Wednesday 24 March 2021

52 Weeks Of Carving

 I have kept my other blog sawdustinmysocks running for well over 10 years, sometimes I've put quite a bit on there and sometimes it's gone quiet.

This year I'm using it to document a challenge I've set myself where I'm trying to carve something every week to really develop my carving skills, something I've wanted to dedicate time to since I started to train to be a carpenter. 


I'm posting every week on there what carving and craft work I get up to and how I'm trying to learn the skills that I want. I'm enjoying the process and although it's a hard goal to set myself, I think that to do something like this every week is a great way to learn the skills and muscle memory needed. 


My new workbench is my latest project I've finished and I'm enjoying having it in my workshop - where I spend so much of my time! So if you're wondering what I do in the evenings my other blog has the answers - hopefully time better spent than watching TV. A few hours carving with a good audio book is sheer bliss! 

My workbench might be a bit over the top but let me know what you think! 

24 comments:

  1. Incredible. A true heirloom.

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  2. Hi Kev. Have you used a machine to carve with or is it chisels. Tony and I have been members of Coniscliffe Carving club for years. It's closed due to the pandemic at the moment but we can't wait to get back there.

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    1. All by hand. I've been collecting carving chisels for near two decades now when I've seen them so have a fair collection! What kind of stuff do you carve?

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    2. I love to do pictures in relief carving. I got reserve champion in Stokesley show a few years ago with one of my carvings. Got a first prize with another of them too

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    3. Brilliant! I hope I can keep doing this as a hobby, it's so calming. Need to try carving some different things, but with my background I'm drawn to the architectural carvings.

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  3. Amazing! No doubt the kids will be fighting over that piece. ;0D

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    1. Hope I have a few years use first though! Lol!

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  4. I think it's absolutely fabulous Kev, the poshest work bench I've ever seen!

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  5. wow...i am blown away!!! you must have the nicest workbench in existence!

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    1. It's a bit short - one like this but 10ft long would be even better if I had the space!

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  6. OMG, is there anything you can't do? The repetitive design is what makes this such an accomplishment. You won't want to be bashing stuff around on that lovely bench.

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    1. Plenty but I don't blog about those talents!

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  7. I'll add two points: As a career professional antique restorer and fine furniture finisher, I'd just love to get that bench to finish! Those carvings are just perfect for some color work - to make them look as 'real' and 'natural' as possible, yet enhanced by a finisher's hand and eye. Congratulations! Point Two: You just can not beat tried and proven classic designs. There is a reason they have passed the test of time. Again congrats! Keep up the work. I've found as I've grown and aged that the more I do something like this (my Dad was a champion carver, I'm a better turner) the more I do it, the easier it gets - and the less I waste muscle strength in places it is not needed. Cheers.

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    1. Thanks Tim! The light wood was deliberate though as (besides being easy to carve) I wanted it to be light in my quite small workshop. Any way to keep it light is the way forward in my workspace. I have done years of woodturning lessons as well, but unfortunately not done much in the last 10 years - need to get back on the lathe.

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  8. Absolutely beautiful! Lovely to see those intricate designs amidst all this lack of ornamentation in the name of minimalism. Have to have that bit of ornamentation! Enjoy seeing your workbench every day!

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  9. Wow, I am definitely impressed, Kev. You are a pro already. Nice job.

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