Part 1 of the Wood Carving with Children Series, with Annie Haas and Schaaf Tools. You can find more from Annie on her IG. Please reach out directly to Schaaf Tools to learn about their educational discounts on wood carving tools. Schaaf Tools spoke with Annie Haas on wood carving with children. We covered safety tips, resources, projects, why wood carving, and more. Annie wants to empower you with this truth: You don't need to be an expert woodworker to introduce your children to whittling and carving. You don't need to outsource to a professional or sign up for expensive online classes (though those are great too!). You can do this yourself, and we're going to show you how to...
For some reason as we get older, so many of us do less and less creative activities. I have theories about why that is: we begin to rely more on established knowledge and routine as adults. We're taught to stray towards the safe, familiar things instead of the novel. We become self conscious and caught up in the idea that we might fail or be bad at something. Or maybe it's just because so much of our energy is taken up by living life - which, as incredible as it is - can be exhausting. I have noticed that adults in my circles who were encouraged to be creative as kids are more likely to come back to some creative...
Are you struggling to maintain control over your whittling knife? Do your hands cramp after short sessions, or do you find yourself fighting your knife instead of working with it? Improper whittling knife grip is one of the most common issues among beginning whittlers, and it's often the root cause of poor cuts, fatigue, and safety concerns. Once you understand and correct these fundamental grip mistakes, your whittling will immediately become more enjoyable, efficient, and safe. Why Proper Whittling Knife Grip Matters Correct knife grip gives you precise control over your blade, keeps you safe if the knife slips, reduces hand fatigue, and allows for clean, intentional cuts. Whether you're using our 3pc Whittling Knife Set or 5pc Whittling Knife...
Standing in front of a blank piece of basswood with your carving tools ready, you might feel confident about your cutting techniques—but how do you get your design onto the wood accurately? Whether you're planning to carve a detailed relief panel or a simple decorative element, transferring your pattern cleanly and precisely is crucial for successful results. Many beginning wood carvers struggle with this seemingly simple step, often ending up with smudged lines, misaligned designs, or patterns that disappear after the first few cuts. The good news? With the right techniques, pattern transfer becomes straightforward and reliable. In this guide, we'll walk through two proven methods for transferring patterns to wood. By the end, you'll have the confidence to tackle...
