Tips for Beginners

Tips from Carole Jean Boyd contributor to Carving Found Wood

Wood Carving Illustrated Issue #26 Page 78

1. Wear a thumb guard on your carving hand. You can wear one on the hand that holds the wood, too.
2. Realize that everybody's hands work differently so you'll be developing your own way to comfortably hold a knife, other tools and wood.
3. When your knife starts to catch in your project and breaks off little pieces of wood, stop carving and turn the wood the other way.
4. Take your time and make small chips. Work at your own comfortable pace; you are not in a race to complete your carving. You also need to learn how to feel the wood and what it is telling you.
5. Check your work from time to time to see where more attention is needed.
6. Don't be afraid to ask questions when you are in a carving class or at a meeting.
7. Stop carving every 30 minutes or so to rest. Shake your hands occasionally and run hot water over them to keep from cramping.