THE OLD MILLRAT’S CARVING CORNER

Carving Tools

I have been carving for about 6 years now, using antique tools almost exclusively, although I did buy some power tools for carving. I have learned to dislike them except for hogging out a lot of wood quickly.

Here you can see some of my tools and some of my work.

First, I found 2 antique cast iron plates and bored holes for threaded rods to fit into them. I drilled the threaded rods for small brass supports to support my Dremel flex shaft tools. Presto! Antique Dremel tool holders.

It makes more sense with the tools in place.

I almost always use my restored antique carving tools. It took over 10 years to collect these tools. I make the handles for them in a style that is comfortable in my hand, and that I like to look at.

I also like my tools to have a different look than what everybody else has.

The wood is Honey Locust, and the antique look comes from buffing the wood with a wheel that was used to polish brass.  I made a few from white sapwood just for kicks.

These tools are always kept and carried in roll-up pouches.

I have a number of what I call specialty tools.

I also have some medium sized tools that I call sculpting tools.

And when I have to work on a large carving, I have some larger tools. The largest is 2” wide.

Most of my tools are carried in a mahogany box which I made. They just fit inside.

Here is the box, ready to travel.