However, the evolution of these basic chip carving tools did not stop here. Listening to the concerns and suggestions from hundreds of my students, I introduced a set of three tools in the early 1990s that was designed to produce maximum results with either the traditional or the more contemporary styles of chip carving.
Look at Figure 2-5 and examine the blade on knife 1. Notice how the radius has been reduced between the cutting edge and the back edge of the blade. The smaller radius means less metal in the wood while you are executing the cuts and, consequently, less chatter when you are carving curved chips. The handle was also made wider, giving the carver a greater, unobstructed viewing area in addition to providing a better grip. Knife 2 was added simply because the hands of a smaller person are smaller than those of larger carvers. While it may not seem like a big deal to many, having smaller tools can make a huge difference—just ask those with smaller hands! Other improvements to these U.S.-made knives include higher quality steel, reduced blade thickness, and precision grinding. These features mean that the knives will hold an edge well, will draw through the wood with less effort, and will require less sharpening time when brand new.
Figure 2-2. Seven of ten tools, specifically designed for chip carving, offered by a German company.
Figure 2-3. The Swiss eventually refined their approach to include only two basic tools—the cutting knife (1) and the stab knife (2).
Figure 2-4. Notice the downward angle of the blade as it comes from the handle of the main cutting knife. This blade angle was a huge innovation that helps in maintaining the consistency and proper angle for carving.
Figure 2-5. A set of three tools, introduced in the early 1990s, that was designed to produce maximum results with either the traditional or the more contemporary styles of chip carving.
Figure 2-6. Improvements to the Moor chip carving knives included a longer handle for knife 2 as well as more ergonomically shaped handles for knives 1 and 3.
Chip Tip
Moor knives are available either “pre-sharpened” or “unsharpened.” Whichever type you choose, you will need to keep them sharp. See Chapter Three: Sharpening for sharpening tips.
Figure 2-7. Notice how the ergonomic handle is designed for the proper grip.
Figure 2-8. Basic drawing tools: 0.5mm mechanical pencil with B lead, white polymer eraser, 12" T-square, and 6" bow compass.
Today’s Chip Carving Knives
The popularity of the original Moor knives did not mean there wasn’t room for improvement. Chip carvers discovered that the new small cutting knife (knife 2) was just the ticket for making those intricate and delicate chips (See Figure 2-6.). While carvers with smaller hands were delighted, those with larger hands asked for a longer handle. I also worked with the manufacturer to design an ergonomically shaped handle for knife 1 that would include precise features for the carver’s grip whether he or she is right- or left-handed (See Figure 2-7.).
Today’s chip carving knives feature a textured finish, technically referred to as “a coefficient of friction,” which means that they are easier to hold on to. The high-impact, synthetic handles are molded with interior fasteners, the blades are the same high-quality steel as the original Moor knives, and the knives continue to be made in the U.S.
DRAWING INSTRUMENTS
Chip carving is a fairly inexpensive carving style to practice due to the limited number of tools and drawing aids required. The new carver, therefore, is encouraged to purchase the best quality he or she can afford.
Basic Drawing Tools
A 0.5mm mechanical pencil with B lead for sharp and precise lines is a must (See Figure 2-8.). A 12" T-square that has both English or Imperial and metric markings is invaluable, as is a 6" bow compass. I use a white polymer eraser for removing or correcting pencil lines, and I buy them in bulk!
Chip Tip
A chip carver’s toolbox should include:
• 1 or 2 cutting knives
• stab knife
• 0.5mm mechanical pencil with B lead
• 12" T-square with both English or Imperial and metric markings
• 6" bow compass
• white polymer eraser
Templates
Another helpful tool is a border layout template (See Figure 2-9.). It will save you a great deal of time when drawing borders’ grids (See Figure 2-10.). Other templates (See Figure 2-11 and Figure 2-12.) that you may wish to add to your collection at a later date include a six-inch/metric plastic ruler that is flexible, a protractor for dividing circles into various sections, a radius template, a flexible marking guide, and a circle template (also ellipse template).
SAFETY
One very pleasant fact about chip carving is that it is a very safe carving style. Because of the way you hold the knife and because your hand rests on the wood, you should never cut yourself. Should you hold the knife improperly, however, then the possibility of “adding color to your work” becomes very real. We will talk more about this in the Chapter Four: How to Hold Chip Carving Knives.
You’ll also want to consider using a protective apron. Because we will be carving on our laps and not on a worktable, we’ll need to protect our laps. Why do we carve on our laps? There are a couple of reasons.
Figure 2-9. A border layout template.