Wood Carving Tips
#1 - Soften Hard Wood
A carving tip that I found on the Wood Carving Illustrated forum, was a way to make hard wood easier to carve. Make a solution of 50% rubbing alcohol and 50% water, in a spray bottle. Using the spray bottle, spray a small amount on the area that you are trying to carve and wait a few seconds. As the solution soaks into the wood, the grain loosens up and allows the knife to slide through the wood easier.
I have tried this and had positive results, but have noticed that the area that I used it on, on a dogwood walking stick has developed a small split in the wood. I am still experimenting with the solution to determine if the alcohol caused the wood to dry out or if the split would have occurred anyway.
#2 - Make Straight Lines Without Marking on Wood
A way that I have found for making straight lines on your wood projects, without making any marks on the wood with a pen or pencil, is to use tape. I used some scotch tape the other day to make a template for cutting perfect rings around a walking stick.
I used scotch tape to go around the walking stick and then used my knife to cut above and below the tape, creating a border/stop cut at the same time. The tape was then removed and I roughed out the inside of the ring.
#3 - Clean Up Your Wood Carving Project
A great way to clean up your wood carving piece, is to use an emery board. You can get emery boards at your local dollar store, your wife's purse, or at political campaign events. Emery boards are just sand paper on a hard surface and are very easy to carry in your carving kit.
They don't take up much space and are a great way to knock off the edges on your wood carving projects. I like the emery boards that are double sided and have a foam pad in the middle.
#4 - Remove Pencil Marks Without Leaving Eraser Marks
When you make marks on your wood carving pieces with a pencil, you have the option of using an eraser, sand paper, or even a light slice of your carving knife to remove left over marks. If you use a normal pencil eraser, you will leave a nasty looking smudge mark where the eraser leaves residue on your piece.
Most office supply stores sell what is called a "dust free" or "markless" eraser that will remove pencil marks but not leave the smudge. These erasers are ideal for removing the left over pencil marks. They also make a great addition to your wood carving kit.
#5 - Easily Clean Out Crevices in Wood Carving Projects
During the wood carving process, you will make various crevices in the wood that you are carving. As you continue to carve, small chips of wood and debris will collect in these tight spaces and sometimes can be difficult to remove. Also, while carving these tights spots, you will leave small, very loosely attached fibers of wood where the didn't cut cleanly. A great way to clean out these small areas, is with either a stiff bristled toothbrush or a stainless steel wire brush.
If you go with a wire brush, you will need to be particular that you are using a stainless steel brush. Brushes other than stainless steel will leave black marks on the wood that will not come off, short of using sand paper or a light shave with your carving knife.
Check out the carving resources on the Carving Resources page.
