Something that is always important when chip carving is having a SHARP KNIFE!
Last Tuesday night we spent most of the time during the Webinar going over the process to get a SCARY SHARP KNIFE.
From the responses I
received it was time well spent. And rightly so!
Like Fred mentioned on Facebook, a Scary Sharp knife will lead to more effortless carving. When the struggle and frustration resulting from a dull knife are removed, the enjoyment level of this great hobby increases substantially.
Also, a Scary Sharp knife results in less chip out. Many times wood will chip out when a dull knife tugs on a weak section of your
carving which leads to it chipping out. A keen, sharp edge will cut the wood fibers to release the chip rather than the wood "releasing" when you don't want it to!
Last but not least, a sharp knife leads to cuts that are clean and smooth. This means the quality of your chip carving will noticeably improve. And who of us doesn't want that!
How can you tell if your knife is Scary
Sharp?
#1 When angled on your fingernail it will grab and not slide off.
#2 When cutting the end grain on a piece of basswood, the result will be a smooth, glassy surface.
#3 Your knife will make smooth, clean slices of paper
#4 Your knife will shave hair on your arm.
You'll notice that 2 pictures show my flip knife with a 4" curved blade that I sharpened with the Scary Sharp Sharpening Kit. For longer blades simply drag the knife across the abrasive strip and follow the same technique.
Harold A. emailed me and wanted to know if a turtle could be chip carved because it had "non-linear chips"?
How would you reply?
What questions would you ask?
Many chip carvers who are beginning this great craft, often have their sights set on carving something particular. Regularly I'll hear from someone wanting to do some letter carving. Usually it is for a gift that needs to be ready by next
Saturday!
Other times their expectations are more in line with reality, like Harold.
I sent him this picture of a chip carved turtle by Bill to see if this was what he was thinking of chip carving.
His reply helped me know that he pretty much knew what he was getting into.
Marty
1st thank you for getting back to me and sharing your thought and all the informative.
2nd gorgeous
turtle carving!
I do plan on doing that type of turtle ( my expectations are not as high as your reality lol) but I will do one.
I took a photo of the template that I also want to be able to chip carve via what I learn from you . Please see
attachment.
Is this chipable ? New word lol
Talk to you soon
Best
Harold
Here's my reply now that I've seen the pattern he wants to carve.
Hello Harold,
About your turtle. Yes it is chipable. :-)
But...DON'T try to chip carve this if you're just beginning to learn how to chip carve.
The way this pattern is drawn would be
challenging for most chip carvers.
START with the Chip Carving Essentials Course! I created this course to mirror as close as possible to how I teach a person-to-person class.
Or a Platinum Membership that includes EVERYTHING I've created and will create in the future. $13/month, cancel anytime - https://mychipcarving.com/membership/
You can do this!
I'll be here to help.
Marty
Know that I'll always promote the Essentials Course so that Harold, you,
or anyone else who's beginning will learn how to chip carve, find success and enjoy chip carving for a long time.
