Video Categories
- Tools & Equipment
- Sharpening
- Techniques
- Carving Matters
- Surface Decoration
- Thumbnail Carving x4
- Corner Leaf DVD x17
- 1-2 Introduction
- 3 Tool Selection
- 4 Bench Considerations
- 5 Low Angle Grip
- 6 High Angle Grip
- 7 Layout & Design
- 8 Stab & Angle Cuts
- 9 V tool
- 10 Shaping the Leaves - A
- 11 Shaping the Lobes
- 12 Shaping the Leaves - B
- 13 Training Exercise
- 14 Carving the Flutes
- 15 Redefining the Veins
- 16 Centre Boss'
- 17 Final Clean Up
- 18 Corner Leaf 2
- Victorian Lintel x7
- Introducing Mouldings
- Waterleaf Moulding x4
- Pizza Paddle x5
- Ornamental Carving
- Relief Projects
- In the Round Projects
- Letter Carving
Many carvers find it difficult and frustrating to sharpen their V tool correctly. No longer! Here is a logical, step by step method that will nail the V tool for you once and for all.
To get the most out of this series, please read the following notes:
1. I show you a hand sharpening method. I strongly suggest you follow the process like this, by hand, at least once. This slower method will give you a deep understanding of what it is you are doing, and the exactly what you are looking for.
2. Be patient and as accurate as you can. Keep looking at the edge and bevels to monitor what you are doing.
3. Complete each step so your V tool looks like the end picture before moving on to the next step. This is really important. Each step lays the foundation for the next.
4. Once you can confidently sharpen your V tool correctly by hand, by all means use power sharpening to speed up the process. But maintain the accuracy, particulary the cutting angles and edge squareness.
5. Subscribing members can download here a PDF with notes for this lesson and a crib sheet of the various steps to have beside you while you work.
6. Watch out for the star of this introductory video, Mr. Brick...
Lastly, For a complete look at sharpening your woodcarving gouges, see my book: 'Woodcarving, Tools, Materials & Equipment, Vol.1'.
Ed - Thanks for the suggestion. We'll make and post a fuller lesson on this as soon as we can.
Chris, interesting that half way through the audio went from right to keft, had to switch my ear buds, Chisel and a brick.... Aarrrgh, that hurts :-). Oscar
Oscar - Sorry, you will find odd glitches like that in these lessons, especially in our earlier offerings. Sometimes we notice a little fault only after we've gone way beyond where we can repeat the filming. We're woodcarvers at the end of the day and do our best!
HI Chris, I did not really mind.. it was just a post to let you know. Oscar
Chris. This V tool video was extra helpful for several reasons: (1) you did a voice over after the video was shot; (2) On my iMac, one can maneuver around back and forth very cleanly; this is really helpful when looking at features you might show in the video; (3) You also commented on the special features of the bent V tool (but even more would have been welcome) . Thanks! Bill.
Chris, During the Introduction at about 7:15 min...You mention the "Conical Shape"....and recommend flattening the cone. Would really appreciate your showing specifically "How" to do such flattening. Such process gets to be very touchy...to not damage anything etc. as your book describes quite well. Just a brief "showing" of the best means to get that metal removed...at ea. edge of the conical shape. Thanks!