Tried carving for the first time. I wanted to make a cup. I took Beach wood off a dead branch and well…. You can see the split. :/ What did I do wrong?

Hi, this may be an obvious answer but I can’t pin what type of wood this is, the channel creator is in Louisiana if it’s possibly more specific than the common types. Thanks in advance :)

I have been a whistler for several years now, and I carve no problem. I am a bit jealous that I can’t get my whittling knives sharp enough to shave my hair with green or gold compound on leather, a strop, and my technique. I also have very coarse arm hair, but that feels like no excuse.

Am I the only one? Do I need to get better at sharpening? I also can’t do it with chisels no matter how many Paul Sellers videos I watch! Is my hair just too coarse?!

Hello, so I have been wood carving for a year or so but have always had a passion for creating. One of the hardest issues I am faced with today is finding dried wood to work with. I live in Ontario Canada. Does anyone have any suggestions that could help me out?

carved out of bittersweet! frankly didnt realize that the vine could get big enough to reasobly use as wood, and especially didnt know that it would be so pretty and easy to carve!

Sorry it’s pretty crude

Hi all!

I was wondering if I could get some advice on what gouge set to buy. I am looking to make a Kuksa as a Christmas gift(I am also interested in making spoons and other kuksas and maybe cups and bowls in the future). I will mainly be working with dried wood so I figure that a gouge might be best. I do have a hook knife from Beavercraft but I haven't been very fond of it (to be fair, I was using it on dry wood and also haven't properly honed it)

HOWEVER: I am wanting to do a relief carving on a jewelry box for my mother as well and I am on a bit of a budget. So I am trying to find something that will be helpful enough for the kuksa, and also be helpful for the jewelry box.

I was thinking about these sets:

Beavercraft Chisel - Gouges

Flexcut Craft Carvers Set

Flexcut 5 Piece Palm

I have also thought about getting just a #7 Pfeil as I have seen recommended. I am also considering getting a Mora sloyd knife. I have a detail knife and a roughing knife from Beavercraft, but I really have to hone those.

I am getting huge analysis paralysis and any advice would be helpful

*I am using Kuksa blanks as I am new to this and don't have the budget for a carvers hatchet

TL;DR: What gouge set would be best for both relief carving AND using for Kuksas.

Thank you in advance

Hello, I'm trying to get into whittling. I heard that you should put a finish on your projects when you finish them. I don't know much about it but I head your can get allergic reactions from some of them. I have a deadly nut/tree nut allergy so I want to be cautious. I heard tung oil was hypoallergenic so I got some but after I bought it I looked it up again and it's apparently possible to get a reaction if your allergic to tree nuts. Any tips?

Second one

carving of anubis statue made of sapodilla wood

Hello, everyone! My girlfriend gifted me a beginner whittling set from Beavercraft today, and I’ve been trying for the past few hours to carve the little gnome. However, I can’t seem to make any cuts for the life of me. My thumb is sore from trying to push the blade, and I’ve had no luck.

I even tried sharpening the knives with a small kitchen knife sharpener, but it hasn’t made much of a difference. I know it’s my first time carving, so I might be doing a lot of things wrong, but there’s no way I should have to use this much force just to take a single chip of wood.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Should I buy a whetstone or get better knives? I’d appreciate any advice. Thank you! P.S tell me if i should post a photo with the woodblock and knives !

I'm pretty proud of myself

Hello,

So i make wood bowls in my spare time, right now i use an angle grinder with burr type bits to do the work. I keep seeing this foredom rotary tool and think it could be a safer alternative to the angle grinder.

My question is has anyone used these for long periods of time and on larger projects, most of the bowls i made are about 30” long and 4-6” wide.

Just painted this ornament and wanted to share because I think it’s cool

Merry Christmas season!!