Let’s talk about woodcarvingAdministrator2020-02-03T16:00:40-05:00
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large hands, delicate tools
Jason Parsons@jwynnepar
59 Posts
Quote from Jason Parsons on January 27, 2018, 10:19 pm
i'm a big guy with big hands, and especially big palms. i wear 2xl gloves. i'm able to work with the fishtail gouges, but i get no feel in my left palm for grip. i am able to apply control from forward force, but i wonder if those with smaller hands get something from the grip. i also wonder if there is another option for larger hands.
is the technique not related to palm grip? it just seems natural that there would be some palm grip in the left hand on a right handed person.
i'm a big guy with big hands, and especially big palms. i wear 2xl gloves. i'm able to work with the fishtail gouges, but i get no feel in my left palm for grip. i am able to apply control from forward force, but i wonder if those with smaller hands get something from the grip. i also wonder if there is another option for larger hands.
is the technique not related to palm grip? it just seems natural that there would be some palm grip in the left hand on a right handed person.
SmokyRick Crawford has reacted to this post.
SmokyRick Crawford@smokyrick
72 Posts
Quote from SmokyRick Crawford on January 28, 2018, 8:56 am
Hello Jason - You could re-handle them if you need. You then could put larger handles on them, giving you more grip length. As for technique, I need to let someone else answer that. Hopefully someone with experience will step in here.
As for having large hands, I knew a man who had not worn gloves since he was 12. His hands were simply too large for anything made. We live in the middle of northern Illinois and it can get to -20° F as a rule in the winter. (Although the global warming has reduced that in the last couple years.) This man has sadly passed since but I will always remember him. Good to bring friends to mind now and again like this.
Hello Jason - You could re-handle them if you need. You then could put larger handles on them, giving you more grip length. As for technique, I need to let someone else answer that. Hopefully someone with experience will step in here.
As for having large hands, I knew a man who had not worn gloves since he was 12. His hands were simply too large for anything made. We live in the middle of northern Illinois and it can get to -20° F as a rule in the winter. (Although the global warming has reduced that in the last couple years.) This man has sadly passed since but I will always remember him. Good to bring friends to mind now and again like this.
Michael Duncan@cedar
57 Posts
Quote from Michael Duncan on January 28, 2018, 1:29 pm
woodcraft sells the swiss pfeil replacement handles in several sizes, incl. fairly lg.
woodcraft sells the swiss pfeil replacement handles in several sizes, incl. fairly lg.
Matthew Mizner@mattm
242 Posts
Quote from Matthew Mizner on January 28, 2018, 4:47 pm
Jason,
The hand not on the handle is mostly for guiding and control of the gouge. You use it for direction and ensuring the gouge doesn’t fly somewhere unwanted if you break through a chunk of wood faster than you planned on. A light grip, sure, but I wouldn’t imagine you need a whole lot of room for using light pressure guiding the gouge. Most of your grip is usually reserved for the hand on the tool handle.
If you are still having troubles and don’t want to re-handle all of your tools, you can switch to a 3-fingered “grip” with your off hand while you are carving. I use this more for the delicate work, but you can use it for any carving really. I can add a pic if you aren’t sure what I mean.
Jason,
The hand not on the handle is mostly for guiding and control of the gouge. You use it for direction and ensuring the gouge doesn’t fly somewhere unwanted if you break through a chunk of wood faster than you planned on. A light grip, sure, but I wouldn’t imagine you need a whole lot of room for using light pressure guiding the gouge. Most of your grip is usually reserved for the hand on the tool handle.
If you are still having troubles and don’t want to re-handle all of your tools, you can switch to a 3-fingered “grip” with your off hand while you are carving. I use this more for the delicate work, but you can use it for any carving really. I can add a pic if you aren’t sure what I mean.
Jason Parsons has reacted to this post.
Jason Parsons@jwynnepar
59 PostsTopic Author
Quote from Jason Parsons on January 28, 2018, 5:04 pm
a pic would be great. i think i've been doing that naturally, as when my hands are side-by-side there isn't much tool left. using my off hand thumb and palm is working for control.
a pic would be great. i think i've been doing that naturally, as when my hands are side-by-side there isn't much tool left. using my off hand thumb and palm is working for control.
Matthew Mizner@mattm
242 Posts
Quote from Matthew Mizner on January 28, 2018, 9:46 pm
No problem, I’ll be doing some carving in the morning and will shoot you a pic...
No problem, I’ll be doing some carving in the morning and will shoot you a pic...
Jason Parsons has reacted to this post.
Matthew Mizner@mattm
242 Posts
Quote from Matthew Mizner on January 29, 2018, 8:51 am
Jason,
This is what I meant by using a finger grip on the metal portion of the gouge. Your right hand will be on the handle...
Jason,
This is what I meant by using a finger grip on the metal portion of the gouge. Your right hand will be on the handle...
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