Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:01:02 -0500
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Woodcarving


When I carve, I always keep my work in a vice or some kind of hold- 
down (a piece of scrap wood screwed to the back of the work piece,  
then clamped to my workbench) and keep both hands behind the blade.  
My right hand is usually the power stroke and my left hand guides the  
chisel.  A block of wood screwed to the bench to act as a stop is  
also a great way to immobilize the work. I have a regular iron vice  
bolted to my bench, but I replaced the iron jaws with oak ones that  
are wrapped in leather.

Essential accessories for keeping your chisels sharp are a few  
Arkansas stones with honing oil, a strop with jeweler's rouge and a  
slip-stone for the gouges and v-parting tools. Any decent woodcarving  
shop will have what you need, or go to http://www.woodcraft.com for  
special items. Sharpening is the most difficult part about carving  
and it's also the most tedious. Patience is the only other thing you  
need while sharpening. Once you've mastered this skill, you can carve  
anything!

The best thing is to start small, gain experience and add tools as  
you feel you need them.

Good Luck!

David Syrotiak
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