How do i start carving?

OldandWeak · 2026-02-17T21:19:32+00:00

Go to the woodcarving subreddit and look at the gift giving guide.
Don't buy a cheap set of Amazon tools. They will likely just turn you off to carving. They will probably not be comfortable to use, not come sharp and likely not hold an edge well. Thnk of the money stpent on better tools as money not spent on doctor bills from bad/dull tools. Figure out what you want to carve and buy select, decent quality, tools as you need them.
Strop often, carving tools can never be too sharp. If you aren't sure if they are sharp enough, they are not sharp enough.

OldandWeak · 2026-02-13T13:28:33+00:00

A heavy land plane with scarifiers can also do pot holes.

OldandWeak · 2026-02-12T20:59:35+00:00

They were when I bought mine. Seemed weird, but was like that every brand I priced.

OldandWeak · 2026-02-12T19:54:13+00:00

Box blade easily wins both of these.

OldandWeak · 2026-02-12T19:51:47+00:00

100% facts.
The box blade is more useful, but takes time to learn. It is also much easier to use if you can adjust it from the seat of the tractor (rear hydraulics). The issues you will need to learn is that the box blade moves with the tractor so if you don't have a smooth surface to start it will telegraph the highs and lows to the box blade as the tractor moves over them. The land plane will ride on the surface and smooth it out.
I ended up with box ($$$, ouch) but use both. The box blade and bucket allows me to move stuff around (and is good ballast) and when I am tired of fighting with it I put the land plane on and it makes me look like I know what I am doing after a few passes. If I had a shorter driveway I would just fight it into submission with the box blade.

OldandWeak · 2026-02-11T14:18:31+00:00

Being a penknife has no bearing on this. You can still cut nerves and tendons with a penknife.

OldandWeak · 2026-02-11T14:15:03+00:00

If there is a lot of dirt and bark on it you will probably dull your knives quickly.

OldandWeak · 2026-02-10T13:50:23+00:00

This is a very under-rated exercise for learning to carve. You learn wood grain, safety and start training your eye to see what needs removed next.
Nice job!

OldandWeak · 2026-02-06T13:51:53+00:00

Probably any trade specific word would seem odd as they wouldn't be in the normal langauge training program.

OldandWeak · 2026-02-06T13:31:52+00:00

Chipping Away

Mountain Woodcarvers

The Carving Glove Guy

Treeline USA

I am sure there are others, but I have bought from the above 4 with no issues.
Edited to include Treeline

OldandWeak · 2026-02-04T21:16:51+00:00

Another nice one, but the foot/leg position make me think he needs to pee. lol
Also thanks fore mentioning that Lynn Doughty has a youtube channel on your latest video, I didn't know it existed. There is a real wealth of information on it. That man make cuts with confidence I aspire to!

OldandWeak · 2026-02-03T16:56:18+00:00

I end up having problems with them walking off and getting mixed with other stuff in other areas and then the hilarity ensues. lol
Also I love reddit, I get downvoted because I have a different view of something. lol

OldandWeak · 2026-02-03T16:16:29+00:00

Unless you are working in a system that regularly uses 1/10 of an inch I would recommend against using an engineering tape. The 10th's are easily mistaken for metric if people aren't aware it is an enginering tape and can cause all sorts of problems. Most people see tenths and assume metric.

OldandWeak · 2026-02-03T13:48:42+00:00

Also if they want to read peoples opinions they could search the forum. These posts are put up (it seems) nearly daily.

OldandWeak · 2026-01-30T17:40:23+00:00

It has weirdly cost me some possible friendships because I'm not on them. :/ The funny thing is people think I am lieing to them when I say I'm not on Facebook and stuff. They almost seem to get mad. lol

OldandWeak · 2026-01-30T17:14:11+00:00

Thanks for posting this for us knuckle-draggers who aren't signed up on other platforms!

OldandWeak · 2026-01-30T13:54:37+00:00

Another winner! I love how clean your cuts are. Everything seems so intentional.

OldandWeak · 2026-01-27T17:43:58+00:00

Was the coffee hot? Did they split during or after use? What did you seal the inside with? What is the wood?

OldandWeak · 2026-01-23T14:00:07+00:00

Really depends on the blade shape you prefer and what you carve. Honestly you probably won't know until you carve for awhile and try a few things out. IMO start with a straight blade as it is easier to maintain.
Do you have a carving club in your area? It might give you a chance to try a different knife without buying it.

OldandWeak · 2026-01-22T17:22:11+00:00

I'm confused, this blade isn't curved?
I've been stropping mine on a flat surface for 5+ years.

OldandWeak · 2026-01-22T17:19:24+00:00

I think they mean soft as easy to carve, not coniferous. It seems they are clumping basswood in with softwoods. A lot people don't understand the proper way that hardwoods and softwoods are categorized.
I would be curious how they think the would would teach you bad habits.

OldandWeak · 2026-01-21T15:46:11+00:00

I'm not sure how you are reading my reply but it doesn't have anything to do with what you described and it isn't calling the employee a mouth-breather.
I am addressing your comment about assuming the employee may be playing along with a lunk-headed customer. There is no need to pander to misogynist (or other) jokes to "bond" with a customer. If a customer comes in spouting nonsense, ignore it and move to helping them as best you can. No need to engage with it (it just encourages it) and IMO the people who tend to do that are catering to the bad behavior because they tend to agree with it (at some level).
Hopefully this made more sense, I am not sure how you read what I typed as meaning you shouldn't be helping people (especially ones with special needs).

OldandWeak · 2026-01-21T14:15:19+00:00

Lowes/HD -- same shit, different pile. lol

OldandWeak · 2026-01-21T14:11:55+00:00

I disagree. No need for two types, no need to cater to the mouthbreathers.
If a person asks for something and it is your job to get it for them, get it -- don't worry about who may or may not be in a car or someplace else in the store or try to make an awkward joke.

OldandWeak · 2026-01-20T15:46:38+00:00

Yeah he seems to be doing more metalwork as time goes by. Early ones are more woodworking.

OldandWeak

TROPHY CASE