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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There are perhaps as many ways to sharpen tool edges as there are opinions on the matter. In this video, we take a closer look at one of those methods — sharpening with waterstones, a method that consistently receives high ratings among many top artisans. Proponents say that waterstones are fast-cutting, relatively clean (as opposed to oil stones), compact, and generally affordable, qualities that make this sharpening solution worthy of your consideration and in-depth study.

In this video, cabinetmaker and sharpening guru Craig Vandall Stevens takes a closer look at some of the varieties of waterstones available and in use today, including the Shapton, Takenoko, and King brands of stones. For the most part, man-made stones manufactured with either aluminum oxide or ceramic dominate the market, but there are also natural whetstones which remain available for specialized applications. Craig’s interest and expertise in sharpening makes this a unique opportunity to learn more about this art and skill. In this video learn how to flatten and maintain Japanese waterstones using 150 grit sandpaper and a flat-milled machinists’ reference granite. Craig also suggests a useful collection of grits and styles of stones for maximum efficiency and value. And he discusses how natural Japanese quarried stones might fit into the mix. — Keith (8 Minute Woodworking Video)

Whether it’s a circular veneered table apron, a contemporary laminated chair back, or a flowing architectural column, if it’s a curve made with wood it’s most likely created using a process called bent wood lamination. One of the most common ways of pressing and clamping these laminations is to use a vacuum bag system.

In this video, the journeyman cabinetmakers at the Robert Treate Hogg Cabinetmakers give us a complete introduction to this versatile and useful technique. It’s a process they use almost daily. RT Hogg’s president, Michael Hoffmeier describes their method, which centers on the use of specialty 3/8th inch flexible plywood. This remarkable material (also known as wacky wood or bending plywood) can be easily formed into tight curves allowing the artisan almost unlimited design possibilities. First, the core is glued-up, vacuum pressed, and dried. And then the finished veneer is applied. With experience the process is efficient and highly controllable. In this video, learn about proper glue selection, flexible ply construction tips and tricks, vacuum bagging and veneering skills. — Keith (9 Minute Woodworking Video)

Robert Treate Hogg Cabinetmakers (pronounced “Hoge”) hand-make commissioned, limited production furniture, architectural cabinets and fixtures. Originally founded in 1936, Hogg specializes in high-end audio-visual lecterns and podiums for higher education. They are based in Oxford, Pennsylvania.