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In an age of cyber technology and mass-produced molded
products, it is rewarding to craft, with our own hands, a work of personal
expression made from a natural material. The satisfaction derived from
shaping wood with hand tools, making large chips fly with mallet and
gouge, carefully rounding forms with a chisel, and applying a hand rubbed
finish, is unique.
Woodcarving can be enjoyed at any level, from whittling
a found stick or pine board with a pocket knife to carving a sculpture in
a fully equipped shop with many chisels and power tools.
The following tutorial is a brief introduction to
woodcarving. It will provide an overview of the carving process, including
the common types of wood, the tools, some carving instruction, and tips on
applying a finish.
While an online tutorial cannot be exhaustive, I hope
to provide enough information and encouragement to help a beginner pick up
a chip carving knife and see how far his enthusiasm will lead.
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