Tools for Beginners

Selecting a Carving Knife

Selecting a Carving Knife

It all comes down to fit and steel quality By Lora S. Irish You will notice, as you search for a new carving knife, that there are enough choices on the market to make your head spin. So how do you sort through them all to find the tool that’s […]

by January 30, 2024 eNews: Strop Talk, Tools for Beginners
Painting Supplies

Painting Supplies

Accessories to help you paint successfully by Vicki Rhodes Everyone knows that you need paint and paintbrushes to paint. However, there are a variety of other useful items to make the experience more efficient and enjoyable. The following items are the ones I find most beneficial. Once you have have […]

by September 26, 2023 eNews: Strop Talk, Tools for Beginners
Product Review: Flexcut Spoon Tools

Product Review: Flexcut Spoon Tools

Three new tools ensure that spoon carvers both at home and on the go are fully equipped for their art By Mindy Kinsey This review was originally published in Woodcarving Illustrated Summer 2018 (Issue 83). Flexcut has added three spoon carving tools to its extensive range of carving equipment: two Sloyd […]

by April 11, 2018 Product Reviews, Tools for Beginners
Simple measuring tools, such as dividers, calipers, and compasses, make it easy to keep carvings in proportion.

Using Compasses, Calipers, and Dividers

Transfer measurements and maintain proportions with these simple tools by Bob Duncan This article was first published in issue 57 of Woodcarving Illustrated. Basic measuring tools have been around for most of documented history; the Freemasons include dividers in their symbol. These simple tools help carvers create symmetry and transfer measurements […]

by November 6, 2017 Get Started Carving, Tools for Beginners
Build a Carver’s Lapboard

Build a Carver’s Lapboard

Carve in your living room with this simple shop-made board by Gary MacKay This article was first published in issue 49 of Woodcarving Illustrated. When I first started chip carving, I would place a towel on my lap to catch the chips. With chip carving, you should have your thumb, knuckle, […]

by November 1, 2017 Get Started Carving, Tools for Beginners
All About Files, Rasps, and Rifflers

All About Files, Rasps, and Rifflers

These versatile tools have a wide range of carving uses by Roger Schroeder This article was first published in issue 42 of Woodcarving Illustrated. While purists will argue that files, rasps and rifflers, not to mention sandpaper, should never touch a wood carving, don’t sell these tools short. Many projects need […]

by October 30, 2017 Get Started Carving, Tools for Beginners
Choosing Power Carving Bits

Choosing Power Carving Bits

Make smart purchases with a basic understanding of the cutters available by Chuck Solomon and Dave Hamilton Photos of bits in use courtesy of Foredom This article was first published in issue 48 of Woodcarving Illustrated. In power carving, the bur or bit is the part of the tool that does […]

by October 23, 2017 Get Started Carving, Tools for Beginners
Tap the steel punch with a hammer to leave a textured impression.

All About Punches

Add texture and designs to your carving with these simple tools by Roger Schroeder This article was first published in issue 46 of Woodcarving Illustrated. Essentially, a woodcarver’s punch is a steel texturing tool with a pattern engraved on its tip. Just when woodcarvers started to use them is unknown, although […]

by October 16, 2017 Get Started Carving, Tools for Beginners
Tools of the Trade

Tools of the Trade

An introduction to the tools used in traditional woodcarving by Chris Pye   I carve in what might be called the traditional manner. It is sometimes referred to as European. The tools of my trade consist of variously shaped gouges, chisels, and so on. I don’t often use knives, which […]

by September 25, 2017 Get Started Carving, Tools for Beginners
Comparing Carving Gloves

Comparing Carving Gloves

An overview of commonly available protective gloves by Bob Duncan   The safest way to carve is to use a holding device and keep both hands on the tool. However, many carvers hold their work in their hands. Proper hand positioning keeps the holding hand safely out of the tool’s […]

by September 15, 2017 Get Started Carving, Tools for Beginners