Do you push or pull your tools? a carving question

[Cut_Fingers]

Hey Gang,

Seems I remember a little while back, you all were talking about the way that you carve. Pushing your carving tools (away from you) or pulling you tools (toward you).

Do you find much of a difference? More control one way verses another. Only using your wrist as opposed to your forearm. Maybe doing one way for detail & another for pre-detail.

I talking about palm tools. This is a legit question!

Jim

Jim certainly that is a legit question and one that a lot of people would need to ask. As for me most of the time I push the tool through the wood as I like to get my body weight behind it. But there are certainly times when you will need to pull it towards you. I make sure that when I am pulling the tool towards me that I hold the wrist of the hand holding the tool so that it I dont get the sharp end in my chest or worse. Certainly it is much easier to push than pull but it isnt always possible.
Colin

With a knife, I find that I can push away from me with the back of the blade on my thumb....lots of control here. Pushing with my forearm gets rid of a lot of wood fast, but gives almost NO control over the cut. When cutting toward me with a knife (paring cut) just like peeling a spud, I only pull with my fingers, keeping my thumb on the material, and below the cutting line. Lots of control here, too as the only force is being applied by closing my hand. I wouldn't dream of pulling toward myself with either my full arm or forearm.

One exception to this would be while using a large draw knife.


Same goes for chisles and gouges. Push cuts are usually with BOTH hands on the tool, with the work anchored to the bench, either with carvers screws or at the very least, that anti-slip rubbr mat material.

With palm tools, I usually hold the blade of the tool close to the cutting edge while pushing and pull toward me by putting the handle between my thumb and forefinger and pull only by closing my hand, guiding the cutting edge with my other hand. Small strokes but LOTS of control.

Al

I push most of the time. Since I am usually carving sticks or small pieces I use both thumbs against the back of the knife or the gouge to get more control. When I need to make a fine stop cut or other detail cut I will sometimes hold the knife or gouge in a 'pencil grip' and use only the fingers to move it.

[BasketballJones]

I thought that with a knife the push stroke was used for taking thicker slices and the pull stroke for thinner detail cuts. Another great question. Eagerly awaiting the carving theorys.

Mostly push, less chance of getting a gouge in the gut! But there are those time when you have no choice but to pull.

I do both and sometimes hold it down on the steel like a pencil. When I do what, I never really paid any attention, just do what seems right at the time.

[Kenny_S]

Different application reqire different methods. I do both and as ALA, I use my thumb to back the push stroke, Again, different strokes for different folks.

[Cut_Fingers]

It seems that pulling palm tools allow me a little more control in detail work. A trick I learn from someone here. Sorry I can't give credit to the person. BTW, I do small NTR pieces.

For removing large pieces of wood (a relative term) I push, but for fine detail (a thing I wish I could do well) I have started pulling. However, sometimes the angle determine which approach I use. ??? ??? ???

With Palm tools - I do both about equally.

I 'pull' by using a hinging motion with just my wrist. I can move a lot of wood fairly quickly with this method. I also have much better control with the tool - making it safer. I do have to be careful with wide or tall tools as I have cut the side of my hand a few times with shorter gouges - nothing severe. For detail, I will generally 'push'.