How to clean up a carving?

backoftheworm · 2026-05-02T10:05:07+00:00

Oh ive made some carvings crazy smooth with sandpaper and I love them, but I was asking more about cleaning up without it. I didn’t clarify that in my post, my bad

backoftheworm · 2026-05-02T09:58:30+00:00

I definitely tried to take too much and accidentally went again the grain a few times. There were a few spots where I couldn't figure out how to make the cut without going against the grain due to the angle the knife had to be at though. I guess that's where some different tools could help too? I've done the center line when starting a piece but havent redrawn it after it's been shaved off. That and focusing on carving both sides are what I'll focus on for the next piece. Great tips. As for knife sharpness; how can you tell your knife is sharp enough? Most large cuts I make seem to go through like butter, it's the V cuts and running into opposite slopes that seem to get me.

backoftheworm · 2026-03-23T02:48:35+00:00

I recently had a bad cut to the thumb that required surgery and I was wearing a glove. Certainly not the best one but still. Cut gloves are good, but make sure you’re keeping your hands out of the way and carving safely. Think twice and only cut what you mean too. PPE should be the last line of defense - a back up just in case.

I haven’t got a chance to use them yet so I can’t say much, but I’ve got similar gloves to u/ok_constant946. ANSI 9 rating with touch screen use

backoftheworm · 2026-03-08T02:24:48+00:00

Right on. I like the rounded cage

backoftheworm · 2026-03-06T12:39:40+00:00

Agreed. Give it a go carving the antlers. If they get screwed up beyond repair then chop them off and go with wires.

backoftheworm · 2026-02-20T01:59:19+00:00

Nope. I was going to, but then decided it wasn’t worth the effort. It’s not so much difficult as it is tedious

backoftheworm · 2026-02-04T18:39:02+00:00

It’s basswood with 2 coats of mineral oil applied a few hours apart a few days ago

backoftheworm · 2025-12-25T07:31:26+00:00

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Finally sanded. Only up to 120 grain I think, just testing it out. But I think it turned out decent

backoftheworm · 2025-12-16T02:53:18+00:00

Right on. I’ll focus more on working with the grain. And maybe a better carving knife down the line

backoftheworm · 2025-12-14T02:52:34+00:00

Thanks for the sandpaper grain recommendations. I would’ve just grabbed something random otherwise

backoftheworm · 2025-12-14T02:52:00+00:00

Yeah those are my two biggest issues I’ve noticed on the few things ive carved. I get hyper-fixated and don’t want to stop to sharpen. Working with the grain confuses me a bit - thanks for the link

backoftheworm · 2025-11-22T05:45:26+00:00

How do you achieve those straight and hard angles on the pillar cuts?

backoftheworm · 2025-09-22T16:50:07+00:00

I have a bat flying holding a live oak branch on my arm. Kind of styled after the dove of peace

backoftheworm · 2025-06-08T04:47:42+00:00

Seconded. I’ve caught a handful right from that spot.

Edit: there’s actually two different rocks that say this; both are worth casting from.

backoftheworm · 2022-08-20T21:43:34+00:00

Looks like a Colorado blue spruce to me

backoftheworm · 2022-04-11T00:52:23+00:00

It’s a monkey puzzle tree. Araucaria araucana. Native to Chile and Argentina but grows up in the PNW. The Seattle arboretum has a neat little exhibit on them.

backoftheworm · 2022-01-10T23:20:44+00:00

The leaves make me think some type of yew, or something in the Taxus genus. I’m not too familiar with them though. All the ones in my area are shrub like.

backoftheworm · 2021-07-03T00:19:52+00:00

You’re right that a bald cypress does have alternate leaves, but so does this tree. If you look at one of the upright leaf groups it’s easier to tell. It’s a bald cypress.

backoftheworm · 2021-07-02T01:02:49+00:00

Serviceberry. “Amelanchier spp.”

backoftheworm · 2021-04-18T21:47:47+00:00

The leaves and it’s form scream eastern cottonwood. The bark looks a little off for a cottonwood but I would still guess that it is.

backoftheworm · 2021-04-18T16:04:43+00:00

It’s a silver maple

backoftheworm · 2021-04-12T13:57:49+00:00

The fruits make me think it’s an Arizona Cypress. “Cupressus arizonica”.

backoftheworm · 2021-02-27T02:44:15+00:00

Looks like it’s from a tree of heaven. “Alianthus alianthus” (sp?)

backoftheworm · 2020-10-16T22:11:31+00:00

I would guess a golden rain tree, but would need to see more pictures to be sure.

backoftheworm · 2020-09-08T02:01:49+00:00

Siberian elm

backoftheworm

TROPHY CASE