Woodcarving

Woodcarving is a skill of carving wood to make functional or ornamental objects by definition. The tools a woodcarver uses can include carving knives, gouges, chisels, power tools to include micro-motors and the list can go on and on.   Our club members have an array of different carving styles that include whittling, chip carving, relief carving, caricature (figurine) carving, Intarsia and scroll saw carving. Below is basic explanation of each:

• Whittling:  They often carve small figures or keepsakes by hand using a standard pocket knife or Swiss army knife. Some use regular wood carving knives and leave their projects "rough" with little detail.

• Chip carving:  Chip carving requires only a few chip carving knives (specific type) and usually carving is done on flat wood (usually basswood).  Most chip carvers "chip out" small cuts in geometric patterns and produce many household or decorative items such as, jewelry boxes, coasters, decorative wooden plates and platters.

• Relief carving:  Similar to chip carving as work is done on a flat wood surface where the carver carves away layers of wood until the design has depth and shadows. What immerges is a detailed and layered picture into a thick piece of wood. Tools used are mostly carving knives, gouges and chisels.

• Caricature carving: These carvers create figures out of blocks of wood using carving knives and gouges.  Caricatures are defined as exaggerated realism. Some carvers choose to carve a more anatomically correct figures while others are more "cartoon" like.  These carvings are then painted to make them stand out!

• Intarsia:  This is creating a mosaic-like picture from wood pieces using different species of wood selected for their color and cut to size using a scroll saw.  The illusion of depth is gained by selecting grain pattern and direction of each individual piece.

• Scroll saw carving:  Power tool used to make intricate cuts and curves in wood with very ornate designs.  Many beautiful curved lines or ornamental openwork patterns can be made.