Wood carving
This section holds 3 reference tables with 65 records and 9 articles. A reference library for whittling, chip, relief and spoon carving: which woods carve well, the named cuts, and what every tool in the roll is for.
3 tables · 65 records · 9 articles
Reference
Tables the patterns, tools and articles refer to. Filter and sort each one, or open a record.
| Table | Records | Fields |
|---|---|---|
| Carving woodsWoods for whittling, relief, spoon and figure carving, with hardness, grain character and what each is used for. | 24 | 7 |
| Carving cutsThe named cuts of whittling, chip carving, relief and spoon carving, what tool makes each and what it is for. | 18 | 4 |
| Carving tools glossaryKnives, gouges, axes, sharpening kit and work holding for carvers, with what each is used for. | 23 | 4 |
Articles
Short, practical, checked against the tables.
Basic whittling cuts
The four cuts that make up almost every whittled figure, and the order to use them in.
Updated 29 Sep 2026 · 2 minWood carvingBuilding a starter carving kit
Which knives, gouges and sharpening gear to buy first for whittling, chip carving, spoons and relief work, and what to leave until later.
Updated 30 Sep 2026 · 5 minWood carvingChip carving basics
How the three-corner chip, straight-line chip and curved chip are cut, how to lay out a pattern, and how to get clean, even pyramids.
Updated 30 Sep 2026 · 5 minWood carvingChoosing a carving wood
Why basswood is the usual first choice, when to pick something harder, and how grain direction decides whether a cut is clean.
Updated 29 Sep 2026 · 2 minWood carvingFinishing a carving
Sanding or leaving tool marks, sealing the wood, choosing oil, wax or paint, and how each treatment changes the look of carved detail.
Updated 30 Sep 2026 · 5 minWood carvingKeeping carving tools keen
Stropping, honing and when to regrind, for knives, gouges and V-tools.
Updated 29 Sep 2026 · 2 minPhoto tools
Listing photos, previews and printables from one photo of what you made in wood carving.
