The Archive

Every article, free, from the bench.

Page 4 of 18. Back to the start of the archive

205 articles in the archive · page 4 of 18

  • In depth

    September 17, 2024

    Why Is It Important to Carve in the Direction of the Grain?

    Hey, buddy! When you carve wood, it’s super important to carve in the direction of the grain. This way, your tools glide smoothly and you avoid splintering or tearing the wood. It makes carving easier and leads to a nicer, polished finish. Trust me, fighting the grain is like swimming upstream—super frustrating!!!

  • In depth

    September 17, 2024

    What to know before starting wood carving

    Design before carving, sharpening that never ends, a 2x4 that punishes you, and two weeks of sore hands. The expectations I wish somebody had set for me at the beginning.

  • WOOD for Wood Carving

    September 16, 2024

    Is Yellow Box Good for Carving?

  • WOOD for Wood Carving

    September 16, 2024

    Is Boxwood Good for Carving?

  • In depth

    September 16, 2024

    Where Can I Find Inspiration and Community for Wood Carving?

    Reddit, a club evening, a folk school, a juried show in Iowa. Ranked by how fast a real person answers back.

  • In depth

    September 15, 2024

    Fun Side of Wood Carving

    Four hours go past and you never feel them go. Here is what the fun actually is, when it shows up, and what the research says about your brain meanwhile.

  • Everything above is free and stays free. The courses are where I put your hands on the gouge and watch what they do.

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  • In depth

    September 15, 2024

    Why is wood carving difficult, and which skill is the real wall

    Beginners think the hard part is the hand holding the gouge. It is the edge, then the grain, then the depth you cannot put back. Named in order, with honest timings.

  • WOOD for Wood Carving

    September 12, 2024

    Is Box elder Good for Carving?

  • WOOD for Wood Carving

    September 12, 2024

    Is Grey Box Good for Carving?

  • In depth

    September 9, 2024

    Which Woods Are Hard to Carve, and Why the Hardness Chart Does Not Say

    Hardness, machinability and tear-out are three different properties, and only the first one is on the chart. Nine species with their Janka figures and their own reference's verdict on working them.

  • In depth

    September 9, 2024

    What is needed to carve wood?

    Four gouges, a mallet, one clamp, a strop and a basswood board. A master carver lays out the kit that really carves, and names the item beginners always skip.

  • In depth

    September 9, 2024

    How To Carve Wood?

    How to carve wood in six moves. Sharpen, clamp it down, draw, read the grain, go straight down, take the waste out last.