Handy jig makes it easy to get a perfect edge by John English This article was first published in issue 43 of Woodcarving Illustrated. Sharpening V-tools can be challenging. WCI Holiday 2007 (issue #41) presented a simple technique for sharpening V-tools freehand. Many experts recommend learning to sharpen without the aid […]
Proper techniques for safe and efficient use by Chris Pye This article was first published in issue 39 of Woodcarving Illustrated. There is your piece of wood: a willing or unwilling victim of your designs, and then there’s you: intent and ready to carve. What’s in between? Your carving tools. We’ve […]
Guidelines for getting the most from your brushes by Vicki Rhodes This article was first published in issue 42 of Woodcarving Illustrated. In its simplest form, a paintbrush is a collection of fibers formed into a specific shape, then tied and glued to a handle. Making informed decisions when purchasing your […]
Strop your tools to keep them in top shape by Mac Proffitt This article was first published in issue 55 of Woodcarving Illustrated. Regular tool maintenance prevents hours of time spent sharpening. A properly maintained edge needs to be sharpened on a stone only if you damage the edge. Proper tool […]
Speed up the roughing-out process by cutting three views with your band saw by Jim Willis This article was first published in issue 52 of Woodcarving Illustrated. I draw the front, top, and side views of my design on the carving blank. This way, I make sure all of the major […]
Choose the right technique for a perfect finish by Vicki Rhodes Carving by Dennis Thornton This article was first published in issue 45 of Woodcarving Illustrated. Many carvers paint their work with acrylic paints. Acrylic paints clean up with water while wet, dry quickly, and are waterproof when fully cured. For […]
Master the basics of drawing with a veiner by Chris Pye This article was first published in issue 42 of Woodcarving Illustrated. A line inscribed on the surface of the wood is probably the simplest form of carving. This artistic expression traces its origins back to some of the most primitive art […]
Learn to tune this difficult-to-sharpen tool by Charles Berold This article was first published in issue 41 of Woodcarving Illustrated. Many carvers find sharpening V-tools a challenge. Most traditional methods focus on treating each side of the V as a straight chisel, but there are several steps leading up to the […]
An introduction to the tools used in traditional woodcarving by Chris Pye I carve in what might be called the traditional manner. It is sometimes referred to as European. The tools of my trade consist of variously shaped gouges, chisels, and so on. I don’t often use knives, which […]
Use simple methods to secure your blank for easier and safer carving by Chris Pye After sharpening your tools, how you hold your work has the most direct, mechanical bearing on your carving experience. Traditional European woodcarving uses both hands to guide the tools, so carvings must be securely […]
