what do you use to carve....

[shnen]

ok, keeping $$$ in mind, what do you use to carve your tools??? I heard a Boline, and if you can't afford a nice one then a kitchen knife, but can you carve with a kitchen knife??? sounds a tad tricky... any suggestions???

[Storm]

This may sound un-witchy but I use a seam ripper to carve my candles...is that what you are talking about. It is perfect for carving tidy letters in wax. I still use it for sewing purposes though. I don't worry about muddled energy because I carve before I bless the candle. When I bless the candle I focus on my carvings and energize the writing at that time. Works for me! :)

[Willow_Raindancer]

I use a toothpick for candles.
I use dental tools (I got them cheap at a flea market)
for anything wood.
I haven't carved anything stone.
:D

[FlamedLilly]

I'm sure that if you used a dremel tool before they were blessed for metal or stone that you'd have a good tool for more then just ritual tools as well, great for crafts and handy man projects. they range in price from 15.00 to hundreds. Good luck you can also find these for probably alot cheaper at flea markets and garage sales!

[Flaire-FireStar]

:o I use a nail for candles...... (Hey.....if it works! ;) )

[Arzhela]

What do you mean by carving tools?
For candles...pins and a rather strange athame-ish thing that I made out of a skewer.
Carved a pentacle using a Swiss army knife, though. I just can't imagine carving safely with anything other than a knife that is supposed to be able to do that kind of stuff.

[Pan]

I dunno how safe a bolline would be... considering traditonally they were sickle-shaped. That's what I've got and it's pretty difficult carving a candle with it without a little practise. I've done it, though, but find my athame works a bit better! ;)

I don't really carve stone... I use toothpicks for putting letters in clay when I make something, though. Speakin' o' which.. I have to start makin' my stuff to sell...

[Haedis]

I've gotten pretty good at doing it with saftey pins. I run the pin through the wax about 5 mm deep and at an angle, then I switch sides. The wax comes off in one piece so I end up with a V shaped groove that comes out smooth and neat. The fact that they arent ceremonial tools hasnt seemed to effect my spells at all.

[shnen]

great ideas!

I was more wondering along the lines of carving wood tho... like my wand, a staff, runes, etc.

[Silverfern]

I got a really nice dremel for my birthday this year wich works really well, I also use a hunting knife that I bought specially for carving and that works really well for me.

[materra]

Well...try a "buck" knife...they are a slightly larger pocket knife with two blades. One larger and one smaller. You need to learn to sharpen the blades and you will need sharpening stone. The funny thing about them is you can come across them used and new that are affordable. Check out estate sales, thrift stores etc. or hardware stores with hunting supplies.

You know all those old time wood carvings you see in museums and hear about in movies? Buck knives carved alot of them. Really. It is a great knife to own and use for all sorts of things. They are typically small and legal pocket knifes. Where I grew up the oldtimers used to carve ducks, dolls, whistles and such with them. In fact they also used to carve wood chains out of one branch. It was a real test of skill to do that. The longer the length of chain the better they were as carvers.

It you want really fine detail, check at an artist supply shop. See how much a small wood carving set would be. They are used to carve wood print blocks. I bet they would have a small set you could buy that is affordable. They have v-tips and different sized u-tips to carve out letters and shapes etc.

I don't typically suggest kitchen knives. However, if you get a good steel blade that sharpens well and holds an edge, you could use a paring knife in two sizes. A bigger one for rough shaping and a smaller one for detail work. My former Mother in law had bunch of old used knives with good steel ground to shape, and with sharp edges to use for her carvings.

Now for the important stuff SAFETY: regardless of tools used when you carve wood....always carve with the blade facing away from you. You always push with the blade away from your body. If you are carving detail, and need pressure on the point don't extend a finger out to add the pressure, You can end up with a piece of wood run up under your finger nail. (And yeah, I learned the hard way, still have the scar.) Always, always, always use a sharp knive or tool, let the edge do the work not the pressure. If it isn't sharp you will get hurt more easily. I would suggest soft woods too. No hard woods until you are more expert, or get a full dremel kit. Slow and careful work is better than fast and injured. Be safe. Hope you get a beautiful staff. BB

[flar7]

all of these are dangerous, but here is what I use. anything sharp. (seriously)

a dremel is nice, but can burn the wood.(caution must be used to avoid that, plus it can also cause patterning on the wood.)

a nail. various sizes of nails.

various knives, the stronger the steel the better. kitchen
knives are usually two thin, but if you got some strong enough then go for it.

some sort of metal gouge.

actual wood carving tools.

a rasp. several files.

odd shaped metal intrumens with indentions on the points that
have the shape of a V or an (

a leather punch if used carfully makes nice impressions.

an old fasioned nail set.( a device used for driving in trim nails) is
made of metal shaped kinda like a small ink pin with a little longer point.

thats all I can think of right now! Happy carving!

oops, almost forgot.......various saws.:D

[DragonDawn]

Originally posted by materra
Check out estate sales, thrift stores etc. or hardware stores with hunting supplies.


I like going to gun and knife shows. they have nice selections, with decent prices sometimes.

Right now I use whatever i can get my happy little hands on :D