Birthday Book!

[urbansheepdog]

Hi Guys
My birthday's in a few days time and I'll likely get a few pennies from the family. (now that I've said that, ..... I probably wont! LOL! )
I'm a bit of a book fiend and I was considering buying myself this book with the proceeeds! Art and Technique of Scandinavian Style Woodcarving: Step-by-Step Instructions and Patterns for 40 Flat-Plane Carving Projects: Harley Refsal: Amazon.co.uk: Books

As I've no way of seeing if this would be a good reference and instruction book, have any of you guys any thoughts on it?
Also, a tool supplier I've used for years stocks Flexcut knives, whom I've bought two off and I was considering buying the Fexcut Mini detail knife KN27. It has a very thin 3/4" blade which I thought might be handy for some of those fiddly bits to carve...... any thoughts on this knife as well?
Thanks Simon

[Larry Marshall]

This is a gorgeous book. I just got a copy myself. There is a presentation of the history of flat-plane carving with gorgeous color photos of gorgeous carvings. This is followed by step-wise photos that show the carving of two different flat-plane projects and then a chapter on painting one of those characters. The last third of the book contains a bunch of classic patterns.

Hope this helps.

[gene-messer]

Larry is right .. the book is a tribute to flat plane carving with history ,patterns and photos of flat plane work .. a good buy for sure

as far as flex cut anything .. I think flex cut tools are good tools .. some might disagree . but for me flexcut is wonderful ..

anything they make is a favorite for me

Gene

[tucker1931]

I agree with Larry and Gene, it's one of the first books I ever bought and that's basically how I learned to carve (along with Genes help). As for Flex cut knives, that's all I own.
Cliff

[urbansheepdog]

Thanks very much guys!Your input is greatly apprecited. I've ordered the book from Amazon and two Flexcut mini knives! This is starting to get worryingly addictive! LOL!

[scooter]

If getting into flat-plane is what interests you, then this is a good book to start with. You're on your way...

S~

[luciano]

Ciao urbansheepdog,
I'm a beginner like you I think, and this is what you 'll learn to do with the Refsal's book and your KN27 Flexcut.
It is my second work after watching Gene videos and Refsal tutorial on his book.
His name is Oskar
luciano

[Larry Marshall]

I love your Oskar! Did you do it 'full size'? I'm thinking of trying it in a slightly reduced size as I don't have any wood thicker than 1 1/2" right now

[seanking]

I saw that book and wondered if it was a good book, now I know. I bought two knives a couple of months back and absolutely love them. They are Lyons knives, I purchased the 33-S style which has a hook blade and is perfect for pull cuts on and around the eyes to form the eyeball. It says it's a standard knife but the point is very fine and perfect for detail. The other is a 27-D and is another great knife. They hold their edge for a long time.

Lyons (Handmade)
Sean

[urbansheepdog]

That Oskar fella looks great Luciano ! I got the book yesterday and have been flicking through the pages. Plenty there to inspire plus work by other carvers too.
Larry, I was thinking the same thing about down scaling size also. I'm trying to standardise on 3- 1/4" x 1-1/8" square limewood. I'm also trying to use my own designs and ideas but incorporating what I've learned from others. I also got the "Carving Small Characters" by Jack Price from Fox Chapel and it's a terrific book with some good instruction on carving a figure and special sections on hands and face practice sticks! (sort of 12 faces on a 3" block of wood exercise)
Another book I got (told you I was a book fiend! LOL!) was "Cartooning the Head and Figure" by Jack Hamm. Because I'm wanting to do caricature type flat plane figures I thought it would be a good reference book. Freehand drawing is not my strong point (not that carving is either!) so I 'm wanting to learn more about gesture and expression to liven up my characters. Plus you can be a bit more disproportionate with caricatures.
Better go.... I've got kindling to carve!! LOL!