Chip Carving: Techniques For Carving Beautiful Patterns By Hand

by Daniel Clay

Back in the good old days, Daniel Clay would come visit Tools for Working Wood and spread his magical ability to teach chip carving. It’s been several years since we have hosted Daniel, so we were delighted to offer his book as an alternative.

“The Art Of Chip Carving” is an easy to follow, step-by-step guide to one of the world’s most ancient and widely practiced forms of woodcarving. Wherever people have had wood and knives, you’ll find wood art with decorative incisions. Chip carving is simple, elegant and entertaining. Daniel himself began chip carving to pass the long Maine winter days. Now based in Tennessee, Daniel is a furniture maker who incorporates the decorative elements of chip carving in his designs. In this comprehensive guide, he’ll show you the needed tools and how to sharpen them, how to select and prepare wood for carving, how to transfer carving patterns, how to carve safely and precisely, and how to read and understand wood grain for both cutting and finishing.

The book offers step-by-step guidance through two practice boards to build your skills, and then walks you through ten beginner projects that allow you to put your skills to use.

“The Art of Chip Carving” is filled with photographs, including ones focusing on true fundamentals such as the proper hand gripping. You’ll learn lettering, freehand doodles and more – all the better to decorate your spoons, frames, boxes, and artwork.

Forward by Nancy Hiller. 8″ x 9″ trade paperback filled with photos and a chapter of 100% scale patterns. 208 pages.

Pages: 208
Binding: TP
Publisher: Blue Hills