White Pine is one of the wood species requested for a Wood Properties list, so today’s blog begins with the list of the Wood Properties of White Pine. Wood Properties of White Pine READERS’ COMMENTS Dean Stewart wrote in to comment on the topic of strops from my last blog: “Bob,Thanks for theContinue reading “Wood Properties of White Pine”
Category Archives: Articles & Stories
The Comfort Bird
The Comfort Bird I‘m sure most of you have heard of Comfort Birds and many of you have probably carved a few of them. Comfort Birds are often given to those in need such as the ill, blind, homeless, elderly or people in disaster areas such as hurricane flood zones, as a token of supportContinue reading “The Comfort Bird”
Wood Properties of Basswood
While doing some research I discovered an exceptional resource which provides information on everything you ever wanted to know about 80 different species of woods. The information covers everything from things like carvability and density to stainablity and the size of the knots. I was so impressed by the mass of information available on theseContinue reading “Wood Properties of Basswood”
Whittling The Old Sea Captain
“Whittling The Old Sea Captain and Crew” by Mike Shipley A Book Review “Whittling The Old Sea Captain and Crew” is a delightful wood carving book written by Mike Shipley. Mike, who is a noted wood carver is also, and perhaps more well known as a knife maker. His top notch OCCT line of knivesContinue reading “Whittling The Old Sea Captain”
The Scroll Saw
Today I thought we would learn a little something about Scroll Saws…not owning one it’s a topic I personally knew very little about until I did some research on them. We have discussed scroll saws a bit here in past blogs and I’m sure there are many carvers out there who use them. I’m hopingContinue reading “The Scroll Saw”
WOOD CARVING
WOOD CARVING “WOOD SELECTION” The nature of the wood being carved limits the scope of the carver in that wood is anisotropic and not equally strong in all directions. The direction in which wood is strongest is called the “Grain” (wood grain may be straight, interlocked, wavy, fiddleback, etc.). For strength purposes it is always wiseContinue reading “WOOD CARVING”
Carving Caricature Busts
“Carving Caricature Busts” by W. “Pete” LeClair A Book Review “Carving Caricature Busts” is the latest of three excellent woodcarving books written by noted wood carver and instructor Pete LeClair. Published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. this 80 page paperback book containing over 350 color photographs takes the carver from start to finish with carving aContinue reading “Carving Caricature Busts”
A Final Word About Wooden Spoons
The intricately carved wooden lovespoon has traditionally been used as a token of affection in Wales. Each spoon could contain different meanings as shown by the use of various symbols, for instance: a chain would mean a wish to be together forever; a diamond would mean wealth or good fortune; a cross would mean faith; a flower wouldContinue reading “A Final Word About Wooden Spoons”
Wood Hardness Ratings
The Janka hardwood rating test is a test that determines the hardness of a piece of wood (used mostly to determine the hardness of flooring planks). Quite often the hardness of a piece of wood relates directly with its density. Wood carvers, however, can use the Janka hardwood ratings to compare one type of carvingContinue reading “Wood Hardness Ratings”
Wood Species (Softwoods)
Yesterday I listed the over 200 species of Hardwoods (angiosperms) found around the world. Today I will list the approximately 50 Softwoods (coniferous) species. Below is the list of Softwood species: Softwoods (coniferous) Araucaria Hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) Monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) Paraná pine (Araucaria angustifolia) Cedar (Cedrus) Celery-top pine (Phyllocladus aspleniifolius) Cypress (Chamaecyparis, Cupressus, Taxodium) Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica) Bald cypress, southernContinue reading “Wood Species (Softwoods)”
Wood Chip Chatter 