By Bob Duncan Sjöbergs, the company that has set the standard for full-size workbenches and smaller carver’s benches, has created a mobile workstation they call the Smart Vise. The Smart Vise measures 14 1/4″ by 14 1/4″, can be clamped to any table or workspace, and includes a versatile bench […]
By Bob Duncan Chestnut Tools has partnered with Lee Valley to offer what they call losable knives. The inexpensive stainless steel knives come in boxes of five and are meant for people who frequently lose their pocketknife. They’re also perfect for carvers who like to reshape their knives. These knives […]
Carving tools for the adventurer in all of us By Bob Duncan BushSmarts’ new carving tools for the outdoorsman include a hooked knife and custom sheath, a thumb guard, and a roll-up pouch. Each piece is sold separately. The knife is beveled on both sides and at the point of […]
By Bob Duncan Woodcarvers Supply has redesigned their Pro Champion micro motor to give it a higher top speed and greater power (torque). The tool now features a top speed of 46,000rpm. The Micro Pro kit eliminates the foot control. I never use the foot control with a micro motor, […]
By Bob Duncan When you sharpen gouges and V-tools using oil stones or waterstones, the tools can wear a groove into the stone, which makes it difficult to sharpen flat tools. That’s why it is important to flatten, or lap, your stones regularly. To lap a stone, you need to […]
Simple tool allows even beginners to remove wood fast By Bob Duncan To hollow out a bowl or remove a lot of excess wood quickly, carvers often resort to power tools or large gouges—tools that take practice to use safely. Instead, I reach for the Denker Shave. It was invented […]
By Bob Duncan Foredom has developed a new micro grinder that bridges the gap between large flexible-shaft tools and high-speed micromotors. The K.1020 micro grinder combines the torque and power you need to rough out a carving with the light-weight cord of a micromotor. The micro grinder hooks into the […]
Dremel’s new Micro combines a powerful 8-volt lithium-ion battery that you can vary between 5,000 and 28,000 rpm. New with this tool is a built-in LED light at the tip to illuminate the exact area you are working on. Off the bat, I found the tool comfortable to hold and […]
You may have heard these tools referred to as “the world’s smallest chainsaws.” Watch as Woodcarving Illustrated magazine’s technical editor, Bob Duncan, and his assistant, Alex Giagnocavo, demonstrate and review chainsaw carving discs for angle grinders. Bob and Alex will demonstrate proper safety equipment and techniques, show the effectiveness of the […]
The Guinevere Finishing System by King Arthur Tools claims to be the smallest inflatable sanding drum. What the tool lacks in size it more than makes up for in power. Any carver who sands their piece smooth, either before finishing or burning texture, needs this tool. You can even use the pneumatic […]
