The Complete Book of Woodcarving: Everything You Need to Know to Master the Craft [Paperback]

Everett Ellenwood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2008

From making the first cut to applying the finish, this comprehensive reference details every aspect of woodcarving. All the essentials are covered for beginning woodworkers, such as how to choose appropriate woods; how to set up a wood shop; how to select, use, and sharpen tools; and how to perform fundamental techniques, such as the push cut, pull cut, stop cut, and slicing cut. General carving styles, from classical to whimsical to rustic, are also covered, as are the basic steps of power carving. Eight projects designed to help newer woodworkers build proficiency and a handy resource section round out this fully illustrated, must-have resource for woodcarvers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book is perfect for any woodworker looking to expand their talents, a seasoned carver refining their skills, or a beginner newly introduced to this fulfilling craft. Brimming with expert instruction and nine attractive projects, the book will teach you a variety of classic carving styles and techniques along with the fundamentals of wood and tool selection, sharpening, creating a workspace, and finishing your completed work. - Woodturning Magazine, United Kingdom

If there is one book that encompasses all a beginner needs to know about woodcarving in a simple and clear way, then it’s this volume from Everett Ellenwood. -Woodworking Plans & Projects

 

Learning the art of carving is not as daunting a task as it might seem, with the help of a comprehensive new reference from one of America's premier artists and carving instructors, Everett Ellenwood. - Chip Chats

About the Author

Everett Ellenwood has been a carving instructor for more than 25 years. He has made two bestselling videos, Beginning Woodcarving and Sharpening Simplified. He lives in Rochester, Minnesota.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing (June 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565232925
• ISBN-13: 978-1565232921
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent for a beginner like me, March 1, 2009

By 

BobbyT "BobbyT" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Book of Woodcarving: Everything You Need to Know to Master the Craft (Paperback)

Excellent for a beginner like me. I have hobby skills, but no carving skills. This book provided excellent advice to get me started. For instance: Do not but buy a kit of tools; buy these (specific) tools to get you started. Buy high quality tools. Buy and WEAR a safety glove....one has no idea how razor sharp these tools are ...and MUST be to enjoy carving. Species of wood to buy and carving characteristics. Carving methods. Sharpening methods. Finishing methods. And , of course, a few projects from extremely basic to hot shot.

Know that this book is heavy in hand carving and light on rotary application.

I complimented this books on wood chipping, and carving a Blue Teal. I had four projects of various skills going on at one time to keep my interest, apply new learning, and get instant gratification.

Highly recommend the book.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference For Woodcarving, May 25, 2009

By 

ME Forry "Hobbyist" (Hamilton, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Book of Woodcarving: Everything You Need to Know to Master the Craft (Paperback)

This is an excellent reference book for those getting started in woodcarving. Everett helped me understand the different kinds of woodcarving, the tools required and sharpening systems available. Importantly, he provides a pro's and con's comparison of the different techniques that proved very helpful in generating an understanding of what is required.

By the time I started meeting other woodcarvers at clubs and shows, I had a good working knowledge of what I wanted to do and what I needed. Plus, I had a good understanding of the language of the woodcarving art. This guide helped me make the best choices for the tools I needed to get started.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous Carving Resource, November 3, 2009

By 

Paul T. (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Book of Woodcarving: Everything You Need to Know to Master the Craft (Paperback)

This book is incredible!! It covers a great variety of information in exceptionally clear prose and the numerous photos are fabulous. All in all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime reference book.

For example, the 50-page sharpening "chapter" (treatise) is a masterpiece of practical, useful tips on bringing out the best in your tools. No needless fluff, no pitching of over-priced gadgets, nothing but good, solid information about sharpening properly and with a minimum of expense, time and trouble. Not interested in a pair of $100 diamond stones? No problem; the author describes which grits of wet-dry paper will do the same job- for a whopping $2- and how to use them so they won't damage your tools. Problems with a gouge not reaching into the corners? Here's how to re-shape it properly. Etc, etc, etc; the sharpening chapter is absolutely amazing!

Each and every other chapter is similarly thorough and wonderfully practical, and I couldn't be more pleased or impressed. The sample projects are well chosen and make me want to start several of them immediately. Thank you ever so much, Mr. Ellenwood, for such a fine encyclopedia of all things carving-related! Your book will undoubtedly cause generations of carvers to enjoy their hobby a great deal more, and you are to be commended.