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    Intermediate Guide to Whittling: 15 Secrets Wood Carvers Should Know to Get Better
    Intermediate Guide to Whittling: 15 Secrets Wood Carvers Should Know to Get Better
    Intermediate Guide to Whittling: 15 Secrets Wood Carvers Should Know to Get Better
    Ebook175 pages1 hour

    Intermediate Guide to Whittling: 15 Secrets Wood Carvers Should Know to Get Better

    By Ryan Feldman

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    About this ebook

    Take Your Wood Carving Skills To The Next Level: Discover The Carving Techniques And Tips That Professional Carvers Don't Like To Share

     

    Do you enjoy whittling, but feel like you're ready to try out some more advanced wood carving techniques?

     

    Are you stumped by the huge variety of carving tools, not being able to tell the difference between a gouge and a chisel?

     

    Are you ready to expand your toolbox with advanced wood carving equipment, but don't know where to start?

     

    Whittling, and wood carving in general, is an extremely beneficial craft hobby.

     

    It lowers stress and blood pressure, supports mindfulness, trains concentration, and reconnects you with nature, leaving you calm and relaxed.

     

    But wood carving can also be a useful and valuable hobby.

     

    Once you get the hang of it, you can create beautiful pieces to decorate your home with, carve unique gifts for your family and friends, and even furnish your house with stylish wooden furniture.

     

    To top it all off, wood carving is an inexpensive hobby, and many intricate pieces can be crafted on a budget with just a few basic tools.

     

    But the simplicity of whittling and other carving techniques can be deceiving.

     

    This is a complex craft, especially if you're looking to upgrade your skills and explore some more elaborate techniques and equipment.

     

    In Intermediate Guide to Whittling, you will discover:

     

    • A 'how-to' on 4 wood carving techniques -- incised carving, chip carving, intaglio, and relief carving, suitable for both beginners and advanced carvers
    • Dozens of projects that cover all the techniques, including advanced whittling patterns to help you progress and upgrade your skills
    • Advanced carving tools you'll need in order to explore different carving techniques, from detail knives to V-tools and veiners
    • A guide on carving accessories that professionals use to carve their masterpieces
    • Why getting familiar with the anatomy of wood will make you a better carver, and how to avoid the "splitting the grain" mistake all carvers dread
    • Which sharpening stones to use to keep your tools in top shape, including the pros and cons of each one
    • A full list of surface and penetrating finishes: you'll find out their properties, how to use them, and when NOT to use them to avoid classic beginner's mistakes

     

    And much more!

     

    Even though we're mostly talking about intermediate or advanced wood carving here, beginners will have no trouble keeping up.

     

    That even goes for someone who has never held a pocket knife in their hands -- soon you'll be able to create masterful art pieces with just a little practice by your side.

     

    If you're looking to upgrade your wood carving skills or are searching for a fun, relaxing hobby, then scroll up and add this book to your cart!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCraftMills Publishing LLC
    Release dateDec 7, 2020
    ISBN9781393609766
    Intermediate Guide to Whittling: 15 Secrets Wood Carvers Should Know to Get Better

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      Book preview

      Intermediate Guide to Whittling - Ryan Feldman

      Intermediate Guide to Whittling

      15 Secrets Woodcarvers Should Know to Get Better

      Ryan Feldman

      © Copyright 2020 - All rights reserved.

      The content contained within this book may not be reproduced, duplicated or transmitted without direct written permission from the author or the publisher.

      Under no circumstances will any blame or legal responsibility be held against the publisher, or author, for any damages, reparation, or monetary loss due to the information contained within this book, either directly or indirectly.

      Legal Notice:

      This book is copyright protected. It is only for personal use. You cannot amend, distribute, sell, use, quote or paraphrase any part, or the content within this book, without the consent of the author or publisher.

      Disclaimer Notice:

      Please note the information contained within this document is for educational and entertainment purposes only. All effort has been executed to present accurate, up to date, reliable, complete information. No warranties of any kind are declared or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaged in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. The content within this book has been derived from various sources. Please consult a licensed professional before attempting any techniques outlined in this book.

      By reading this document, the reader agrees that under no circumstances is the author responsible for any losses, direct or indirect, that are incurred as a result of the use of the information contained within this document, including, but not limited to, errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.

      Table of Contents

      Introduction

      Chapter 1: Incised and Chip Carving Techniques

      Incised Carving

      Essential Tools

      Practical Tips

      Project: Grab the Bull by the Horns

      Chip Carving

      Essential Tools

      Hand Positions

      Practical Tips

      Project: Practice makes Perfect

      Chapter 2: Intaglio and Relief Carving

      Intaglio Carving

      Essential Tools

      Intaglio Carving Fundamentals

      Single Pass Trough

      Double Pass Center Ridge

      Square-Sided Trough

      Single Pass Ellipse

      Multiple Pass Ellipse

      Cup

      Globe Cut

      Project: Sailing the Seas

      Relief Carving

      Essential Tools

      Relief Cuts

      Project: Alphabet

      Chapter 3: Upgrade Your Tools

      Knives

      Chip Carving Knives

      Stab Knives

      Detail Knives

      Hook Knives

      Chisels

      Flat Chisel

      Skew Chisel

      Fishtail Chisel

      Gouges

      Three Basic Cuts

      Size and Sweep

      Spoon Gouge

      V-Type Gouge

      U-Type

      Veiners

      V-Tools

      Chapter 4: Accessorize Your Workshop

      Carving Mallet

      Files

      Rasps

      Needle Files

      Rifflers

      Microplanes

      Filing Styles

      Clamping Devices

      Carver’s Vise

      Carver’s Arm

      Machinist’s Vise

      Alligator Clips

      Web Clamp

      Rubber Bands

      C, Spring, Quick-Change, and Toggle Clamps

      Bar and Pipe Clamps

      Chapter 5: Know Your Wood

      Parts of a Tree Trunk

      Outer Bark

      Inner Bark

      Cambium Cell Layer

      Sapwood

      Heartwood

      Understanding Wood Behavior

      Pith

      Annual Rings

      Vessels and Rays

      Wood Grain

      Working With The Grain

      Good Woods for Carving

      Cherry

      Maple

      Mahogany

      Tupelo

      Chapter 6: Know the Sharpening Stones

      Oil Stones

      Diamond Stones

      Water Stones

      Ceramic Stones

      Arkansas Stones

      Chapter 7: Finish it the Right Way

      Surface Finishes

      Varnish

      Water-Based Varnish

      Shellac

      Lacquer

      Paste Wax

      Stain

      Penetrating Finishes

      Linseed Oil

      Danish Oil

      Teak Oil

      Tung Oil

      Mineral Oil

      Walnut Oil

      Chapter 8: Get to Work

      Happy Mouse

      Instructions

      Coaster Set

      Instructions

      Bottle Holder

      Instructions

      Decorative Box

      Instructions

      Wall Sign

      Instructions

      Flower Panel

      Instructions

      Scallop Shell Paperweight

      Instructions

      Bird on a Branch

      Instructions

      Portrait with a Border

      Instructions

      Birdhouse

      Requirements

      Instructions

      Conclusion

      References

      Introduction

      I grabbed the mallet from its spot on the wall and marched back outside. After securing the wood to the table, I carefully held the chisel in one hand and swung the mallet. It connected to the back of the chisel with a dull thud and I marveled at how easily the chip came away from the piece. Swing for swing, I carved out a new design with a newfound confidence in my skills. I was proud of myself: No longer did I just whittle; a whole new world of possibilities opened in front of my eyes.

      ***

      Whittling has always been my first love and saving grace. As far back as I can remember, I walked through the forests of the Pacific Northwest searching for sticks to create a masterpiece with nothing more than a simple pocket knife. I loved finding a new piece of wood and imagining the possibilities. For a while, I lost my way getting caught up in drugs and petty crimes until I found my way back to my home and wood. Truly, woodcarving saved my life and got me back onto the straight and narrow.

      Wood remains ever-present in my life today, both as a career and a hobby. I consider myself to be a lumberjack and forged a career in carpentry where I build homes. On the side, I practice my hobby, woodcarving, and have started earning a sizable income from doing what I love. Now, I want to share my passion and knowledge with you!

      So you already know the basics of whittling and now your fingers are itching to try more techniques. Yet, you may wonder what the difference is between whittling and woodcarving. Whittling is a specific technique within wood carving, which mainly uses basic knives and handheld pieces of wood. It is a basic technique, so I am going to empower you with everything you need to know to take your hobby to the next level.

      Carving is a source of joy to the artist...To attack the raw material, gradually to extract a shape out of it following one’s own desire, or, sometimes, the inspiration of the material itself: this gives the sculptor great joy. - Aristide Maillol.

      The quote above shows the joy that wood carving can bring to a person while giving insight into the process. The wood is a blank canvas that can become the masterpiece of your imagination. Are you ready to bring out your artistic side and express yourself through learning new techniques? Yes? Great! I am with you every step of the way.

      In this book, I am going to take your skills one step further by introducing new wood carving techniques. Many whittlers get bored with the basic designs and start experimenting with other cuts and tools. Intricate designs and larger pieces become an aspirational goal, however, a lack of knowledge prevents you from creating matching artwork. The techniques I show throughout the book will expand your repertoire while using many of the tools you already have in your workshop. These techniques are an extension of whittling and do not require specialized tools, although I will present some options for expanding your collection.

      There are 15 secrets to wood carving that I share with you throughout this book. These secrets are important elements of wood carving and many provide motivation to improve your skills. These secrets address all types of things including new techniques, the best tools for a specific job, and how to use wood and make proper cuts. Additional secrets consider sharpening stones, wood finishes, and practical wood carving tips. So, without further ado, here is the first secret you should know:

      Secret 1: Woodcarving isn’t a craft that relies only on skill and technique. It’s incredibly important for a carver to have patience. Rushing and getting frustrated because things are not going the way they should will truly get you nowhere. You need to make mistakes, you have to damage and break many pieces of wood until you become fully proficient.

      A few hours of wood carving each week can change your life and has so many benefits. Wood carving is a calming activity, which reduces stress, improves your breathing, and lowers your blood pressure. The more you focus on the rhythmic cuts, the more your mind settles and your body soon releases dopamine, a feel-good hormone. Working with wood creates a connection between you and nature, which is food for the soul. It is an activity away from technological influence where you can set your mind free and let creativity blossom. The feeling of pride upon finishing a piece is incomparable to anything else;

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