Benefits of sharp tools.

[squbrigg]

Good evening all,

I began a new carvings today, the subject is something different for me, a dragon's head, in relief. I had a nice stick of Basswood here that has been haunting me, just waiting for the right project to appear, and today it did. I picked up a copy of Lora Irish's book on Dragon Patterns, and found one that I thought I would give a try.

I traced the pattern onto the wood, and instead of carving away the background, I deceided to try drilling the background away on the drillpress with a Forestner bit. It worked splendidly, and saved me hours of laborous carving and a sore neck and back. ( I should have read that other book sooner, 'Elements of Wood Carving' by Chris Pye, thats where I got the idea ).

I then began carving the surface of the background, to texture it and get rid of the small holes left by the bit, and was enraptured with the ease of the gouge going through the wood. The chizels and gouges I was using walked through the Basswood like a hot knife through butter, and was such a pleasure to do. Even when I began shaping the edges of the dragon , cross grain, they still shaved the wood off , almost effortlessly! Just to expariment, I switched blades and tried several different shapes and curves, and the results were amaizing. My sharpening skills must be improving and all that practice, bearing fruit.

I know this may sound strange to you, but to me it's a big deal. I haven't been able to exert a lot of perssure/strength in my carving for a while and I missed it, and this has really...... motivated me, encouraged me. I was really afraid I wouldn't be able to enjoy the type of carving that I once did, relief carving and now I know that I can once again. It is like a heavy weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

I still have to take it slow and only work for short periods, but at least I can carve again. Power carving, just isn't the same, masks, dust, and all. A keen edge lets the wood talk to you and tell you her secrets, and now I can speak that language once again. I missed that!!!

Just thought I'd share that with you.

Bob

[Nancy_G]

Yup -- a keen edge brings chills, doesn't it?
Maybe other people want nice cars or fine jewelry. All a carver wants or needs is a good edge. Now THAT'S POWER carving

[BobD]

It was funny this weekend when I was showing a friend my carving tools. I've been messing around with the Porta-stroph, and had just honed my favorite knife. My friend, who isn't a carver just stared as I carved out of the endgrain of a piece of pine. I got lucky because the pine didn't tear too much, but the knife just whistled through the wood. I got a real WOW out of him.

There really isn't anything like a sharp tool. I think that is why I've resisted getting into power carving for so long. Bob, you are right, the wood does speak a different language, but a sharp tool is a great translator!

Bob

[Bandaid]

No doubt about it Bob, the time spent sharpening (or learning how) pays off big time. When the tool slides thru end and/or cross grain, leaving a shine on the wood, it doesn't get any better than that.
BTW, thanks for the tip on using a forstner bit to hog out background wood. Will have to give it a try...Reg.

The ease with which sharp tools glide through the wood also minimizes the need for carving gloves and bandaids.

A quote by Abraham Lincoln that I stole from Marv Kaisersatt's book:
'If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend the first six sharpening my ax.'

[colin_partridge]

I know it is amazing how sharp tools will cut your carving time in half. I did woodspirit class at our club last year and I was amazed how the greater percentage of the carvers had very dull tools. I take time when I am carving to hone my tools from time to time even several times in an hour. I always find that when the tools start to make a squeeking sound when pushing them thru wood it is time to hone the tool.
Colin

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Hummmmm squeeking sound? Do you have something alive in that wood? LOL :P

[colin_partridge]

When I typed that I just knew I would get a wise crack from you Dave. In fact as I read it back I said to myself Dave will make light of that statement. See how well we are getting to know each other.
Colin

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Well I have heard people say the wood 'talks' to them :, so just making sure :P

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Speaking of sharp! I bought a beautiful Case seahorse whittler on ebay and it was too nice to mess up with me trying to sharpen it....so....I sent it to Rick at Little shavers....well, don't do that unless you expect to get back a sharp knife! I opened the knife and cut my finger ha ha...does that mean I can't have any more sharp instruments? :P (Thanks Rick...good job...err I think LOL)