1. Safety:
For your own safety, you should definitely have sufficiently bright lighting at your carving table. As a space-saving option, we offer a lamp with an integrated magnifying glass. It is important that you always carve away from your body and never cut towards yourself. Always use both hands to guide the carving tool and apply pressure. Avoid holding your carving in one hand while carving with the other, as this can lead to serious injuries. A good carving jig is therefore essential.
2. Practical tips:
- It is important that you only work with perfectly sharpened carving tools. If you can shave with it, the edge is perfect! Only then can you achieve clean and easy cuts in the wood.
- Avoid prying wood chips and shavings out of corners and edges with the carving chisel, as this often leads to broken edges. Always finish a cut with a butt cut or a reverse cut, never by prying or breaking!
- Always work with care and avoid brute force. If you occasionally need to use a mallet, do so gently. Always consider beforehand which cut shape you want to use and whether the wood grain allows for the desired cutting direction.
- To achieve the cleanest and most precise carving possible, there are a few important tips to keep in mind. Depending on the size of the area to be carved and the amount of wood that needs to be removed, the carving tool should be chosen accordingly. It is also important to wash your hands regularly while carving to ensure clean results.
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Sandpaper should be avoided when carving, as the grit residue on the wood can quickly dull the edge of the carving knife. Particularly soft or brittle wood tends to split during carving, even with sharp carving tools. To prevent this, the knife should not only be pushed and pressed in one direction, but also made with slight sideways movements.
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If the wood has become very dry due to prolonged storage in heated rooms, it can appear hard or brittle. In this case, you can wrap it in a damp towel and leave it overnight to make it more supple again. However, a water bath should be avoided, as this can alter the wood's structure.
