Chip Carving Resources

 This is an ever-evolving document meant to serve as a useful starting point for beginning chip carvers in need of suitable tools and materials.

Chip Carving Video Archive

Password: patreon2023

This is an archive of all the videos I have made for my Patreon subscribers. If you’re interested in becoming a Patreon subscriber, you can check out the kind of stuff I share here: Daniel on Patreon

About once a month I do a live meetup via Zoom, where I answer any questions you have and do a demo on various subjects and techniques. I also occasionally share patterns and photo tutorials.

I also have a YouTube channel: Daniel on YouTube


KNIVES

Pfeil #2

Klötzli #2

Klötzli #2 Pre-sharpened and polished (I do not always have these in stock, please check back if I’m sold out. As far as I know I am the only person in the US selling the pre-sharpened Klötzli knife.)


SHARPENING GEAR

Abrasive Sharpening Film I typically use 40, 15, 5 & 1 micron film

DMT Dia-sharp Stones — If you go this route you’ll want to get Coarse, Fine, Extra-Fine, and Extra-Extra-Fine

Strops — These are my synthetic strops. Just about any commercial strop will do just fine. You just need a flat surface with a tiny bit of give that will receive the strop compound of your choice. I ship my strops with a small bar of green strop compound.

Strop Compound — Green strop compound. This block will probably last you your entire life. No joke.

Flexcut Strop & Gold Compound combo — This is another good option


BASSWOOD

Heinecke Wood

Because I source my basswood from my local lumberyard in a rough state and mill it myself, I don’t have a lot of experience with buying carving wood online to be shipped to me. All that to say, caveat emptor.


PATTERN TRANSFER

Transfer Tool — This is my preferred transfer tool, the 25W Wall Lenk tool. They make another version that doesn’t get quite as hot but I like this one, though it does take some experience to know how hot to let it get. Also, BE CAREFUL BECAUSE IT CAN GET VERY HOT.


BOOKS

My book — You can also buy this directly from me in the Supplies section of my website when I have it in stock.

Books by Wayne Barton. These were all very helpful to me when I was learning. You can find these via most major retailers:

The Complete Guide To Chip Carving 

Chip Carving Patterns 

Chip Carving Techniques & Patterns

Karvsnitt by Jögge Sundqvist — A different approach to chip carving, using a different tool and technique.

Chip Carving by Tatiana Baldina — Yet another approach to chip carving using a skew knife.


SOCIAL MEDIA

This is a list of carvers and other artists on Instagram that are doing cool work and are worth checking out.

@frejlonnfors

@tatbalcarvings

@woodberncarvings

@luissalesa

@surolle

@sergiomontierodecastro

@jarrod__dahl

@marymaywoodcarving

@peterwaynegong

@shandywoodcarving

@zencarving