Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

The book is beautifully illustrated. Has many interesting projects in it. Reads like a trade manual from a carver's school. Has everything needed for a successful carving experience.

Last October, I won Best of Show with one of my carvings. Then I received this book for Christmas. It was my favorite gift. I'd recommend it highly - whether you're a beginning or you've been carving for a while. It's thorough, well-written and nicely done.

By the time I worked my way through this excellent book, I felt I'd been carving for months instead of days. I can't imagine a better introductory guide to the craft of woodcarving than this one.

I should have bought this book first and I would not have spent money on any other beginner books. Very informative and easy to read. Covers all aspects of woodcarving from beginning to end and tool sharpening too.

As a relative beginner, I was looking for something that could take me a long way into carving. I looked at many, many books and this one seemed, by other's reviews, to be the one for me. Indeed, I am very pleased with my purchase! It is detailed enough and has ideas enough to keep me busy for a long while. I'd highly recommend this!

I will try to make this short and sweet. This big, paper-back book has just about everything but a human hand in it to give you "hands-on-lessons".... I opened the book at a random place and was shocked by the great, clear photos and understandable print. I started going through the entire book...skimming... and was so impressed with all and every proceedure you might encountner in woodcarving.

For a beginner this book should be a must. For a more experienced carver...this is great for tune-ups.

Thank you for this book!

This book is well sub-titled: "Everything you need to know to master the craft". Because it's true. I can't think of anything overlooked, missed, or misrepresented. This book should almost be classified as an instruction manual/encyclopedia. I'm a beginning carver, and this had everything I wanted and needed to know. One more thing, it's exhaustive. It covers everything in quality detail and volume. The author didn't try to leave anything out here (unlike other unmentionable books I have looked at).

6 Stars! Worth every last penny. I doubt you will find one used, because I'm sure other people are like me: I'll never be letting go of my copy.