Whittling, Carving Wood, Chip Carving, Relief Carving, and Power Carving

Wood Whittling Basics If you have a knife and some wood you can begin carving wood. Whittling can be an enjoyable way to make a quick simple project, but can also be used to make true works of art. The hobby of Whittling is typically performed with a small knife blade, generally a knife is used. Whittling knives can now be purchase which have thick handles for a better grip which allow accurate control.

Fundamentals of Chip Carving

Chip carving is a style of carving in which knives or chisels are used to remove small chips of the material from a flat surface in a single piece. Chip carving is a relatively easy form of carving they is often use to decorate furniture. Chip carving is much faster than other forms of carving and allows a new carver to practice individuals cuts before diving in on a project. If you are looking for a practical way to get into carving, chip carving may be it.

Power Wood Carving

Power wood carving allows carvers to use specialize power tools to complete they projects. A purest will not recognize this as “true” carving, but from anyone concern with efficiency power carving is a must. Power carving can also be a godsend for a carver that does not have the hand strength to complete carvings. No one only uses a knife for carving anymore, Instead, especially powered carving tools, especially rotary cutting tools with bits for specialize carving needs are use. A carving can be complete with only power tools or a combination of tradition chisels and knifes and power tools.

High and Low Relief Carving

Relief carving has historically been the primary form of decorative carving. There is still a strong market for both high and low relief carvings for decorating items and wall hangings. Relief carving is done onto a flat wood board, with the board cutaway from the carved object. The object is only partial cut from the board, as opposed to "in the round" carving were the object is cut completely from the board.

Introduction to Carving Woods

There are a number of woods for carving, and a number that are not. There are a handful of popular types to carve, and a number that will give you a specific look. Learning which is best for different carving will increase the quality of your finished piece. The most common woods used for carving are Basswood and Tupelo. Both hardwoods, and easy to carver. Oak, Mahogany, Walnut Pine and Maple are often used depending on the variety and what is locally available.

Fundamentals of Woods for Carving

What makes a piece of wood a good candidate for a specific carving, and what makes it a piece of scrap wood? Know what piece of wood will be good for any specific type or style of carving. And which wood to not even bother. The wood medium limits a carvers work to the structure of the wood piece. Wood is layer and grained differently in every direction and become part of the design of the finished object.