Most carvers powercarve?

Bcarves, what you carve with is strictly up to you. Excellent carvings are done with both types of tools. *I would suggest that you definitely give power carving a try. *Bear in mind one thing......it's not the tool that makes the carving, but the carver. *Some of the most beautiful woodcarving you will ever see has been done with just a pen knife. *I'm going to go and find a link to a site that may interest you.....be right back....

OK, check these sites out.

http://www.warthers.com/html/carvings.html

http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/Warther.htm

It is the web page for the Warther museum, down in Ohio. *I had the distinct priveledge of visiting there several years back, when the place was virtually deserted and had the opportunity to sit and chat with the Warther family. *I found it utterly unbelievable that he had created these materpieces with just a pen knife and querried them mercillesly about his use of a modeler's or jeweler's lathe. *No, he used a PEN KNIFE!

As you have noticed (and so have I) there are also many highly artistic carvers that use power. *I have used both methods, and can attest to the fact that there is a distinct learning curve in the approach to each technique. *Use whatever tools you find most suitable to your needs.....none is 'BEST', just different!

Al

B,
The key word in your first posting was 'bird'.
Yes, most bird carvers do use power.

I would probably power carve if I thought it would help my carvings. Well, maybe not; I carve with hand tools 99.999% of the time because I don't care for the sound or dust of power carving.

I have used power when it was the best or quickest way to carve a piece.

I find that power carvers are not as sociable as other carvers because they have eye, ear, mouth and nose protection on while carving. Also they are restricted by the length of their extension cord.

The cost of a 2 x 2 x 12 can vary from around $1.25 to $3.60 depending on the area of the country and the supplier.

I own a Foredom, NSK, Auto Mach, Ryobi (thanks to gadget crazy husband ) and have a great shop to use them in.... but I stick happily with my little hand tools. Like Al said - it's not what you carve with, but what you carve. Try it all, try power, try hand, try a mix of the two ...see what works best for you and don't worry about anyone else.

And comparing Earnest Muehlmatt and Anthony Hillman is kinda like comparing potatoes and oranges. Muehlmatt carves realistic birds and Hillman carves decoys - 'smoothies' or 'gunners'. There's no comparison. Both of them are masters at their craft.

[Cut_Fingers]

Hey All,

I 1st started carving on Peach tree limbs. The wood was soooo hard that I started using my Dremel with a large assortment 0f bits.

However, for the past year I have really gotten into the art of carving & using hand tools. I don't know which is better, but I get more enjoyment out of the hand tools. Even though my Dremel carvings look better than my hand tool carvings!

I guess it's just what makes you feel good, that keeps you going. Have fun & keep carving!

Jim

[mikeg]

There's a definite attraction to the idea of being able to carve with power and not need to stop and strop tools or worry about cutting myself but I like to be able to sit in front of the tv, or out on the porch and enjoy the peace and quiet when I carve. I've got a dremel and maybe someday I'll try power carving but, for now anyway, I like hand tools.

Rick, I can't imagine a group of carvers in the same room all power carving, it must be awfully loud! :

just my take on it,
mikeg

[Callynne]

I use power (reciprocating) at first when roughing out, then (and I've just started this) rotary to hog off more wood before turning to my hand tools (which I much prefer). I hate, as Rick said, all that goes with rotary. I look like an alien creature with my mask, safety glasses and ear plugs in....do you know how high you have to turn the music to hear it when you have ear plugs in?? Hubby's favorite thing to do right now is walk in the room (when he comes home from work) and just stand there till I notice him...which scares me almost to death! Gonna have to hurt that man! : Callynne

Hello Callyne,

I don't know you but I'll bet your hubby's not trying to scare you. I bet he's admiring your beauty and realizes how lucky he is to have you, : and ya wanna hurt the guy?

SORRY I mispelled your name Callynne.

Gave it one more shot with the Foredom last night. Packing it up and giving it to the carving club today. Will put it in my golf cart and when one of the members is out for his morning walk he gets to carry it home. I'll lose a few balls in the lake then go park under a tree and whittle for awhile.

Don't know Ed...sometimes that foredom does come in handy....just not something I want to use all the time... :