Chip Carver's Workbook. Dennis Moor

      Figure 2-11 and Figure 2-12. Other useful templates that you might want to add to your tools:

      1) a six-inch/metric plastic ruler, 2) a protractor, 3) a radius template, 4) a flexible marking guide, and 5) a circle template, or ellipse template.

       Chip Tip

       Removing unwanted pencil lines once your carving is finished can be easier if you prepare the wood first. See here in Chapter Fourteen: Finishing.

       Chip Tip

       Holding your knife properly will help prevent the unfortunate experience of “adding color to your work” (mainly red)!

      The first has to do with the position of our arms and how they bend at the elbow when we’re carving on our laps. You will soon discover that it is much easier to chip carve using your upper arm/body strength rather than your wrists. Not only is it easier, but you can also carve for longer periods of time without fatigue. Bending your arms at the elbow allows you to make use of your upper arm/body strength easily. If you place your work on a table or bench, you cannot use your upper arm/body strength as easily.

      Figure 2-14. Notice how the apron’s work surface is reinforced with a heavy synthetic pad, protecting my leg or clothes from any stray cuts.

      Figure 2-13. Because chip carvers often carve on their laps, they need to wear protective gear. Here, I am using a leg apron.

      Second is the fact that consistent angles and chips are best obtained by holding your knife and workpiece in the same position all the time. Because chip carving is a very portable form of carving, you simply carry your knife and piece of wood with you, and then you can carve anywhere. Using different tables or benches at different locations would present a problem because they are seldom the same height as your work station at home. Your lap, on the other hand, is something you always have with you.

      There are different devices you can use to protect yourself and your clothing while carving, such as a wooden tray or a leather apron. I use a leg apron (See Figure 2-13.) that was developed by the National Wood Carving School in Canada. It has a loop to hook onto your belt and three easy-snap straps to hold it in place. Because it bends at the knee, I can walk around or sit down while wearing it, and it isn’t as warm as a full apron. The work surface of the apron is reinforced by a heavy synthetic pad, which will prevent any stray cuts from damaging your leg or trousers (See Figure 2-14.).