Wood whiddlers?

[silverking]

Any whittlers here? I would like to try my hand at this and have a few questions.

1. Is there any forums you have found that discuss this hobby?

2. Is there a accepted primary tool that most would use that is widely availible somewhere? Or do you have a favorite knife you could post a pic of?

3. I have Hickory, Red Oak, Maple and Poplar readily availible, is one of these better than the others?

Thanks,

 

[hitekcountry]

I have Hickory, Red Oak, Maple and Poplar

Thanks,

I've not used any of these for carving but poplar would be easier to work than oak or maple, I know nothing about hickory. The wood I used for carving was Bass wood it is softer and its grain doesn't fight you like some woods will.

I used chisels, I'm not sure where they are anymore. I think some people also use dremal tools. I guess you would call that sculpting more then carving.

I only have one piece left, the other I gave away. This one I messed up the nose and I cheated a little with wood putty.

I did this one in 93. I would consider myself just a beginner and probably not much help.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Done lot of it in my former years. Used grafting knife mainly, but some chisels are handy - like round chisel for spoons for instance. Linden is a popular choice overseas. It is soft wood and it almost does not crack while drying. I would seek tools and advice here:

Woodworking tools, supplies, plans, projects, accessories, articles and more - Woodcraft.com

 

[forgeblast]

use soft wood, start with basswood if you can fine. Poplar might not be too bad. Pine would be great also.
Keep your knife sharp, a dull knife cuts more people then a sharp one. You end up pressing too hard and slip. A good pair of leather gloves, or those slip over thumb protectors are good for holding the piece as you work it.
there are different types of wood carving, some do chip carving where you score and chip out pieces of wood. some do the whittling of cages and chains. some people carve ducks, birds, fish etc. and some do the whirlgigs. There is a lot out there.
As for a quality knife, i like a fixed blade that is slightly curved, you will see them if you do a search for chip carving supplies. what ever knife you get get a good quality sharpeing set you should be able to just shave the wood off.
Its a whole lot of fun, I used to teach it at the boy scout camp i worked at.
I got into carving the chains, and ball in a box. The main thing is planning and using a soft wood.
good luck
forgeblast

 

[Egon]

Lee valley has a terrific assortment of wood carving sculpting tools. Every time I look at the catalogue I drool even though I dont carve.

 

[Soundguy]

I wood carve, and use the multi blade type kits.. some inside curves.. some outside curves, some chissles.. etc.

Out of your list.. poplar will be the easiest.. Any soft but tight grain wood will be good. bass wood is what i have used as well.

The hard woods like hickory will be, IMHO harder to learn on.

Softer woods.. like spruce and balsam are easy to learn on.. but hte soft grain does not led to fine detail as much.. though you certainly can still do some nice stuff with balsam... I've made many a bird.. both full life and sillouhette type poses using it. Patience is the key.. also new sharp blades. Dull blades will cut you as you have to force them...

Soundguy

 

[Richard]

The Hopi Indians (with their Kachina Dolls) use cottonwood roots.

Kachina Dolls

 

[mwechtal]

Any whittlers here? I would like to try my hand at this and have a few questions.

2. Is there a accepted primary tool that most would use that is widely availible somewhere? Or do you have a favorite knife you could post a pic of?

3. I have Hickory, Red Oak, Maple and Poplar readily availible, is one of these better than the others?

Thanks,

The FlexCut KN12 is my favorite, because the blade is so thin. There are many knives with this basic blade shape though.
Flexcut Wood Carving Knives

Poplar isn't too bad, but I would suggest getting some basswood for a first try. Butternut is also very good. Hickory, Oak, or Maple are going to require chisels and mallets, or power tools.

Mike

 

[1bush2hog]

The flex cut Pelican is marketed as a 'whittling knife'. My knives are older and I haven't had time to use them in a few years, but like others would recommend one that is a fixed blade and also feels good in your hand. Get a good quality knife and keep it sharp.

Basswood is good wood to start out with too. I used to buy block sections of wood and then just cut off sized pieces from these to carve. Mahogony is also a nice wood to carve, even though it is harder, it makes for some rich looking carvings.

Not sure if you are just whittling walking sticks, or carving objects, but the woods you mention have a more prevalent grain, which can be tricky to work with. Poplar has a soft center too, which can be tough to work with.

Hickory is easier to work when green, IMO, and pine works good for relief carving.

Good luck and keep a few bandaids in your pocket

Here is a link from one of my favorite stores to buy quality supplies Woodworking Supplies at Highland Woodworking - Tools for Woodworking

And here is where you can find just about any wood you want from balsam wood to the exotics Carlton McLendon, Inc. Rare Woods And Veneers

 

[Ken]

There is a National wood carving association.
E-mail nwca@chipchats.org or web site
They have a monthly a very good publication.and a non profit org.

As to carving use what ever works a pocket knife with blade broken off to 1 inch and stone to keep sharp.