isn't a copy of an old master or traditional architectural style easily labled (Georgian, Rennissanse, Gothic, Roman ) then it doesn't count or isn't serious. They often, as the example of the gentleman from UK was quoted, to look down on anything but their methods as: secondary, amaturist, hobby work, not to be taken seriously. I have noticed that they do this about just about everything...a stuck in the past mentality, I feel, and unable to change, or to come up with anything original. I'm just glad I live on this side of the pond! Those folks are wound too tight!!!

We had a yound lad from Europe live with us for a year while he attended high school, an exchange student. We learned a lot from him, as he did from us. We had long discussions about this very topic. He enjoyed the North American attitude better, less structured and not set in stone according to out-dated, and ineffective methods. Reluctant to change, a basic human failing and almost a national pride in Europe! "Our way, is the only way!": attitude! I see that attitude reinforced every day during the summer here, visitors from Europe who come to our area, to stay in a resort that caters only to them. Some countries seem to be worse, but the attitude seems to be the same, "If it isn't European, it doesn't count!". Poor dears, they are wound too tight. Have to come all the way over here to relax!!!

Just my opinion, you are free to disagree....especially if you are European!!!

Bob

Big_Al · #10 11-26-2005, 08:23 PM

I agree with all of the above comments re; " British" carving mentality; They sure have some great carvers over there but when do they have fun carving? I spoke to an British" subject" and he could'nt for the life of him figure , why we carve so many Santas and build so many plastic houses. I replyed that we ENJOY carving caricatures and we don't build many stone houses anymore because we move so often and found out that wood any vinyl are much warmer than stone. As far as the item in Chip Chats - I feel sorry for the old chap. What a dull life he must lead. Big Al