This may well be one of your earlier videos, but its clear that you've always had an aptitude for this kind of teaching. I haven't even got a hand my chisels yet, but I've learned so much from you
As a complete beginner, this was immensely helpful. The part about cutting with and against the grain during the same cut was explained intuitively, and is something that I hadn't thought about until now. I'd always imagined that you need tiny tools for this kind of carving, but was relieved to see that normal tools can be used and give better stability. Thanks very much for a great tutorial.
Many years ago, I was teaching myself how to do wire inlay work; silver wire on a brass ground. Very slender v-cut chisel..I was improvising, I didn't know about left vs. right angled inlay tools... It was all practice, so no 'finished' pieces exist. What struck me is how similar the carving process is for both materials! True, brass has no grain structure, but the chisel hold, pivoting, the use of the mallet, tiny cuts, angling the chisel in curves, flattening the chisel to alter depth...it's like reading a different page from the same book! BTW, I flatter myself as a fledgling luthier, so gouges/sharpening are becoming a big part of my life! Love your sharpening videos!
Thank you for your tutorials! I'm a First Nations artist and years ago I learned some woodcarving basics from a Native carver (he carved totem poles for the community and taught us beginners to carve salmon spoons) and I've always wanted to get back into it but wasn't able to find any really good tutorials on carving. Yours are the most helpful I've found and you've really inspired me to get started again! Your thorough explanations on how to use the tools and what cuts to make are perfect for beginners, I look forward to seeing more videos and learning more from you! Thanks again!
I'm just starting but I have to say I love that you make mistakes! In every other video they are always so perfect and make it look easy, really can break down a beginner's wings once she/he actually tries it and realise no, it`s not that easy, not even for a pro.
Hi, I;m so glad to have found your video's and so are my hands, I was cutting my hands almost every time I attempted to carve and using your techniques has helped so much. Many thanks xx
This is going to be my first day of carving. Always wanted to do it and my opportunity came this past weekend at a yard sale. I bought a 9 piece set of vintage Pheil chisels and there is also 8 pieces of Loew Cornell chisels that are stamped made in "WEST GERMANY"! A few odd and ends pieces like a P. Murphy knife set that is a removable blade type. 20 pieces all together. I got everything for 15 dollars. Most of them have never been sharpened. I don't guess I did to bad. Hehe! Looking forward to it very much and your videos will be my guide. Thanks!
+Tom Wilcox I'm jealous! Whether they are sharpened or not, that is a deal. Often you can't find 1 gouge for $15. Sign up for my online school and there are 16 videos available for free that cover sharpening and basic starting lessons. www.marymaycarving.com/carvingschool
+Mary May thanks for the reply! I'm an avid wood worker but not much of a tool collector. These tools are around 60 years I would say. The German tools are stamped West Germany. I'm scared to use them in case they hold any value. I will keep them oneway or the other. Rock and a hard place........
I am just starting out in wood carving and found your video. I so far have found them brilliant. Any advice or direction would be very appreciated. Thank you for sharing.
I wish I'd watched your delightful video before carving an owl with a mouse for my grand daughter, though I can backtrack in my mind and see the mistakes I made cutting with and across the grain. I'll try another piece with constant reference to your advice and clear demonstrations. Thank you so much Mary.
Though I don't think I'll be carving wood, this video helped me tremendously for several reasons, one of which is that I see how the rounded edge looks much nicer!
Hi Mary, I've seen some carving videos. Most work with carving, but you work with chisels of various sizes. You show it a detail, are like to lead the carving and keep. Also you show wodrauf to watch out that it comes to no tear-out. And you both right-and Left-handed should work, because it is quicker. As if each time must span the workpiece. Get me now the other videos look of you and look forward to more videos from you. "Thumbs up for it" Sorry my bad english, I'll translate it with Google Translator. Greetings from Germany.
Wow..great informative videos. You explain the the finer aspects of tool control very well. I learned a lot. Thanks very much for taking the time to do this.
Hi Mary, greetings from the UK. I am actually into wood turning, but this Christmas my other half bought me a set of chisels thinking they were turning chisels but it turns out that they are wood carving chisels. After watching your video, I think I may have just found myself a new hobby! Thank you. Also, it looks like a hobby that I can do at home, in my flat (apartment) as it seems quite a quiet art to do, apart from the mallet part. (couldn't I just use the palm of my hand to knock it?) Actually, I am a bit excited about this. Excellent stuff......... I have subscribed!
Hi Chris, Thanks! I started carving in an upstairs apartment, but did annoy the neighbors on occasion with my mallet. I would hesitate to recommend using the palm of your hand. I have heard that it can seriously damage the nerves if you do this too often or too hard. Years ago this was a common practice with carvers, and I read somewhere that it was also common that the older carvers could not open their hands fully because of this. I think I'd rather use a mallet and have full use of my hands :)
Hi Mary. Happy new year to you. I like your thoughts on this. BTW, I haven't as yet christened my carving tools yet. My workshop shed is freezing cold, but I think I had better invest in one of those rubber mallets.
Thanks for the Video. I am using a Palm Gouge set to start my carving skills. When I hold the Chisels, is it best to use the thumb and first two fingers, since I can not place my full hand on the shaft of the Gouge. You also pointed out to me that my chisels are not sharp enough and I need to go back to improve my sharpening skills. I'm using Pine wood to practice with and it tares easily.
when did you start carving? do think it realistic for a 23 year old to start carving as a profession? im learning fast, but i dont know if it will pay the bills...
Hi . I'm from Malta and i love your videos and learnt a lot . I had a 2 year course . So please can you tell me from where to buy your books . I am 64 years old woman and love wood . I also do fret saw . Thanks .❤
Hi I have a lot of Cedar...is this a good wood to carve into...I'm waiting on my new chisels to be delivered so I can start wood carving...it's a great wood to burn but I'm now moving on to a new technique....thanks for any info you can provide and for sharing your knowledge on wood carving
Very good video. I have a set of chisels i have one like yours that u use for making holes but i cant cut anything with it. I need to hit it with the hammer to work and even like that it cuts hardly cuts the wood. I tried to sharpen it but it didnt work. Do you have any tips or an advice for what can i do?
I’m trying to carve a barn owl but for some reason i keep carving the skinny end of my tree limbs instead of the thicker end leaving not much to carve out of but I think I’m getting the hang of carving the owl head
are all chisel set's double beveled? I just got this item and so far i like it but I don't if I can use both sides, as a small test I use a flat chisel and its seems to work on both sides, I hope i'm right, any help is much appreciated please and thank you. This is the set I have, and that for the sharping stone it comes with am I supposed to wet it then use it? Or can I use it dry as well? @t
thanks Mary for your advice , I just started to work with wood , love it , but needmore time for practice . Do you have an online adress from where I can order some quality chisels ? I'm calling from Romania ,soisvery abroad!
This is probably the noobiest question ever- but my struggle is finding the wood! I've looked online for Mahogany or basswood (I have oak in abundance but i've heard it's not great for carving). Anyways, where can I get ahold of small slabs similar to what you've got here? :c
+KnyghtD If you are looking for smaller pieces of wood, I often go into furniture makers shops and they have off-cuts that they are sometimes eager to get rid of. Sometimes they have beautiful hardwoods that they will never use because of the size. If you're looking for basswood (not a common furniture-maker's wood) you may have to purchase it online. That can get expensive, but it's about the only way - unless you live near people who have basswood trees.
That is mahogany (genuine). It was the wood I had available at the time I filmed this. A good wood to start with is basswood - also called Linden (Germany) or Lime (England).
If I understand your question correctly, I would suggest using a v-chisel - whether horizontal or vertical to the grain of the wood. Make sure you v-chisel is very sharp and you should have no problem.
Love your video. I just bought a set of chisels (antique) but fill size, excellent shape. I've always wanted to learn to carve and already I know something that I didn't know. Where have you been? :{ ) Thank you!
They would be a 6mm v-chisel, #3, 6mm, #3, 14mm, #5, 6mm, #7, 14mm. And the next would be #4, 12mm, #5, 14mm, #8, 10mm, and the you can go on from there!
it looks to easy, yet i think that i will dip just a little ways in on this one. like to try that chip craving as well.. like to know a beginner tools. to try to see if you have that vision.
I have watched a few of your videos and you mentioned the donut video many times. however i cannot seem to find said video. could you possibly paste a link to the video?
+Germanloverfromchina That video is part of my 16 free videos if you register as a free member to my online school - www.marymaycarving.com/carvingschool
I was just going to ask this question after hearing you mention it in a few videos. Maybe add the link in the video description so people can find it easier? Your videos are by far the best quality and best explained. I'd love for more people to be able to support you by finding your link! thanks for all the work you do to help people get started out!
![Twenty One Pilots - “The Line” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/E2Rj2gQAyPA/mqdefault.jpg)
I just purchased me first tools and plan to buy wood next week. Thankful to find your Beginning Woodcarving video.
Thank you for posting all the great tips, and techniques, Mary May.
This may well be one of your earlier videos, but its clear that you've always had an aptitude for this kind of teaching.
I haven't even got a hand my chisels yet, but I've learned so much from you
Hi Mary, thank you sharing your wood carving skills. For a beginner your videos helps me a lot in deciding which tools to start.
As a complete beginner, this was immensely helpful. The part about cutting with and against the grain during the same cut was explained intuitively, and is something that I hadn't thought about until now. I'd always imagined that you need tiny tools for this kind of carving, but was relieved to see that normal tools can be used and give better stability. Thanks very much for a great tutorial.
Many years ago, I was teaching myself how to do wire inlay work; silver wire on a brass ground.
Very slender v-cut chisel..I was improvising, I didn't know about left vs. right angled inlay tools...
It was all practice, so no 'finished' pieces exist.
What struck me is how similar the carving process is for both materials!
True, brass has no grain structure, but the chisel hold, pivoting, the use of the mallet, tiny cuts, angling the chisel in curves, flattening the chisel to alter depth...it's like reading a different page from the same book!
BTW, I flatter myself as a fledgling luthier, so gouges/sharpening are becoming a big part of my life!
Love your sharpening videos!
Just getting started and I wanted to say your way of instruction is better than most on the net. Thanks
Thank you! Enjoy!
Whow, ! you're a great teacher . You explain calmly and slowly. Clear instruction.
Thanks .
Very clear explanations,Mary........the first we find ........Thanks a lot and we follow your tutorials very well bc they are "eyeopeners for us Jozef
Thank you for your tutorials! I'm a First Nations artist and years ago I learned some woodcarving basics from a Native carver (he carved totem poles for the community and taught us beginners to carve salmon spoons) and I've always wanted to get back into it but wasn't able to find any really good tutorials on carving. Yours are the most helpful I've found and you've really inspired me to get started again! Your thorough explanations on how to use the tools and what cuts to make are perfect for beginners, I look forward to seeing more videos and learning more from you! Thanks again!
Absolutely beautiful work. I'll be a new customer on your carving site soon.
Thank you for what you present!
Greetings from Bulgaria
Aside from your talent, while I carve along with your video-I find your voice sooo relaxing--thanks
darnit, I was hoping for a mindless activity. LOL subbed and will have to watch this later. Thanks for sharing.
You are my favorite guest on Roy Underhill's show, and I'm delighted to have found your youtube channel! I enjoy your work and instructions very much.
I'm just starting but I have to say I love that you make mistakes! In every other video they are always so perfect and make it look easy, really can break down a beginner's wings once she/he actually tries it and realise no, it`s not that easy, not even for a pro.
Wow. What a great teacher. x
Hi, I;m so glad to have found your video's and so are my hands, I was cutting my hands almost every time I attempted to carve and using your techniques has helped so much. Many thanks xx
A great video and such a wonderful soft voice, thank you for sharing this.
This is going to be my first day of carving. Always wanted to do it and my opportunity came this past weekend at a yard sale. I bought a 9 piece set of vintage Pheil chisels and there is also 8 pieces of Loew Cornell chisels that are stamped made in "WEST GERMANY"! A few odd and ends pieces like a P. Murphy knife set that is a removable blade type. 20 pieces all together. I got everything for 15 dollars. Most of them have never been sharpened. I don't guess I did to bad. Hehe! Looking forward to it very much and your videos will be my guide. Thanks!
+Tom Wilcox I'm jealous! Whether they are sharpened or not, that is a deal. Often you can't find 1 gouge for $15. Sign up for my online school and there are 16 videos available for free that cover sharpening and basic starting lessons. www.marymaycarving.com/carvingschool
+Mary May thanks for the reply! I'm an avid wood worker but not much of a tool collector. These tools are around 60 years I would say. The German tools are stamped West Germany. I'm scared to use them in case they hold any value. I will keep them oneway or the other. Rock and a hard place........
+Tom Wilcox My attitude towards old tools is, if they aren't used, they aren't worth much. Some of these older gouges are wonderful to use.
+Mary May well said! Thanks for your advice and time. You have incredible talent.
I am just starting out in wood carving and found your video. I so far have found them brilliant. Any advice or direction would be very appreciated. Thank you for sharing.
Many thanks Mary May! Happy Holidays!
Wow nice ..curving tools very sharp..And Thank you for Teaching basic Curving
I wish I'd watched your delightful video before carving an owl with a mouse for my grand daughter, though I can backtrack in my mind and see the mistakes I made cutting with and across the grain. I'll try another piece with constant reference to your advice and clear demonstrations. Thank you so much Mary.
Your very welcome. Enjoy!
Though I don't think I'll be carving wood, this video helped me tremendously for several reasons, one of which is that I see how the rounded edge looks much nicer!
Hi Mary,
I've seen some carving videos. Most work with carving, but you work with chisels of various sizes.
You show it a detail, are like to lead the carving and keep. Also you show wodrauf to watch out that it comes to no tear-out. And you both right-and Left-handed should work, because it is quicker. As if each time must span the workpiece.
Get me now the other videos look of you and look forward to more videos from you. "Thumbs up for it"
Sorry my bad english, I'll translate it with Google Translator.
Greetings from Germany.
Thank you so much! Your channel has helped me so much!
Excellent video. I didn't know that using the mallet gives a cleaner cut than free hand.👍😎
this first piece is actually pretty good for a total first work! nice vid,like!
Wow..great informative videos. You explain the the finer aspects of tool control very well. I learned a lot. Thanks very much for taking the time to do this.
Very well done Mary .. excellent job
Thanks everyone! I love to carve! Can you tell???
Great Woodcarving Techniques!...... Thank you........
The teaching was very good, I would like to start Carving.........................Thanks.
Hi Mary, greetings from the UK. I am actually into wood turning, but this Christmas my other half bought me a set of chisels thinking they were turning chisels but it turns out that they are wood carving chisels. After watching your video, I think I may have just found myself a new hobby! Thank you. Also, it looks like a hobby that I can do at home, in my flat (apartment) as it seems quite a quiet art to do, apart from the mallet part. (couldn't I just use the palm of my hand to knock it?) Actually, I am a bit excited about this. Excellent stuff......... I have subscribed!
Hi Chris,
Thanks!
I started carving in an upstairs apartment, but did annoy the neighbors on occasion with my mallet. I would hesitate to recommend using the palm of your hand. I have heard that it can seriously damage the nerves if you do this too often or too hard. Years ago this was a common practice with carvers, and I read somewhere that it was also common that the older carvers could not open their hands fully because of this. I think I'd rather use a mallet and have full use of my hands :)
Hi Mary. Happy new year to you. I like your thoughts on this. BTW, I haven't as yet christened my carving tools yet. My workshop shed is freezing cold, but I think I had better invest in one of those rubber mallets.
Thanks for the Video. I am using a Palm Gouge set to start my carving skills. When I hold the Chisels, is it best to use the thumb and first two fingers, since I can not place my full hand on the shaft of the Gouge. You also pointed out to me that my chisels are not sharp enough and I need to go back to improve my sharpening skills. I'm using Pine wood to practice with and it tares easily.
Thank you Mary
Inspiring the heck out of me!!! Thank you!
You're very welcome! Enjoy!
what wood were using in this video, which are the best woods to carve?
when did you start carving? do think it realistic for a 23 year old to start carving as a profession? im learning fast, but i dont know if it will pay the bills...
Mary www.pinterest.com/pin/662029213943273701/May
Very informative,thanks :)
I have done woodturning for a couple of years now , perhaps woodcarving is next :)
Thank you for this, Maam. It will help me on my future projects. :)
That's a great job, especially for hard wood, a dull blade, a rubber mallet and no experience. I hope I can do as well.
Hi . I'm from Malta and i love your videos and learnt a lot . I had a 2 year course . So please can you tell me from where to buy your books . I am 64 years old woman and love wood . I also do fret saw . Thanks .❤
Nice tutorial. There are some very valuable tips here. Thanks.
Thanks so much!
Very well explained Mary. My congrats
Thank you for this video.Now I see what I was doing wrong lol You do such a beautiful job .Can't wait to upgrade on my cutting knives too
Very patient and detailed. Thanks!
Hello, Im beginner, the video is excellent for me. Thank you and regards from S
Good lesson, thanks for this!
Very good tips! Thank you very much for sharing! Greetings from Brazil. Marcelo.
Hi
I have a lot of Cedar...is this a good wood to carve into...I'm waiting on my new chisels to be delivered so I can start wood carving...it's a great wood to burn but I'm now moving on to a new technique....thanks for any info you can provide and for sharing your knowledge on wood carving
Thanks for sharing Mary May : )
Awesome video ,thank you so much.
Obrigado estou a gostar do teu trabalho, esta ajudarme bastante :-) happy new year Mary May
Thank you for sharing your talents.... if possible, could you post a vid regarding carving faces and/or feathers?... thanks again!
I saw you on Woodwright’s shop! You’re great!
Thank you. Well done.
Thanks the lesson interesting pick a few tricksvwith it.Thanks again
mary you are the cats pajamas , a wealth of information ,just put your site in my favorites,thank you very much.frank
This was very informal, thank you!
Enjoy :)
This was GREAT!!
Thanks, well explained and very helpful.
Shawn at wortheffort recommended you, so I’m a new subscriber with notification. Thanks for your patient teaching.
awesome stuff, thank you for teaching me some stuff!
Boy you make that look easy
Thanks Jeff! Have fun!
nice teaching Technic, going to use your vids to learn to carve.
already got my chisels but need to learn to sharpen them be back then 8-))
Very good video. I have a set of chisels i have one like yours that u use for making holes but i cant cut anything with it. I need to hit it with the hammer to work and even like that it cuts hardly cuts the wood. I tried to sharpen it but it didnt work. Do you have any tips or an advice for what can i do?
i love your videos! thank you~!
I wish I had some actual carving tools but all I’ve got is a saw and a kitchen knife I know it’s not the best tools but its all I’ve got
Great instructions
By the way do you know the wood you have to carve with or can you carve with every kind of wood? Thank you
thank you, very helpful.
I’m trying to carve a barn owl but for some reason i keep carving the skinny end of my tree limbs instead of the thicker end leaving not much to carve out of but I think I’m getting the hang of carving the owl head
are all chisel set's double beveled? I just got this item and so far i like it but I don't if I can use both sides, as a small test I use a flat chisel and its seems to work on both sides, I hope i'm right, any help is much appreciated please and thank you. This is the set I have, and that for the sharping stone it comes with am I supposed to wet it then use it? Or can I use it dry as well?
@t
best explanation i have seen, thank you, you are beautiful as well
thanks Mary for your advice , I just started to work with wood , love it , but needmore time for practice . Do you have an online adress from where I can order some quality chisels ? I'm calling from Romania ,soisvery abroad!
I love your tutorials,my question is about lighting for my shop,I dont have natural light so what are the best lights for carving?
Bright ones
really helpful, thanks!
Wow thanks so much
This is probably the noobiest question ever- but my struggle is finding the wood! I've looked online for Mahogany or basswood (I have oak in abundance but i've heard it's not great for carving).
Anyways, where can I get ahold of small slabs similar to what you've got here? :c
+Freemen “Schlau” HaveRights Great idea. I've never tried this.
+KnyghtD If you are looking for smaller pieces of wood, I often go into furniture makers shops and they have off-cuts that they are sometimes eager to get rid of. Sometimes they have beautiful hardwoods that they will never use because of the size. If you're looking for basswood (not a common furniture-maker's wood) you may have to purchase it online. That can get expensive, but it's about the only way - unless you live near people who have basswood trees.
This was exactly what was needed...as my foot is now approaching the water...
Is carving in rough sawn and/or treated wood bad at all for your health or the carving?
Thank you
Hi. I am just starting out. This video explained some questions very well, like the whole grain thing, but I must ask, what wood are you using here?
That is mahogany (genuine). It was the wood I had available at the time I filmed this. A good wood to start with is basswood - also called Linden (Germany) or Lime (England).
I am a beginner never done it have the desire to do this
Thank you!
I'm new to this and have tried some of this video, but what is the best way tot create lines, horizontal to the grain of the wood?
If I understand your question correctly, I would suggest using a v-chisel - whether horizontal or vertical to the grain of the wood. Make sure you v-chisel is very sharp and you should have no problem.
thx a lot, I'll give it a try
Love your video. I just bought a set of chisels (antique) but fill size, excellent shape. I've always wanted to learn to carve and already I know something that I didn't know.
Where have you been? :{ )
Thank you!
Thanks so much!
If you had to use 5 chisels for any wood carving project what would it be?
They would be a 6mm v-chisel, #3, 6mm, #3, 14mm, #5, 6mm, #7, 14mm. And the next would be #4, 12mm, #5, 14mm, #8, 10mm, and the you can go on from there!
Thanks. I am a newby. Peter
ty for sharing
it looks to easy, yet i think that i will dip just a little ways in on this one. like to try that chip craving as well.. like to know a beginner tools. to try to see if you have that vision.
Ultimate
nice video
Where are you located
You are talented and FUNNY !
I have watched a few of your videos and you mentioned the donut video many times. however i cannot seem to find said video. could you possibly paste a link to the video?
+Germanloverfromchina That video is part of my 16 free videos if you register as a free member to my online school - www.marymaycarving.com/carvingschool
+Mary May ty very much. also your videos are pretty amazingly helpful
I was just going to ask this question after hearing you mention it in a few videos. Maybe add the link in the video description so people can find it easier? Your videos are by far the best quality and best explained. I'd love for more people to be able to support you by finding your link! thanks for all the work you do to help people get started out!
beatifull
Actually you’re first adventure into this craft didn’t look that bad to me!!! You’re much better now of course!!!
Tnx lady