One of the things I like best about woodcarving is the portable nature of it. The tools all fit into a compact roll and all you need is a flat surface and a few clamps to hold your workpiece. Woodcarving in itself is a very relaxing and zen like activity so being able to take it with you to relaxing places is yet another bonus. I have packed up my carving chisels and taken them along on vacation on several occasions in fact.
So with a few hours to kill this weekend at my wife’s school while she taught voice lessons, I took along a piece of Basswood and 6 chisels. This and some clamps fit nicely in my Underhill-esque tool tote. I even was able to pick an art room to work in which seemed rather fitting. Set the clamps and lay out my chisels and I was ready to go to work. I could have taken a book or played Simpsons Tapped Out on my iPhone (dang that game is addictive) but instead I got in some great carving time and produced something I decidedly proud of.
This project used only 5 chisels and took about 2 hours to complete.
- #8 10 mm
- 1/2″ bench chisel
- 6 mm V chisel
- #3 3mm
- #3 14mm
The biggest hurdle with woodcarving is just getting started. Once you take the plunge you will find that it isn’t nearly as hard as your brain is making it. A surprisingly small number of chisels is all that is needed and you will open a whole new world of possibilities for your furniture projects. You also find yourself noticing really small details in the world around you. I warn you this makes you incredibly annoying to spouses who are trying to get your attention during dinner while you stare at the flowers in the centerpiece.
Ha, I love it! If you ran an in-person school you could hang your shingle outside. Good job.
Maybe I’ll hang it under my mailbox so I can feel official
Do you find carving “addictive”?
What brand of carving tools are those?
Ever so slightly Dean. To the point where I keep making little carved things when I should be doing other things. I use Pfeil chisels. I like them and most importantly they are readily available at Woodcraft down the street or online and I can buy them one at a time.
I don’t carve at all, yet I have been intrigued by chip carving. It looks like you don’t need any more than two knives to do some amazing stuff. As you point out, extremely portable. But I really don’t need another woodworking addiction, so please stop tempting me!!! (Just kidding.)