Needing clean cut help

[jfixit]

Is there an easy to remember rule (unwritten of course) that will help me know when to quit. I always seem to carve myself into a tight spot that becomes impossible to get clean. Where the collar meets the neck is a good example. Pete Leclair's work is an example of what I'm looking for. He seems to get a lot of detail without creating a mess. Thanks already because I know answers are coming.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Practice. It's as simple as that.

[kdispoto]

Lynn's right. In addition, it's the combination of a few other things: a good piece of basswood, super sharp tools and using the "right" tools.

Pete as well as many other caricture carvers offer classes all through the year.
Taking a class from a pro is probably the best way to learn first hand.

[TreeWizard]

If you are going to paint the piece you might try woodburning the transition line between the collar and the skin. It will give you a nice clean line.

[Ed Redwine]

Sharp tools help immensely to produce clean cuts.

[Mitchell]

Sharp tools, stop cuts and practice.

This is a common question - use the search function with "clean cuts" or "eliminate fuzzies" as key words.

I also use a gouge to separate areas before making my final detail cuts....sort of blocking out the areas. This helps because I'm not making as many deep cuts into one area.

[jfixit]

Thanks for the responses. I've started using gouges more just to keep the knife tip from causing the problem and that seems to help a lot. I also think I've been carving in detail way too early. The burning sounds good mostly because I want a burner anyway but I'm kind of tired of trying to spend my way into being a better carver. I'll spring for the burner when I want to try something new I guess and work on technique now. Thanks again

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

In a class I took the instructor made stop cuts then removed the wood with a chisel, he claimed it left cleaner cuts??

Dave

[gtech]

I also was teached to use gouges to get clean cuts...

No sanding paper was allowed in the classroom, only sharp gouges.

The teacher once asked me if I used sanding paper on a carving. I took it as a compliment.

I got sloppy since then, and have to cheat sometimes, but nothing beats work done with gouges with the carving held in a vise.

Gilles

[cowtown]

Clean cuts are a challenge for all of us. If you are certain that you have good sharp tools, the problem may be your carving technique. Overcutting when working down to your final surface leaves a ragged mess to clean up. Try to "see" the cutting edge when it disappears into the wood. Making the next cut at the same depth will leave a nice clean cut and much less mess to clean up later. I dislike doing chip carving but is a great practice in making good clean cuts. Practice and experience will solve some of your problems. Bigboy