Great video really well explained. I like the way you describe the cuts, keep the thumb below the horizon. I'm a visual learner so videos help me a lot. You are very right about now little safety info is prioritised. I grew up whittling the back of thin willow branches. Consider.myself a beginner though. Giving some characters a go with basswood. Made a tiny comfort bird I saw on Doug linked channel and so happy with it, I am keen to learn more. If I want to say where in the country you practised you archery? I wish you good light, a steady hand and happy creating.
I barely remember Jimmy as a little kid in one of my dads classes. I resented the shit out of wood carving almost my entire life as thats all my dad ever did…..this book was dedicated to him, and now I can see the beauty of the passion he passed on!
Thank you for this review. I've recently gotten into carving and found this book on Amazon and was contemplating purchasing it today. I think I may do so now because it seems like it may be helpful and I love the little animals. Your seal came out adorable and I'd love to see the squirrel you completed as well as, done of your relief carving projects. Though, I see you've not posted anything in a year. With that said, I hope you're well and I appreciate your review. 😊
I have some flex cut knives and tools with a changeable handle. I also have Occt, and ha Helvie. Reach for Occt most of the time. Flex cut is a bit thick for me. All good knives though. Don’t overlook Beaver craft, I have two and they are good also. Thanks for the info 👍
I have this book and I would also recommend it. I have made two so far. The painting information is excellent. Like you I tried dry brush painting for the first time. My only complaint is that the instructions could use a bit more expansion and detail. For a beginner, some of the instructions may not provide enough detail. But I would still recommend it. It may just require more patience.
I just bought this set and was happy to see your favorable review. I already have the starter set and am very happy with the quality, sharpness and ease of maintaining them.
I have plenty of straight edge tools, So I am looking more at the pelican models. sometimes a nice curved belly makes scissor (pivoting diagonally out from wrist or thumb's palm) action cuts nice and smooth. my preferred roughing pocket knife has a good curved belly and thin profile. I want a similar profile in one of my smaller detailing knives. I just cant get past the handle shape. I may go out to my friends house (a rough trip through miles of logging roads) just to borrow and try one first.
You can sharpen the rounded tip or broken tip by sanding the spine with 220 grit emery cloth until a point is formed and then strop the sides to restore the cutting edge. Sometimes a general kit is a good way to find what knife size and shape you prefer. I am very particular about the handles. If the tool handles are awkward to my hand I avoid the tool. Most carvers seem to have a variety of carving tools but tend to favour one or two on a regular basis. It is said that a craftsman uses 20% of his tools 80% of the time and 80% of his tools 20% of the time. Perhaps this applies to carvers as well.
Great video, wish there was more content on RU-vid of this stanadard. I enjoyed your clam measured approach & so good to have a beginners clip that starts with safety. Looking forward to seeing lots more from you, thank you :) Time for me to hit subscribe.
It's pretty comprehensive, you can get 30, 45, and 70 degree v tools, down to 1mm in, and up to 9.5mm. Smallest gouges are similar, I think the smallest is a number 11 in 1.5mm.
I actually started with relief carving, using a selection of gouges and chisels; probably a bit unusual. Most carvers start with whittling because it's accessible, you need fewer tools, but my Dad had all the tools, so I was fortunate. Started with simple things like leaves, lettering made from foliage and flowers, then for in the round carving I started with really simple stuff like toadstools. Afterwards I started carving animals as that's something I particularly like, and the usual gnomes, Christmas ornaments and things that you just have to have a go at.
Thank you. I can usually go to a local timber yard, but during the lockdown I've ordered from toolsandtimber, and englishwoods.co.uk. I'd particularly recommend englishwoods, based on what I've received so far.
Good to hear, thanks. I'll admit I started a RU-vid channel partly to alleviate the boredom of covid lockdown, but I want to put up content that will be of use to people.
Good video! Lots of helpful tips for beginners here :) Completely agree with ya, there are plenty of "do as I say and not as I do" situations and those of us making the videos should be mindful that others may copy exactly what is shown (I am guilty of this). Be mindful of your knife's movement, use proper safety gear (when available), and use common sense.
Hey, thanks very much. I hope this didn't come across as too negative, there's some real talent and great information on RU-vid, but the odd video here or there could really get someone hurt. I think as long as those of us who care keep putting up good information, so the chances are that beginners will stumble across that first, it's probably all we can do.
Nice review. Have a cheapo set at the moment and considering investing in flexicut. Can I ask whether you use V tools as flexcut do a set with 2 knives and 2 V tools? Also where do you buy your lime wood from? I'm in the UK too and have struggled to find decent lime for carving. Thanks for the review.
Thanks. I do, and I've got a set of the Flexcut palm tools which includes a V tool, plus one or two full-sized V tools; can't remember off-hand if they're Ashley Iles or some other make. In the past I've usually gone to a local timber merchants, but during the lockdown I've used toolsandtimber.co.uk and EnglishWoods.co.uk for lime. Particularly pleased with the lime I got from English Woods.
I’m in the U.S. and had to order mine online. I think the carry them in some specialty woodworking stores, but not big box stores. I don’t have this set, but I have the sloyd knife, 5 inch draw knife and a palm carving set. I’ve been happy with the quality.
It looks like you're staring at Flexcut people behind the camera pointing a gun at you. Nah just kidding, thanks for the info. How often do you sharpen your knife with the yellow compound thing ? Every 2h hours of use ? Every 2 weeks ? I have no idea. And do you really have to apply it on leather ?
No set time, just whenever I feel it needs to be done. You'll quickly develop a feel for when the knife is starting to dull, by the way it cuts. You don't have to use leather, but it's a good hardness, with just a little give. Some people just use a piece of board, like a bit of mdf. You do want a flat surface to keep the blade bevel even.
I tried my first wood "carving" yesterday, using a chunk of pine wood (cause that's the only wood I found nearby) and dull entry level chisels... I think I cut my hands more than I cut the wood, and the result is nothing like what I wanted to do in the first place. Can't wait to receive those Flexcut knives i've ordered some days ago.
Well it's great that you're taking up carving, it's a great hobby; it can be simple, or complex, it's a never-ending challenge, and a lot of fun. It's true what they say, that sharp tools are safer than blunt ones. You may want to get a cut-resistant glove too, I got a pair which meet the European standards on Amazon pretty cheaply.
@@sergeantsimmo4091 Yep, bought myself a set of flexcut knives, and gloves are on their way. I must say the flexcut knives are not as good as I expected. One of them lost its sharpness after a couple hours. Gotta find a piece of leather to sharpen it before I can use it again.
These sets are just great. I prefer my flexcut. I have some Pfeil. But I find the flexcut more willingly to do what I want. The flex in flexcut is good.
Thank you Mr Messer, I've watched several of your videos and also some from Doug Linker, who cites you as an influence, and I like the warm way you both share information.
There’s another set with two sizes of pelican knives for multiple uses including details. I want to get the mini detail knife as well. I had a flexcut palm carving set with the handle as a separate part and interchangeable blades but got tired of swapping blades so gave it away. I knew I wanted to get into chiseling so ordered the beginning set to use either by hand or mallet. I found that the V blade works great for in the round (convex) details. They are much larger than the palm carving tools. I also got the spoon carving tool.
Makes sense to me. I originally got my palm tool set because I wanted something compact; before covid-19 happened I was travelling for work (and I thought a mallet would be a bit too noisy for a hotel room), plus I already had a selection of various full-size chisels and gouges.
Well, everyone's workflow is different, and you do save money up-front if you buy a set, but I think I'd have been better served making up my own combination and buying the profiles I now know I need. I'll end up buying those anyway now I expect, and that means I'll have spent money on some tools which, although they're good, I'll use relatively seldom.
Hi Andrew, I got it from Axminster; you can request a free copy from them. Not sure if they charge any delivery on that alone, but I don't think they do, and as I requested one whilst placing an order I got free delivery on it.
