Where to from here?

**BoomerangInfo** · 15th October 2009, 09:16 AM

Hi Folks,

I've been posting in the golf ball thread, but figure I need some general advice on what I should be doing now, and what kit I need, if my second attempt at carving is to be more successful than my first.

My goal is to be able to carve in-the-round, small items, with a portable setup I can carry with me and use when I'm away from home during the week. I also have some interest in cane/walking sticks, but that would progress after I was able to carve stand-alone small items first. I like caricature heads, or true-to-life animal carvings, and joining in my other interest in all things fantasy, extend that to dragons/trolls/greek mythological figures etc etc.

My experience history is some chip carving (not for quite a few years though), a bit of Intarsia more recently, and I'm currently turning pens and making boomerangs in my limited spare time. Attached below is a picture of the carving gear I have, and my one and only attempt at carving (the bunny is made from Qld White Beech, which I have a large supply of from some long boards I got from a boat builder. Size is 3cm x 4cm x 5cm). The date on the bottom of this piece says 14/4/97, which is only a couple of months after my first son was born, so maybe I gave up due to lack of sleep originally

I'm afraid I can't remember.

So what I need advice on is what I should be looking at to progress my skills to get where I'd like to be. What gear should I be looking for and are there intro books I should go through first, or just pick a design I'd like to try and go for it?

I'm rather isolated so have no access to hands on teaching currently, but love collecting books and reading up on a subject on the Internet. I have two books currently, both by E.J. Tangerman, and they seem rather old. "Whittling and Woodcarving" and "Complete Guide to Woodcarving". They are a wealth of information, but something a bit more "Woodcarving for dummies" may help me progress step by step. I did find this site Will Hayden Wood Carving which looks like it's got some basics to try, although it's a little short on Instructions, and then there's the bits about how to properly sharpen etc that I really need to brush up on too.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks. Russell.

**Sebastiaan56** · 15th October 2009, 12:49 PM

Hi Russell,

Im very much a newb at this carving thing as well. I just picked up a Carving Jack from Rockwell in the US on special, shipped in 4 days and half price from what local vendors offer after postage. 4 day turnaround as well, these guys know service! Flexcut Carvin? Jack™ Multiple-Blade Folding Knife - Rockler Woodworking Tools I bought it because it adds a V tool and curved tool to a penknife. Comes with a strop, paste and a board to do the funny shaped tools. I havent opened it yet, its under the XMAS tree to stop the annual sock accretion. But it does look good. The point is to take it away and not carry a couple of kilos of tools.

I cant advise you on what to read, except to say that there was a link to an internet library on the General Woodworking forum this week. It also had some carving books.

I like your mousey thing!

**Frank&Earnest** · 15th October 2009, 01:33 PM

ahem.. I think that mousey thing is a rabbit

and the design is similar to the one you can see in the photos of this book (which would be good for you Russell if you can find it): Hellum and Gottshall, You can whittle and carve, Bonanza NY 1942.

**BoomerangInfo** · 15th October 2009, 02:02 PM

Maybe it's a Rouse, or a Mabbit?

The design did come from somewhere, but not that book. Can't remember where though.

The jack looks cool, bit rich for me just at the moment I think though.

Russell.

**Sebastiaan56** · 15th October 2009, 05:48 PM

ahem, unidentified, probably edible mammal.....

Thanks for the book tip Frank, auction sites seem to have it. I also really like Dick Onians books. I just need to get some practise under my belt

**Whittling** · 15th October 2009, 10:36 PM

I've said it once already, but I'll say it again... You already have everything you need. You've got a solid clip point blade for roughing out, a variety of smaller shaped blades for detail work and a couple of gouges and a V tool for doing things that blades don't do well.

You also have a wooden backed leather strop and a couple of stones to keep things nice and sharp. The only thing you need now is a honing compound.

If you want to be portable, you really don't need any more.

I've been carving steadily for 7 years now and that's all I've ever used until quite recently when I started larger stuff in much harder woods.

If its little projects your after, look up a book on the net called 'The Little Book of Whittling' by Chris Lubkemann. I didn't think of it at first because you talked about carving faces, but this book goes right back to basics. (The guy does all his carving with a two-bladed Swiss Army Knife.). If you can master what he has to show you, you are ready for more complex stuff.

I've attached a photo of some roosters I do which are based on Chris's designs. They are carved from ordinary forked sticks which you can find literally anywhere. I mention them only to illustrate the point that materials and subjects for whittling are EVERYWHERE! You just need a little imagination and a bit of practice. The important thing is to start. Sure... you'll make mistakes but if you are keen, you'll learn more from them then you will from just about anything else. The 'bunny' you posted tells me that you have the basics already so if you're willing... get out of your comfort zone and stretch yourself. You'll be amazed at what you can do.

(Don't forget to post it when you do so we can be amazed along with you)

**schaf** · 16th October 2009, 07:06 AM

Russell, chech out these sites.
Woodcarving Illustrated Message Board
WoodBeeCarver
OutWestWoodCarving

Heaps of information.

Regards
Terry

**BoomerangInfo** · 16th October 2009, 07:39 AM

Thanks guys,

I appreciate the input. I've posted my first Golf Ball attempt in the WIP thread. The E.J. Tangerman books are excellent for giving variety of things to whittle & carve, they just lack detail on doing any one of them.

I forgot I had actually tried a few other things way back when. I tried some ball-in-a-cage stuff with soap, and started one wooden chain link, which I found was never finished. I think I'll try and focus on the golf balls for a while and see how I progress. I do have 60 of them to use, after all, although my boys started making off with them last night when they found them

Oh, regarding the honing compound. I bought a power strop set back in the 90's as well, which had a stick of white compound with it I believe. If I can find where all that is packed away in the shed, would that be suitable?

Thanks again. Russell.

**DsArt** · 16th October 2009, 07:56 AM

g`day russell seems like a wabbit to me an anyhow it only matters what you see in the wood and bring out is what counts ,seems you got a good lot of gear there ,book readin is helpful but i`ve always thought ,thats great but it`s your great not my great sort of thing ,you always glean somthin from searching out ideas and ways,but in the end ,if you can bring it out of the woodwork your way an then it`s unique,an that`s as good as it get`s.danny

it`s a nice wittle wabbit anyhow

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