The Woodcarving Mobile App

One of the things I like best about woodcarving is the portable nature of it. The tools all fit into a compact roll and all you need is a flat surface and a few clamps to hold your workpiece. Woodcarving in itself is a very relaxing and zen like activity so being able to take it with you to relaxing places is yet another bonus. I have packed up my carving chisels and taken them along on vacation on several occasions in fact.

So with a few hours to kill this weekend at my wife’s school while she taught voice lessons, I took along a piece of Basswood and 6 chisels. This and some clamps fit nicely in my Underhill-esque tool tote. I even was able to pick an art room to work in which seemed rather fitting. Set the clamps and lay out my chisels and I was ready to go to work. I could have taken a book or played Simpsons Tapped Out on my iPhone (dang that game is addictive) but instead I got in some great carving time and produced something I decidedly proud of.

This project used only 5 chisels and took about 2 hours to complete.

• #8 10 mm
• 1/2″ bench chisel
• 6 mm V chisel
• #3 3mm
• #3 14mm

The biggest hurdle with woodcarving is just getting started. Once you take the plunge you will find that it isn’t nearly as hard as your brain is making it. A surprisingly small number of chisels is all that is needed and you will open a whole new world of possibilities for your furniture projects. You also find yourself noticing really small details in the world around you. I warn you this makes you incredibly annoying to spouses who are trying to get your attention during dinner while you stare at the flowers in the centerpiece.