Today's postings

  1. [Baren 26494] Re: arrivals (L Cass)
  2. [Baren 26495] Woodblock Tool Set ("Michael Horvath")
  3. [Baren 26496] Re: Woodblock Tool Set (Mike Lyon)
Member image

Message 1
From: L Cass
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 12:30:15 -0500
Subject: [Baren 26494] Re: arrivals
Send Message: To this poster


Charles - Thanks for the compliment - I too have sworn not to hand colour
any more - that's why the cards are so late - shall have to see if I can do
better with the rooster (maybe finally attempt moku hanga?!) I had started
a block based on a stylized Portugese enamel rooster I possess but now
have a wonderful photo I took recently of a rooster actually posing
for the TV camera at the Royal Winter Fair here in TO - he appeared to be
hynotized by his handler!
bw
Louise
Member image

Message 2
From: "Michael Horvath"
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 21:13:14 -0500
Subject: [Baren 26495] Woodblock Tool Set
Send Message: To this poster

Hello,

Can anyone recommend a beginners tool set? I checked out the Baren Mall and saw one set I particularly liked (student set, soft handled) - any thoughts on this one?

Thanks in advance,
Michael
Member image

Message 3
From: Mike Lyon
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 20:49:21 -0600
Subject: [Baren 26496] Re: Woodblock Tool Set
Send Message: To this poster

Michael wrote:
>Can anyone recommend a beginners tool set? I checked out the Baren Mall
>and saw one set I particularly liked (student set, soft handled) - any
>thoughts on this one?

My favorites for a very long time (now I'm more of a tool snob and have
much nicer tools -- nicer because the steel can be adjusted in the handles
as they are sharpened and become shorter) were the 5-piece Power Grip
Carving Tools Part No. 18C41 from Woodcraft Supply -- These are decent
Japanese steel (very thin layer of hard steel on the cutting side, backed
by softer steel) and will last you a long time(years) for only $26.99

One additional tool you might like to have is a larger, say 12-15mm?
shallow gouge... Choose the Sosaku (Modern knives) -- a #3 12 mm would be
a good choice for $23.96 -- a 4.5 or 6mm Hangi-toh from Michi would provide
a MUCH better tool than the one included in the set -- $21.25 -- this is
probably the most important of the tools, and will provide exceptional
service for MANY YEARS!

Here's a direct link (be sure to get the whole thing if you have to copy
and paste into your browser -- it's a LONG one!

http://www.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/product_family.asp?family%5Fid=1349&gift=False&0=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D10000%26Tree%3D%2CDepartments&1=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D1053%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D0%2CCarving&2=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D2266%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D1%2CCarving%20Tools%20%2D%20Miscellaneous%20Makers&Gift=False&mscssid=08D6B9367744C428BA747DEDA9495B66

The soft-handle ones on Baren Mall are crummy (no good) and you should not
get them (in my opinion).

You'll also need a way to a) hone and b) sharpen your tools -- honing needs
to be performed OFTEN during carving, sharpening much less often. The
sharpening stone kit on Baren Mall is very inexpensive -- I haven't tried
these, though, so can't say one way or the other... If it were me, I'd get
them, and also get some coarse honing compound (try woodworker supply
again) and you can rub some on paper for a temporary strop or on leather
(grain side, not suede) for a more permanent solution.

Good luck!

Mike


Mike Lyon
Kansas City, Missouri
http://mlyon.com