Sometimes when looking closely through the lens of my camera at a gifted artisan’s working hands, I see movements similar to the supple and exacting hand-motions of a musician. This is especially true when it comes to carving. Woodcarving requires a high-degree of free-hand skill. There are few opportunities to rely on jigs or fixtures. To master the skill, it helps to understand that it’s not simply how a carver slices the chisel’s cutting edge into wood grain, but also how tool grip and hand motion gets transmitted to the sharp end of the tool. If you’re like me, you’ll find this kind of closer examination instructive and inspiring. That’s why I made the video here featuring the Irion Company’s carving expert Brad Ramsay.

Brad is one these naturally gifted artists whose precise and flowing hand movements allow him to wield total control over his work. In this video segment we take a closer look at these motions as Brad explains how he uses his hands in a variety of ways to control his carving tools (chisels, gouges, or sweeps, etc). Among other subtleties, there are five (5) hand grips or motions worth examining in closer detail that increase carving control including; how to add power to your grip, how to use “skewing” motions to cut through difficult grain, how to lock the gouge into your palm & fingers by using your “pinky” or “little” finger, how to form a tool rest with your opposing hand, and how to choke up or down on your grip to alter your leverage and maximize control. — Keith (5 Minute Woodworking Video)

Brad Ramsay is the Irion Company’s in-house carving expert. The Irion Company specializes in the restoration, conservation, and hand-made reproduction of American antique furniture from the 18th and 19th century.

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Comments

In the same manner of quality and content that all your videos maintain, this one is a professionally documented wealth of information in the finer points of carving.

If this one video doesn’t improve my carving skills, I don’t know what will.

If it is possible to get the same type of coverage regarding sharpening a gouge, it would help to make the knowledge Brad has shared with us complete. I know – pushy bugger, aren’t I?

Mitchell

Keith’s Note: I’ll add this request to my list. It’s a good one.


IC Chestney

I sure enjoy the videos and have watched a number of them over and over. I am glad that I found this site. I do turning and intarsia, make pens, plates, bowls and special requested items. Thank You.


bill

I would like to add to Mitchell’s request. Would love to see more on sharpening, especially V-tool, curved scrapers, and other tools that require more than one flat chisel edge.

–Bill
Forest, VA

Keith Note: I’ve logged your request. It’s a good one. I’ll see what I can do.