As we mentioned in a previous blog post about the oval skew chisel, woodcarvers generally have strong opinions about the skew chisel. Some praise it as a tool that’s versatile, efficient, and capable of producing an excellent finish that requires minimal sanding. Carvers who learn to use a skew chisel well use it often for all types of turned projects. Others insist that a skew chisel is so hard to use that it just isn’t worth the effort to learn. They complain that the tool runs back or digs in easily; a split-second dig-in can ruin a piece. These folks argue that a skew chisel isn’t worth much--except perhaps as a can opener. Alan Lacer is a seasoned woodturner and...
A Crown skew chisel doesn’t have anything to do with royalty. The shape of the blade doesn’t resemble a crown. What then is a Crown chisel? Is a Crown skew chisel used like other skew chisels? We’ll answer these questions--and others--in this article. What is a Crown skew chisel? A Crown skew chisel is a skew chisel manufactured in Sheffield, England by Crown Hand Tools. Ltd. Crown is a family-owned company that has spent over 50 years manufacturing traditional wood carving tools. What are the hallmarks of Crown products and processes? Crown Hand Tools are known for the following: Traditional handmade products that have been hand forged, tempered, and ground. Modern production processes such as cryogenics and powder metallurgy. Quality...
Sharping is a key component to wood carving. But when you're a beginner, it can be difficult to get a mirror finish on the curved profile of your carving gouges. While it's possible to accomplish that razor sharp finish on a flat strop, it can be easier if you have a contoured surface that matches the shape of your gouges. Unfortunately, finding the right tool also isn't easy. Many of the contoured strops available, like the one from Flexcut, for example, are too small to be effective for your full size tools. Luckily, with some help from professional carver Randall Stoner, you'll be able to learn how to make your own custom sharpening strop in just a few steps to...
The oval skew chisel--along with its cousins the rectangular skew chisel and the round skew chisel--is a workhorse of a tool for wood carvers who turn their pieces on a lathe. Some woodturners swear by the tool and use their oval skew chisel virtually any time they use a lathe. Others try using an oval skew chisel and then swear they'll never use one again. Let's answer frequently-asked questions about the oval skew chisel to find out why this tool causes such a diversity of opinions. First, what are the main types of skew chisels? Skew chisels are classed as rectangular (AKA: traditional or flat), oval, or round. The classification is based on the shape of the profile or cross-section...
In this beginner wood carving tutorial video, Randy 'Madcarver' Stoner demonstrates how to transfer artwork from paper to a wood block for relief carving using two methods. Method 1 uses a stylus to etch the design into your wood. This is a great option if you don't have carbon paper. If you don't have a stylus, and you'd like to use carbon paper instead, go to Method 2 - Timestamp: [4:21] Supplies Needed - Timestamp: [0:23] Pencil Metal Stylus with Metal Ball-Point at the Tip Artwork for Transfer Block of Wood You'll Be Using for Carving Optional: Carbon Paper Tape Method 1 Step 1 - Timestamp: [0:45] Place your pattern or artwork over your wood carving block You can hold it in place...
