The Book of Wood Carving: Technique, Designs and Projects

This book proved to be a great resource to me. The author was a master carver and his writing, suggestions, and format are amazingly insightful. I methodically followed his steps and feel my first attempt of carving selected cherry wood for a saw vise turned out quite satisfactorily with a pleasing result. My tracings were of actual oak and elm leaves with a few added acorns. I am positive the author was not only a master at is craft but also a highly gifted and practically minded teacher. During my allotted carving times I also reminded myself that “slow is fast” as I am typically not the most patient individual. My carving times have helped me to slow down and better appreciate the moment.

This book is an excellent resource for an intermediate woodworker. not so much for a new carver.

This is a good book for someone wanting to get a feel for traditional wood carving. A couple of things I like.1. It requires minimal outlay for tools. Sayers intentionally limits you to the same four tools he limited his students to. You will use these for all the lessons in the book. These will set you back $150 or so depending on where and what brand you get. Don't cheap out. Good carving tools cost money and last forever. Personally, I like the brand the author recommends, but generally any FULL SIZE (not palm) carving tool made in England, Germany, Austria or Switzerland are of excellent quality. The recommended tools are #39 V-tool 1/2", #5 5/8", #1 1", #7 3/8". The metric equivalents would be #39 13mm, #5 16mm, #1 25mm, #7 10mm. The #39 V-tool is a 60 degree.2. Each lesson is step by step description with a photo telling you which tool to use for which cut. The lessons aren't verbose but contain all the information you need. Sayers tells you the general size of the board to use and leaves drawing the design on the board up to you. The lessons have pictures that are drawn out and a portion of it is carved. It makes it easy to translate from a two dimensional drawing to a three dimensional carving.Some people will feel there should be more pictures and step by step directions, but I don't. To learn to carve, you need to carve. Reading about carving will not make you a carver. The author describes things well, but doesn't prattle on and on about it. You will re-read his words many times in a lesson and you will find he tells you everything you need to do.Some may feel you need more tools to be a carver and that is true if you go on to become a professional wood carver you will naturally acquire more tools. You don't need more than what the author states. It's important to learn to use a few tools well rather than having a bunch and second guessing yourself on which to use when. Learn to use the tools outlined in the book and if and when the time comes for more tools you will know what you need because you will know what your current tools can't do.One thing not listed but that you will need is a sharpening stone. You don't need to go fancy or expensive but you will need to be able to sharpen the gouges to a highly polished edge. Read what the author says and follow his advice. You will not be able to carve if your tools are not sharp.This book is not for whittlers or caricature carvers, this book is for those wishing to learn the type of carving you see in architecture, on furniture, picture frames and fine furniture.UPDATE! Read the comment to this review and my comment to the comment.

Maybe I shouldn't review this since it was written by my grandfather. But what the heck. Note that this book was originally published in 1942 then picked up by Dover Press in 1970 and been in continuous publication ever since. It helped me get started in my woodcarving career. I should have studied more with him as a teenager when I had the chance, but you know how teenagers are.... Anyway for what it is worth I recommend the book. It is clear and concise, you can do all the exercises in book with only 4 tools, which is nice because the tools aren't cheap. The designs are classic and can be reused in lots of projects.

I purchased this book used and found it to be in good condition with no markings inside although there was some cover damage. The information inside is good. This book was published in 1942 and some of the information is a little dated. It has some excellent patterns for begging carvers like myself. The patterns help the carver learn how to read and carve with the wood grain.Grab a piece of scrap wood and make as many mistakes as possible before starting a project that you want to keep.

I loved your books, the designs are outstanding, requires allot of thought and work, both area's I am willing to work with. I havePTSD from the Gulf Wars, hope these books and ideas will keep the demanons away while I work, Some of the patterns rememberme of place were peace once was..

Good starter knowledge.

This may be an old classic but as a beginner reading this at home (not in a class with an instructor,) I found it really bad. Most of the instruction is a bit vague and makes reference to low quality pictures. For example, when explaining the proper technique at the beginning of the book, the advice is basically to hold the tool at the correct angle, as seen in an underexposed photo taken from an off angle where you can't see the angle he's using. It's not all that bad but none of what I read was very good either. I ended up returning it.I also found the projects from the lessons pretty dated. They're the kind of simple, rough carvings that you might have seen on wooden "knick knacks" at your grandparents' house. I would highly recommend a book like Chris Pye's Woodcarving Course & Reference Manual instead. The instruction is far better, the illustrations are far more effective and his work is beautiful and modern.

libro anni 70, con i suoi pro e i contro. adatto come primo libro per principianti, organizzato in esercizi per imparare le tecniche a difficoltà crescente

very good book, has information on types of woods and finishing as well as designs. My grandson will love it as he isenjoying working with wood and this will expand his knowledge and refine his work.

I have been handed over an old stock with cracked front and side. It is not worth the price.contents are ok and basic helps you as a beginner.

I ordered this for someone else as they didn't have the internet and they wanted this along with a couple of books and they've been very happy with the items

good book