Carving

Smaller in cross section than mallet-driven carving tools, palm carving tools provide the same basic cutting shapes of gouge, chisel, skew chisel, veiner and v-parting tools. Handles are short and...

Lino cutting is an easy project, but many people don't realize how simple it is to make their own stamps. You can find linoleum blocks or softer, easier-to-work-with printing block material at an...

Limestone is a soft stone ideal for beginning stone sculptors. Though limestone does not polish as well as other types of stone, it is a favorite of stone sculptors because it's ideal for fine...

Traditional Native American cedar flutes are hand carved individual works of art the capture the spirit and loving workmanship of the flute maker. Finely carved with an attention to intricate...

Inlay is one technique used to customize knife handles and other items. To inlay an item, you carve the depth and size of the item you intend to inlay from the material where it will rest. Inlay...

X-Acto knives, precision cutting tools, are manufactured for utility, art and carving purposes. They have very sharp blades that require attentiveness and precaution on the part of the user.

You can turn a production knife into a one-of-a-kind piece after you practice using a high-speed rotary tool and the various bits available. This can add significant value if you are a merchant or...

Relief wood carving is when you apply a pattern to a piece of wood, to chisel out the picture. Through the use of other various tools, you are able to make intricate patterns and designs.

Whittling is a craft that goes back for generations, conjuring images of the old man on his front porch with a whittler's knife and a piece of wood. One popular craft item in those days was a good...

When it comes to knives, there are typically two basic designs: the full-tang knife and the half-tang knife. A full-tang knife is one whose blade extends to the edge of the handle, where rivets or...

A fun craft idea can include recreating ancient hunting tools and war weapons. You can not only learn history, but also create a prop that can be used for a possible costume. Carving a spear with...

Some of the first knives were made by rubbing a stick against a rough-edged stone to flatten each side at an angle. You can use a primitive method such as that one for creating a knife, but using...

Skew chisels are ideal for reaching into tight corners and finishing intricate details where a standard chisel won't fit. Proper sharpening will increase the quality and quantity of your work. If...

Eco-artists alter the shapes of and add designs to living objects in a variety of ways and settings. There is a rich history of "arborglyphology," or tree carving, in both the East and West. The...

Traditionally constructed from antler and other animal material, hand-carved knives are a staple among indigenous and stone age hand tools. While the majority of knives found on the market today...

The craft of carving has decorated furniture and homes for thousands of years. Whether carved singly or as a bouquet, flowers' wide range of forms and styles provide excellent subjects for...

Whether you are a whittler or a wood turner, the selection of the proper piece of lumber is critical if you plan to make a walking stick. Since the stick will be long and thin, it should be made...

Woodcarving is a hobby and revenue-producing craft for many artisans all over the world. As such, many carving tools of all shapes and sizes are manufactured to produce various types of cuts and...

Decorate shelves, walls or table tops with homemade wooden birds. Hang a handmade bird from the back of a chair, curtain rod, a hook above the porch or place it in a tree. Hand crafted birds can...

Arctic stone carving, primarily done by the Inuit population of Canada's far north, represents a variety of techniques and materials. At least 30 different Inuit communities produce carvings and...

Traditionally made from such natural materials as wood, bone and antler, hand-carved Scottish dirk handles date back to the oldest incarnation of the weapon. Though most dirks on the market arrive...

American Indians have used the eagle bone whistle for centuries as a musical instrument in religious ceremonies. The bones of a bald eagle were traditionally used. A healthy-sized turkey bone can...

Gouging chisels are recognized by their "smile" or amount of bevel cast into the end. There are two basic types of gouging chisels: firmer and paring. A firmer gouge is used to dig out broad...

Stone birdbaths make a great decorative addition to any yard. Making a stone birdbath for your yard is a time-consuming process. Carving stone takes time, energy and the proper tools to complete...

Carving plaster is akin to the grand sculptural tradition of carving stone. However, using plaster is less expensive, lighter, softer and easier to chisel, and, unlike stone, can be worked...

One of the most difficult parts of doing your own carpentry or woodcraft project is finishing the edges of your handiwork. Sanding the edges can provide a soft, supple finish that gives your final...

Creating a whistle is a great project for beginner or novice whittlers. The basic construction is simple, but the possibilities for shaping and decorating can be endless. With a few simple tools...

Limestone is considered one of the premier stones to sculpt with. While it's natural composition does not allow it to polish well, it is good for showing detail and for sculpting a complex figure....

Chisels are used in many different types of projects. Chisels allow users to make precise cuts that normal blades can't reach, allowing craftsmen to fit pieces into place with keen precision....

The Leatherman Super Tool is a combination tool that features 18 tools and blades. Each tool has its own slot in the base of the Super Tool to allow for easy and compact storage. Most Super Tools...

Leather sharpening straps, or strops, have been used for centuries to hone and sharpen blades. Useful for razors, knives and other tools, a strop is a handy device to have around. If you work with...

Scrimshaw is the delicate art of scratching designs on ivory, bone, nut palm or other hard surfaces. Scrimshaw techniques date back hundreds of years, but became popular during New England whaling...

Wooden cigar store Indians have stood outside tobacco shops for decades. They came into existence at a time when illiteracy was high, as a way to let customers know they could purchase tobacco in...

Soapstone is a metamorphic rock with a high talc content, which makes it soft and soapy feeling. The soft physical characteristics make soapstone an ideal carving material, especially for...

Chip carving, often referred to as spoon carving, is a wood craft art form that involves the removal of wood chips from a work surface to bring out design patterns and sometimes even images. Chip...

A wooden rough out is a partly finished wood carving that lacks the detail work. Because starting with a rough out saves time, they are ideal for professional carvers who make a living selling...

Carving wood faces into walking sticks is a tradition that goes back centuries. The faces, called wood spirits, are part of an American Indian legend that still fascinates people today, making...

Wood gives gracefully enough to shape into a beautiful butterfly. You can enjoy spending your time patiently crafting the divine creature's fine contours. The golden rule for carving a butterfly...

Soapstone is a common material for making household fixtures and much more. The stone is named after its soapy texture. The stone became popular in the early 1900's.

Stone sculpting and engraving is an art form that requires the skill and patience to work with hard materials to create everything from sculpted statues to headstones for graves. Stone sculpting...

From cave men to high school couples, people have been engraving images and designs on rocks for centuries. Whether the carvings are for religious ceremony or a demonstration of love, there are...

Designing your own stamps is a fun way to exercise your creative muscles. Not only can you actually use your own pencil design to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind rubber stamp, but you can also...

Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts often choose to personalize a knife by making a new handle from a trophy animal part such as a deer hoof. While not to everyone's personal taste, deer hooves make a...

Egg shells from ostriches are used in many different crafts and art forms. They're painted and carved with intricate designs by craftsman and artisans from many different countries and cultures. A...

Although it is little known, two of the principal ingredients of a good margarita are also powerful rust removers, namely salt and humble lime juice. The lime juice technique is a cheap and all...

Adding inlay to any object, whether it is a piece of furniture, a musical instrument, or a piece of wooden art, can add an extra level of beauty. An inlay can be anything from casting resin to...

Carving with stencils is a favorite method for woodworkers who enjoy carving but lack the skills to create detailed images without a guide. Stencil designs and images can be purchased in hobby...

The Dremel rotary power cutter is a handy all-in-one tool that allows you to cut, engrave and sand, all with the same tool and a selection of attachments. A Dremel power carver is fun, easy to...

Roses are among the most beloved of all flowers. People are always looking for ways to preserve cut roses--any way to make them last longer. Perhaps the next best thing to a real rose is a...

You can make a spoon out of a coconut shell. It is a process that requires a long time and hard work. Spoons made from a coconut shell often look rough and worn, but can also have that island...