Woodcarving

Getting started: Many people started woodcarving years ago in Scouts or youth clubs by carving soap. Some followed up, others didn’t. Today, veteran’s woodcraft club has benefited by seasoned pros whose work we can all admire, and then the beginners who are trying grab onto everything the Veterans woodcraft has to offer. Many of our team take classes to learn techniques outside their specialty.

There is a debate about whether what we do is carving or whittling. Some feel that carving (some call it sculpture) is done only with a mallet and chisels; things done with a knife are whittled. Some say woodcarvers start out with a purpose, while whittlers just start whittling and wait to see what appears. We say wood carving is creating things of beauty using sharp tools including gouges, knives and chisels. Most people think wood carving sounds more important than whittling. We call ourselves a woodcraft organization. Whatever you call it, it’s a great way to spend casual time, and the results impress our friends.

What is carving?

Wood carving is not a single activity or pastime, but rather an enormous group of types and things. We don’t have the time or space to cover all types of carving, but let’s take a brief look at a few of the woodcarving types that our members are involved with.

There is carving in the round

There is carving in the round, which includes everything from little animals and shapes to totem poles and life size statues. Subjects include anything and everything you look at or can imagine. Birds and animals are common, as are people, fish, and many geometric shapes.

Relief carving

Relief carving has many great scenes. Some are religious themes. Many are views of covered bridges, barns, old buildings and rural landscapes. Some are quite flat while others are more than an inch deep and present 3D images. Relief carving is done mostly with gouges, and many patterns are available.any patterns are available.

Chip carving

Chip carving is cutting out triangles. Chip carving adorns many wooden religious crosses and decorates many basswood eggs. Chip carving decorates furniture, and many boxes, plates, and bowls. It looks incredibly difficult but isn’t. Chip carving does require patience and practice to master.

Caricature carving

Caricature carving is another carving specialty. Caricatures can be any size, but most seem to fit into the bottle-topper category. There are people who carve and paint incredible caricatures, maybe this is something that you would like to have ago with veteran’s woodcraft.

Wood burning (pyrography)

Wood burning (pyrography) is used to finish and decorate many carvings, such as animal fur, bird feathers and fish scales. It is also an art unto itself where creations are portraits and a wide variety of scenes. We have wood burning equipment you can use to get started, and a highly skilled team are always willing to help.

Want to carve geometric shapes?

We can teach you to carve two or three interlocking rings or a chain from a single piece of basswood. We can also teach you to carve 8-pointed or 12-pointed stars as a Christmas ornament.

Or you can indulge your whimsy to carve gnome or troll houses from Limewood, or gnome huts or gnome churches from basswood. One of our team carves little wooden tops for kids, another carves crosses with doves. The prospects are limitless.

Getting Started

To get started you need a knife and some wood. You can carve found wood or you can buy pieces rather cheaply. One of our team says he brings home more than he takes to the dump. Or you can go for a walk and find some wood scraps. Many people cut or trim trees and leave branches for pickup. They are free for the taking. Much is available through carving catalogs and the internet.

As for knives you can buy a good woodcarving knife and a detail knife as a set for about £30. Or you can start with a Stanley knife for a couple of pounds. We can loan you one our knifes to get you started.

For some people, collecting carving knives, gouges and other tools is an obsession. They just can’t seem to get enough equipment. They may have duplicates of tools they have owned for ten years and never used. On the other hand, some of the best carvers use only a few knives and gouges and produce great results. Go whichever way you want. If you are still unsure give Veterans Woodcraft will assist you at every stage.