Mary are you using a 3/3mm fishtail or straight gouge? Hard to see. I prefer to get fishtail gouges in general, but since it seems that the 3/3mm is more frequently used I was thinking on getting the pfeil brand as opposed to the mastercarver brand, which i sometimes get as well. Problem is pfeil doesn't have 3/3mm fishtail, and mastercarver does. Have you noticed any real quality in steel difference? I know the pfeil are prettier and shiny, but I couldn't really care less about that, more about functionality.
Him Mike,
I do know that my #3, 3mm does not come in fishtail. For most of the European brands, the fishtails start at 6mm. I purchased one of the Mastercarver brand tools from Woodcarver's Supply and I was surprised that it held a very good edge. They are a good price, but as you said - not so pretty. I don't really like their handles either. But then again, you can get stuck on a certain shaped handle, certain look to the tools, when the main quality that is really important with carving is that it holds a good edge - and the Mastercarver tools do - at least the one I tested.
I just posted my finished carving in the student galleries - I did my carving in pine - which had all sorts of challenges associated with it including its softness - but what I liked best was finishing the carving with Danish Oil which really brought out the details. Maybe after I gain some more experience I might be able to justify investment in a nice hardwood. Now that I have completed two projects its probably time to look at the "how to sharpen" lessons....
Scott, The basket carving is really beautiful - and in pine! Yikes. I avoid carving in pine if I can help it. It can have alternating wood segments - spongy, then very dense - spongy, then very dense.
Yeah - carving first and then sharpening is sort of backwards - but hey, if it works...
I am new to relief carving. You can tell by the many bandaids I proudly display. I was looking forward to seeing more on basic finishing especially using wax. Your guest referred to staining/tinting and using wax. I have done only 6 carvings to date and am getting tired of messing up hours of work by trying to finish them. I just signed up to your website and am looking forward to your instruction and inspiration. Do you have a lesson on how to get blood stains out of basswood? - Tommy G
Hi Tom,
Well, the blood stains truly prove that it is hand carved. You have definitely become a part of your carving!
I am working with Dan Hamilton on getting more lessons that go to the next step of putting a finish on carvings. I too have stayed away from finishing because of the fear of destroying something that I have worked so hard on. Working with Dan has caused me to relax a little and not be so terrified of it. Stay tuned... more to come.
I enjoyed this as celtic knots are something I am trying to do, my main problem is only having the use of one hand, I cannot switch hands but I manage with perseverance.Where you use a mallet I use a power carver ,which is one handed the rest is done copying you by hand.
Your site is excellent and your teaching is magic,if I lived over in the U.S I would come for lessons
Hello Robert,
Thanks! Great idea about the power carver (I do have several and use them when I really want to take a lot of wood away quickly). Do you use the one with the reciprocating chisel? They often work better than dremels.
You also may want to consider using shorter palm gouges. If you only have the use of one hand, they can be easier to control.
Power carver with chisels (proxxon) and the chisels are flexcut with palm handles. I did notice the plaster that is common with me, fortunately I have a good supply,my carvings are not quite the same without some of my blood on them.I have completed the camellia as per your video so even at 70 yrs old I can still make progress. Thank you. Bob
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