Thankyou - I read in an old book 'Never cut with the grain or it will split like a log' so I start to cut a piece of log at an angle to the grain - and that wastes a lot of wood before I can get a square with the grain slightly at an angle. I realise now I will eventually encounter cutting with that grain so what was the point of cutting the log to avoid the grain in the first place - its poplar - after this video I realise it is possible to have the grain vertical and not at an angle as long as I take small cuts and have sharp knives. Thankyou!
The reason you want to cut with the grain often is when you get to the delicate parts of the carving like the nose ..the legs the shoes ..you dont want to be cutting cross grain or it will break easily
I'm new to carving wood and this video really helped. I've been using lime wood as I heard it was good for beginners but I've found it to be difficult against the grain. I think it must be partially my tools because the wood splinters. I'll order a bunch of bass/base wood next time though.
Great video, but I have a really beginner question. I sharpen my knives until I think they're sharp, but when I try to carve they don't cut through the wood like your video shows. Is it matter of hand strength? Or, is my perception of a sharp knife isn't as sharp as it needs to be to cut smoothly. I would appreciate you input. Thanks.
I don't know what type of knife your cutting with ..but all knives must be sharp and you must learn how to sharpen them .. I use Mike Shipley and Allen Goodman knives
