Wood carving

Wood species, basic cuts, tools

Wood species

Hardness●○○○○

Soft, even grain — best for beginners

Basic cuts

  • Push cut
    Basic cut away from you — blade control
  • Stop cut
    Vertical cut before slicing — boundary for the cut
  • Paring cut
    Like peeling potato — toward you, thumb control
  • V-cut
    Two meeting cuts — for lines and details
Start with basswood and one sharp knife. Always cut AWAY from yourself, keep thumb out of blade path. A sharp knife is safer than dull — dull makes you push hard.