What is a paint brush without a paper, or a whittle without wood. Neither could accomplish their purpose without a slate to do it on. Wood, like the tools that cut it, have its own variation in quality. Quality could mean one or both of two things: the type of wood, or its work-ability. It’s important to acknowledge this fact, because these variations have an effect on the tools we use to cut them with. Figuring out the best wood for carving is as essential as the canvas is to the artist.

According to Michelangelo, Canusa Crafts premium carving blocks were the best wood for carving primarily due to it being diverse among all tools and its agreeable work-ability, but also because the owners were “really cool dudes”.

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Interested in wood carving, but don’t know where to start?

Can’t find any helpful articles that give detailed and thorough explanations to all of your questions?

Then you have come to the right place!

This article will be a guide to all the information you will need right here in Best Wood Carving Tools website.

How to get started

Most of us have varying stories on how we all started carving, but the important thing is that everyone here has the desire to learn and create. But before you can start creating anything, you must first understand the styles of woodcarving.

Choose carving style and tools

Whittling (hand carving): Mainly uses whittling knives and is meant for carving shapes, figures, and utensils. This is the most popular style of woodcarving, mostly because it is significantly easier to learn and cheap to purchase tools. There are specialty tools you can purchase to compliment your primary knife, like hook knives which are used for shaping wooden spoons. However, they are not at all necessary at this point when we are taking baby steps to get started.

Relief Carving: This style utilizes gouges and chisels to carve objects into a piece of wood, typically the end result is a picture. This is a bit more of a methodical style because the techniques are different, tools are different, and it tends to be less forgiving when mistakes are made.

Chip Carving:  Another wood carving style is called chip carving. This technique is used to create symmetrical and geometrical designs in wood planks by literally chipping out material.

Wood to carve

I always felt like the best wood for carving with is the one in your hand. Lately, I feel like this is mainly true for those who are familiar with multiple types of woods. This goes without saying to be careful what type of lumber you begin with, the harder it is the more experienced the carver should be.

I always suggest basswood to anyone who hasn’t had any experience carving other types of wood. It is the best wood to begin with while learning new techniques and carving styles.

Basswood is rather forgiving to those who don’t completely know what they’re doing. Since it is a softwood, it is very easy to cut material of wood from it while not straining your tools too much.

If you were to use hardwood, you would notice right away how much more difficult it is to cut. Not only this but you will need to sharpen your equipment much more frequently as well.

Basswood Whittlers Carving Blocks

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It can be a little overwhelming starting to carve, mainly because you might not be sure exactly where to start. Truth is, it doesn’t really matter where you start, just as long as you are focusing more on just starting something.

Here are a collective number of designs that any level of wood carver, veteran or beginner, can easily accomplish with the right tools.

Whistles

Whittle a whistle! Probably one of the most simple things to do, although some practice is required to get good at making them. It still offers a project to start where basic cutting styles will be implemented. Check out the different cutting techniques here:

Whittling: An All-Inclusive Guide

Literally just pick up a good looking stick and jump into carving your whistle!

Kitchen Utensils

Many beginners start out with making something they can use afterwards. The ever so popular item being a wooden spoon (you can also do spatulas) which is an awesome idea. You can use it for yourself, sell it, or even use it as a gift (if it looks good enough).

Wood carving spoons has become an art form more than anything and with the amount of modifying features wood carving allows its no wonder why people start with carving spoons.

Find out how to carve a spoon with our >>Top Leading Spoon Carving Guide

Beach Bowls

Uses the same principles as carving a spoon except using a larger chunk of wood.

Letter Openers

Aesthetically pleasing result while giving you practice for basic whittling cuts. Very simple design to create.

Animals

Here’s one meant for beginners:

Simple enough. Not near as many features as the first but it definitely is a starting point!

Carving animals is great for beginners since you begin detailing identifying features like eyes and various shapes.

Go grab some paint and add color to your new wood carving designs!

Ornaments

Start carving gifts for people or decorating your house with little random ornaments after you get familiar with carving animals!

You can also carve original ornaments for Christmas time!

Character Figures

Yes, a hand carved yoda. It goes to show how versatile wood carving designs can be once you have an idea in mind.

Chess Pieces

Chess pieces are insanely easy to make and add character to. You’ll need to carve them from small blocks of wood you can purchase on Amazon.

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Chip Carving Designs

Create a detailed pattern onto a basswood board!

This example uses various other techniques utilized in chip carving like straight lines, three point chip, and curved lines.

You can find out more about this technique of carving here:

Chip Carving: The Top Online Handbook

Here’s a more simple idea of what you can do with this model for wood carving designs

Coasters

This coaster was cut out using whittling tools and the ingrained pattern implemented whittling. A popular combination for a really cool, simple idea for beginners.

Wood Spirits

Carve wood spirits into branches or sticks you find while camping! Of course this takes some careful detail, but with time comes experience.

Gnomies

Carve little gnomes for your front yard or kitchen area.

Spiral Design

You can also begin creating various of your own designs from oddly shaped wood. Spiral designs are simple enough yet still complex to give you a challenge and rewarding all at the same time!

A frustrating common occurance I encounter too often was not having proper protection or storage for my wood carving tools, and I’m sure many of you have experienced the same. Unless your tools came with a sheath of some kind then you’re probably aching to find proper safety storage. Carving knives are easily prone to chipping in this scenario.

What Can I Use For Proper Storage?

With a little creativity and access to common household supplies, this problem can easily be offered with a solution. The goal is to secure your blades so that they do not rub against material that can cause chipping.

What You’ll Need:

1.

   I wasn’t kidding when I said this was stupid simple, until you purchase or create your own tool catty. For this all you’ll need is:

1. Paper clips
2. Leather

Pretty self explanatory from the picture, but just to make sure everyone understands the setup correctly:

Cut out a small portion of leather, put leather into paper clip, then fit the knife snug into it. Also make sure the point of the knife isn’t sticking out of the leather so you won’t get pricked.

Then set that bad boy up so it won’t fall over.  [Read more…] about 3 Stupid Simple Ways To Store Your Carving Tools