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

I've bought many books on various styles of wood carving. This one has the very best descriptions and pictures regarding precisely how to sharpen the various carving knives, chisels and gouges and how to correct improperly sharpened V-tools and gouges. This alone was worth the purchase to me. There's a nice assortment of project plans with directions and patterns in the back covering several different styles of carving. I think this is a great book for both beginners and folks who've been carving who might want to check out other styles of the craft. The author covers in great and practical detail the tools and safety aids needed.

Very helpful. Trying to understand all the tools is still tough. They tell you buy one tool at a time and not get a kit. While more expensive, buying a kit allows you to try out different tools.The other thing is carving is like being sculptor. I can see what Bernini did in his famous sculptors but what isn't clear is how did he know what to sculpt and what not to sculpt. Carving has many of the same characteristics. Donatello did some wood sculptors and the process was probably much the same when he used marble. Just different tools.The book can give you the basics but the person holding the tool determines how great the results will be. No book can do that.

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.

Very interesting and helpful book. Full of historical details, very good information on wood types, carving technique, and really great project ideas. Quite helpful design pattern package download available. I'm very happy with this addition to my woodworking books.

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!

I bought this as a gift for my husband and he is really enjoying it. He wants to take up wood carving as a new hobby and has found this book to be very informative for a beginner. It discusses the different types of carving, the tools and supplies needed, as well as methods, etc. these are just a few of the things he has commented on while reading the book. Although I have not read the book myself I will give it five stars based on his reaction.

Great book with lots of details and explanations. However, this is more for the adult rather than the teenager wanting to learn to carve. The wood suggested must be purchased special (and can get expensive) and the tools required can also run expensive. My son used the school woodworking shop to cut out his projects, but even still hasn't been able to finish the project yet. The book has great ideas if you want to be an expert carver, but if you are just learning - then look into something a little simpler.

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.

This is very good book for beginners. Whereas many books give you a brief overview of the "behind the scenes" to the actual carving (they tell you what chisels to use for each job), this one takes you through it all step-by-step.It gives you a thorough grounding in the basics (that you do need to understand to be able to tackle the more complicated stuff). It tells you in detail about equipment, about the types of chisels used (and what techniques they are used for) as well as an excellent guide to sharpening (different techniques needed for different chisels--it is more complicated than you would think) and help on the various cuts to make. There is some info, also, on power carving, but this is primarily aimed at manual carvers.It really is a great book to build from and go back to. Whereas other carving books will lead you into more complicated projects, this is perfect to start off with. There are a couple of advanced designs in it, but the rest are very simple and at the perfect level for a beginner.Note: Be sure, also, to check out Chris Pye's videos on his website. For about a fiver a month you can access a very good range of HD content, which I have found as helpful as anything else.

I was disappointed. If it contains what you want to know then it is a nice book with many good quality photographs and probably warrants about four stars.However it seems to lack many of the topics that I had hoped to read about. I've not yet read every word but have scanned through it several times and studied the index and have been unable to find anything about the following : Carving musical instruments, bows or hollow objects. Working with ash or yew. Using an axe, crooked knife or stone tools.These are perhaps less commonly encountered than the decorative subjects that the book focuses on but it does claim to be "the complete book of..." If the information provided is transferable to these areas this is not made obvious.If you want to carve decorative objects and have quite a high level of artistic ability (or are willing to accept what you can achieve) this looks like it is probably a useful book. I don't know enough to confirm that what it contains is correct.However it is probably a book with a misleading title.

Brought as a Christmas present but looked through it myself, amazing book really takes everything back to basics to teach you everything you need to know on the subject before starting any projects really make it easy for anyone even complete novices wanting to learn more on the subject.

Great book. Very detailed about equipment and tecniques. I was looking for a guide how to carve on obejects as i have a particular idea in mind, I read the great reviews on Amazon and i decided to buy this copy. It has in introduction to carving and few project at the end, funny enuff one of the designs pictured is exactly what i was thinking for my project. So im absolutely super happy about this book.. Thanks Amazon :)))

Very dissapointed with this book. It tells you about the woods and treatment etc but not much description on carving. Nice pics but nothing else . I found it a waste of money compared to much cheaper and more informitive books

This is an excellent book, very concise with many images to help you build your wood carving skills..... Everett Ellenwood is an amazing carver, buy this book and you will not be disappointed.

I bought this for my Son who was starting out on woodcarving, he tells me it has all that he'll ever need to know so I would recommend it.

Brilliant book shows all aspects of carving my friend will be delighted with it.

This is by far the most detailed book for covering all aspects of the subject that I have seen.

Excellent book for beginner, some projects need power tools not just chisels or a knife but helped me decide which type of carving I want to do and great explanations on tools plus patterns

this was a present, the recipient seemed to like it. I'm sure it will be a good buy.

By far the best of the 4 books I bought on the subject. Comprehensive and clear.

Very pleased with book, lots of information and good photographs and instructions

Perfect

As as starter i needed somthiing which covered the whole spectrum of styles. Does everything I need to get started. Some projects for the beginner at the back.