Customer Reviews

Manual of Traditional Wood Carving (Dover Woodworking)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is more than I expected for.
I used to do some woodcarving for more than 4 years then I was teenager and had pretty good teacher explaining woodcarving itself. but this book gave much better understanding about wood, tools and techniques. I've got so many answers into questions which couldn't find by myself.

This is a very worthwhile addition to a woodcarvers' library. I have not read or worked through the entire book yet (it is truly enormous, and I already have most of the skills so it is re-capping them for me) but it is worth 5 stars for the pictures alone - many, many examples of carved furniture through history. Books with that many photos of historical pieces are hard to come by and usually very, very expensive. So for that alone it is worth the price.

I cannot yet comment on the written content nor how suitable it would be for a beginner, but it is certainly worth a look.

This is one of those rare books written a long time ago (early 1900s) when craftsmen and artists actually made their livings working with their hands (after serving apprenticships under masters). Their art went on to be perfected during a time when such hand-craftsmanship was valued and rewarded albeit simply and honestly. The treasure trove of techniques and historical information in this book is the kind that I typically find only in old books like this one. 'Very applicable to todays professional or recreational woodworker/carver and to those simply interested in historical carved styles evident in todays antiques.

You have to be really motivated to glean the information in this book. While a lot of information is there, the print is small and the illustrations for actually learning how to do the process are few. You must have a learning style that accepts mostly words to describe three dimensional concepts.

GOOD BOOK AND VERY USEFUL NICE PATTERN,DESIGN,INSTRUCTION STEP BY STEP.
THE GREAT BOOK IN YOUR COLLECTION.

I own some 200 + books on Woodcarving, and am always seeking more worth adding,...but this little (?) book has GOT to be my # 1 Favorite !!!
As a woodcarver of 40 years, and a teacher (for free, to the historical community) I cannot recommend this book high enough.
I Just ordered/received a 2nd copy of it, because my first copy was so well-loved over the years, that it's starting to fall apart at the seams,.....(From all the xeroxes for my own files and projects and class hand-outs)

If you love old-world/English woodcarvings, this one cannot be beat. It was first published in 1911 in the UK, so the contents in it are English examples,....that cover Gothic, Jacobean, Linenfold, Scandanavian, etc etc. The illustrations are all in black and white, but they fill the pages with that and clear line drawings,...and SCADS of patterns you can enlarge to start new projects.

As a Medieval Re-inactor for the last 30 years, this book has been a Wonderful source of inspiration to both myself and my students,....I still have not carved a Fraction of the things from it that I long to get to,...but for my students,...they are as awed by it, as I have been,...

The beginning of the book covers all the basics such as tools and sharpening and the uses of them. I tend to skip over all that, and go straight to the projects which are well-covered,.....but my students greatly benefit from those early chapters.

There are patterns and instructions in it for assorted shelves, boxes, furniture (like spinner's chairs) Linen-fold panels, Gothic Tracery, Jacobean Strapwork, Coalboxes, thermometer frames, Coats of Arms (the carving of attractive displays of them) Furniture and architectural details,...the list goes on and on. The book is reasonably priced. Though it's a softback, the ONLY reason my first copy is getting loose is from 30+ years of loving,...like a cherished Teddy bear that's lost one eye and some of it's stuffing,....There is NO book in my 10,000 + private library, that has been so well loved and cherished,...

this book was for a friend. he is enjoying it immensely. i was very pleased with the service i received from amazon.

The language is a little dated but the explanations, drawings, and techniques are invaluable for any level of carving.

The newer books on woodcarving offer more modern methods yet they don't cover the complete processes. This book does just that. One can apply the methods gained from this book using newer tools after the entire process is known. This book provides just that.

This book is full of information, with a catch. It is like a hundred years old! and has never been updated. To sharpen chisels, it recommends a three foot diameter grinding wheel set in the ground. good for traditionalists.