When many people first start learning woodcarving, they maintain a “Buy! Buy! Buy!” Like a high degree of enthusiasm, buy dozens of pieces at once. But the novice in the engraving tools do not know much about the situation, buy back the engraving tools may be mostly only put in the corner of the room to collect dust. In order to avoid wasting money and time, it is recommended that newbies buy some classic engraving tools to get started. Taken together, this guide introduces a few engraving tools for beginners.
Engraving Knives
There are many types of carving knives, so you don’t need to buy all of them, just choose the two classic types of carving knives: the rounded knife and the flat knife. Choose a few of the two classic types of carving knives, you can start to complete the creation of some small wood carving crafts, is the best choice for novice training.
1, arc knife
Arc knife is mainly used for carving wood carving design drawings depicted on some patterns and patterns and wood carving on some round, round indentation at the details. Different types of knives, the use of different, beginners choose 0.8com arc knife for carving patterns and 2cm arc knife to deal with round can be. Of course, when using the knife, we should pay attention to distinguish between positive and negative, the knife groove has a beveled surface for the positive; the knife groove is straight for the negative.
2, flat knife
In the carving process, the most used is the flat knife. This carving tool edge straight, mainly used for chopping and shoveling the surface of the wood bump, so that it is smooth without marks. Carve a large amount of wood block choose 2cm or 1.5cm width diameter flat knife, large diameter flat knife can make the surface of the wood block the overall feeling of the effect is obvious. Carving lines choose 1cm or 0.5cm flat knife. The tip of the knife perpendicular to the surface of the block can be carved patterns or pick lines.
How to use a carving knife correctly
1. Understanding the wood grain
When carving a block of wood, you need to determine the direction of the wood grain and find a smooth grain pattern. Beginners can save a lot of effort and reduce time by using the correct carving techniques after finding the direction of the wood grain.
2. Knife alignment
Judge the direction of the wood grain, horizontal or oblique cut off the direction of the wood grain knife, so that the carving knife and the wood grain into a small angle knife, as shown in the figure below. Pay attention to the angle between the carving knife and the wood grain, the smaller the angle the more labor-saving. At the same time, the thinner the wood being cut, the lower the cutting efficiency. On the contrary, the larger the cutting angle, the more force is required, but the higher the cutting efficiency.
Beginners should not go with the grain of the knife, this is the most common mistake. Because the knife with the grain is the most energy-saving, carving knife in the direction of the grain of the tree is subject to the least resistance. However, it is easy to appear irregular knife marks (wood split along the grain), or in the carving of small details, the entire detail part of the situation are shoveled out.
Wood Handling Tools
The recommended regular square or round shape of wood for beginners to choose for carving is easy to handle. Of course, twigs and branches or leftover trimmings from someone else will also work. Before carving to wood processing, quickly turn it into the desired shape, so we need to know what wood processing tools should be used by novices.
1.saw
Beginners need to use a regular saw for cutting if they choose a large piece of wood for carving. Or it will be used when you need to cut the desired size from a large piece of wood. It is recommended that you just purchase a regular hand saw. You will also need to purchase a wire saw for shaping to create shapes and contours for wood carving.
2.Table clamp
Beginners who often have to saw small pieces of wood to perfect the details of their wood carving can buy a bench vise. But this is not a necessity. Beginners who need to buy it are advised to go to a quality-assured platform with after-sales service, such as Katway.
Sanding and polishing tools
1.Polishing
After the carving of the work is completed, remember to do some important follow-up work. First of all, sanding and polishing, this stage mainly with sandpaper. Suggested purchase: 180, 240, 320, 400, 800, 1000, 1500 can be, basically to 1000 on enough. Pick the coarser particles, not easy to lose sand.
2.waxing
Next is to give the wood carving works on the wax, wax can protect the work, prevent moisture loss so that the work cracked. Many dyes and wood paint on the market also has the role of protecting wood carving, but there will be odor affecting health. Suggest that beginners choose natural beeswax, and environmental protection ah and have a good protective effect effect. Of course, the novice does not give the work on the wax is okay, this period is mainly a practice phase, the work does not look good waste is okay.
Conclusion
At the beginner stage, the focus is on practicing the basics of good wood carving. Starting with engraving tools, choosing the right basic and classic engraving tools for yourself will allow you to practice the basic skills of wood carving and help you gain experience. With time, you may be the next wood carving master.
