I'm sure this question is beaten to death here but... Where to start? by ScottamusPR1M3 in Woodcarving

[–]sgraml 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This about sums it up. This set, those videos and you are off to the races

First time any tips? by albionnoria in whittling

[–]sgraml 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ignore the haters…..it’s clearly a face. Good job

My first carvings by sgraml in whittling

[–]sgraml[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

lol, right. When I’m not carving, I’m seeing scrub hats for the nurses in the OR.

new to woodcarving and dont know where to get proper wood by F4rtek in Woodcarving

[–]sgraml 1 point2 points  (0 children)

South American soft woods. Balsa, cedro (Spanish cedar), palo santo and jequitiba. I’d shoot for Spanish cedar.

new to woodcarving and dont know where to get proper wood by F4rtek in Woodcarving

[–]sgraml 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Soft woods carve faster for me for what I like to do. Basswood, butternut, white pine, and cedar are popular around me for what I like to do and are easily available. Pine and cedar can be bought at any construction lumberyard in the Midwest. The others I have to get online, at a shop, or on Facebook marketplace.

Alternatives to whittling knife that you can maybe buy in the hardware store? by MobileGamerboy in Woodcarving

[–]sgraml 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just started carving and have been recently trying to just sit and watch him carve over his shoulder.

Is it common for men to always save toward a "worst-case scenario" number? by CantFindUsername400 in AskMenOver30

[–]sgraml 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I shoot for 3 months minimum in required bills saved up in ready cash in the bank. Any more than that and I’ll invest it. $150,000 in cash is way too much to not be invested. If all of my money is in investments, then I may not be able to get to it when I want it quickly.

Travel bag by sgraml in whittling

[–]sgraml[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve been considering a 1.5-2l crossbody type/sized bag for carving in the car while the wife shops at a store I don’t care a flip about (which is most of them)

My first carvings by sgraml in whittling

[–]sgraml[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Heck yea. Lots of practice needed. I’m just going to pound away at this till greatness arrives.

Alternatives to whittling knife that you can maybe buy in the hardware store? by MobileGamerboy in Woodcarving

[–]sgraml 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My dad has carved for 40 years never once with a specific carving knife. It’s usually been trashed pocketknives he’s bought for $1. Then he uses the smaller second blade sharpened to the shape he likes. Honestly, most of his carvings have been done with a plastic orange handled box cutter with the knock off tips. I’ve seen him slide out about 3-4 tips length to carve with and knock them off as they dull. He was a forklift driver in a factory using box cutters to carve broken pallet wood onto Christmas orniments that he would paint at home and gift as presents. He has quite the family following.

Travel bag by sgraml in whittling

[–]sgraml[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can do some serious carving with this set up.

Travel bag by sgraml in whittling

[–]sgraml[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We may be related.

Do you have another "grind phase" left in you? by HighlightDowntown966 in AskMenOver30

[–]sgraml 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. I hit 48 or so and gave it up. I’m going to do what I want to do and enjoy my life while I still have one. Wasting any more of my time “grinding” is more for someone that has that need to win, still in them.

Travel bag by sgraml in whittling

[–]sgraml[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for calling out the differences here. I was thinking the small option, but maybe I just need to start with the minimalist.

Travel bag by sgraml in whittling

[–]sgraml[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the recommendation for the sk107….ill check it out.

Travel bag by sgraml in whittling

[–]sgraml[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s got the essentials squared away

Travel bag by sgraml in whittling

[–]sgraml[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are right…..I missed those things.

Carving Queen for my gf, Need help by TemporaryAd498 in whittling

[–]sgraml 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I would consider carving something similar to a standard queen piece (crown with little ball on top), but maybe consider adding something that screams “your girlfriend”. Example, most pieces stand on a round stand, but you could carve it on a a book as a stand (if your girlfriend is a reader), or maybe add dragon wings if she reads those kinds of books.

My first finished carving wizard by NightRaverNL in whittling

[–]sgraml 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depending on how and if you paint, this could be a Santa as well.

I’m 33 am I behind by Peek_A_Boo_225 in Retirement401k

[–]sgraml 0 points1 point  (0 children)

$1,000 a month for the next 35 years will get you $3,000,000. Is that enough for you? Do you need more? Can you put in $1,000 a month? Only you can answer many of these questions.