Starting (from Nothing) on Chip Carving

[nuhobby]

Howdy!

This month I celebrated 10 years since I got my new Shopsmith.

It must have been 6-7 years ago I also got a chip-carving knife and never really cut anything worth a darn.

Just in the last month, I've taken another look and I'm encouraged it might go somewhere.

Key points of learning for me lately have been:
- Unlike the 120-yr-old book's impressions that I had (from a book found in an antique store), chip-carving need not be limited to just triangular (pyramidal) impressions. Curves and lines are possible.
- I've gotten a lot more into sharpening and stropping tools in general; this helps.
- My 1st chip-carving knife was actually a 'mini' rather than a regular blade-length. Now I have Regular size chip carving knife (a Hock), and this greatly assisted me in holding the knife correctly.

Just played with this tonight, for fun:

Early Chip Carving.jpg (164.09 KiB) Viewed 19200 times

Maybe I'll show something pretty one day!

Chris

[Herkdriver]

Chris, congratulations on your 10 year Shopsmith anniversary! Your chip carving looks cool. I've always thought it would be fun to try. Looking forward to seeing your future projects.

[garys]

It looks like a skill that takes time and patience to learn, but once you do, you could turn out some really nice things.
Keep at it and see what you can do.

[benush26]

Your comment about sharpening made me smile. A few years back my sister bought me a chip carving knife as a new "adventure " in wood working. The blade was not good at keeping a sharp edge and it was before I had bought my Tormek, so sharpening be came a chore trying to use plate glass and sand paper .
I've not really tried any chip carving again, but have started design carving (my sister got me the Record beginners set - hmmm I wonder what she is trying to tell me?? ), but the Tormek makes sharpening and honing a breeze so I don't mind. I have gone through two leather wheel strops, though!

I think chip carving looks like a fun way to make something and give it some pizzaz.

Be well,
Ben

[nuhobby]

Well, that soft-enough-to-carve wood is Sassafras from my Stash, By Gosh! Anyway, I have started 2/4 corners of a little dovetailed box. As it is now, it's rather plain-sided. I'm trying to think of an appropriate chip-carving I can apply to one or more sides when it's built. Ideas are welcome for patterns!

Horsehair and Blank Slate.jpg (139.71 KiB) Viewed 19012 times

P.S. Just got in my Shopsmith Horsehair Bench Brush, as shown. It works GREAT!

Chris

[dgreen810]

Chris

If you have some Basswood laying around, you might make your wife a decor plate to hang in the kitchen. Or maybe a bird to hang in the den.

Don G

[JPG]

That be very nice work!!!!

[Hobbyman2]

+1 On being nice!!
Great job.

looks like a great way to pass those cold winter days.

As far as ideas go ,,,,maybe some thing in line of what the box will be used for , garden box ,, flowers!!


Nice job

Hobbyman2

[nuhobby]

Oh, boy, Don G's work is something to aspire to!!!

I decided to emulate an old saw-tote, to spruce up the box. I did it on the top. The top is butternut and it cut nicely:

WheatChipsBox.jpg (140.8 KiB) Viewed 18852 times

Happy Woodworking,

Chris

[garys]

Wood carving is an art, and I'm not an artist. I do however have an artist in my house. My Wife is an artist. She does the carving, the wood inlay, and any painting if I need artistic work done on my projects.
I posted here a couple of weeks ago with a picture of my Wife's latest carving in progress. She finished it this week. I'm impressed with her work so I don't even try carving myself.