Hi Joe, I'm teaching a Kids' Class next weekend and we'll be using this video to teach the owl - you've done such a great job on this - kids will be ages 10-14 - wish you were here to teach the class - thanks so much! Linda Curtis

Mister Splinters, Thanks for posting such a great video. Its very informative and shows something basic for begginers to carve. I went this weekend and bought some bass wood and some cheap knives. I carved this owl in about 3 hours. I know it took a while, but it is the first thing i've ever carved. It looks real good, but now I KNOW I need to invest in a better knife or two. I really enjoyed carving and can't wait to try some other things. Thank you again for this video!

Great video! I just started wood carving and this was the first project i did and it turned out so much better than i expected. Keep the videos coming!

Many thanks for this Mister Splinters, just about to start woodcarving and will make this my first project. Greetings from England, Subscribed!

@MisterSplinters

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Hugo, welcome to the awesome world of woodcarving! Thank you for the nice comment and feel free to email me any carving questions that you may have. Greetings from New York City, USA.

very cool! I started carving at 12 and haven't stopped-its an awesome - relaxing hobby!

Thanks so much for this excellent video. I'm new to carving andI just finished my second owl (I messed my first one up a little bit). I used an alternate method for the eyes that worked quite well. I took a #8 1/4" gouge and stabbed straight down into the wood and then carved up to it about 1/16-1-8" from beneath to give it a sort of sleepy eyes look. I also used a #11 gouge for the feathers instead of the v-tool and that worked quite nicely.

Hi Nathan - thanks for the nice comment and the alternate method. I carved over 60 basic owls. When I look back at my video I see that I too changed the methods. Its keeps carving these little guys fun ! Safe carving and thanks again Joe

Hey...a really nice tutorial Mister Splinters. I look forward to your next lesson. Kudos on such an informative how-to!!

Just made a couple of these as my first woodcaving project ever. Great instructions, I even made a few wee changes to make it "my own". Sculpted the head in a little at the top to make the ears more prominent. I maybe make a quick video of my next one so you can see. Thanks for the instruction!

@MisterSplinters

10 жыл бұрын

Hi Andrew - thanks for the comment that you left for me 2 months ago ! Im so sorry it took so long to reply. I didn't realize my emails were being routed to my gmail acct (which I never check-but will now) I'm glad you liked my video and I would love to see your version. My email address is splinters85@hotmail.com or cocobolo85@gmail.com Thanks and safe carving! almost forgot - currently working on a new video - how to wood carve a hound dog from scratch. hope to release by 2014 .

Thanks for the video! Was asked by local library to give a talk on woodcarving - showing different styles and tools required. After the talk they want me to do a demo carving - so I began looking for a simply project! I think I will do your owl - so cute - not too much detail and should be able to complete before I put them to sleep! LOL Thanks again!

@MisterSplinters

10 жыл бұрын

Hi Bob - thanks for the comment - Good luck on the talk and demo. If you have any questions feel free to email me. Safe carving - Joe

this was awesome. Thanks. You are a good teacher.

thanks for posting!! think i found a new hobby to take on!!

Hi ralphbm, thanks for the nice email. Dont worry how long it takes to complete a carving. I have many unfinished carvings that are sitting in a box. When I start carving a piece and I get stuck on a step or I dont like how it looks, I place it in a box and go back to it days later or even years later. I have a teddy bear that I started carving in 1989 and I finished it in 2005! Just make make your tools are sharp, you wear a carving glove/glasses and you practice. Safe Carving-Joe

Hey did this proyect at it was great...you explanation is very clear and easy to follow...it was my first carving and I'm happy with it!!!!!

@MisterSplinters

7 жыл бұрын

Hi sorry it took so long to reply to your comment. I wasn't notified that you posted it. So happy that my video helped and welcome to woodcarving ! Feel free to shoot me any wood carving questions that you have. Cheers Joe

This is a pretty neat owl. Thank you for the tutorial.

@MisterSplinters

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks mike, in wood carving illustrated magazine summer 2012issue I wrote a how to article on carving a more advanced owl. Fox chapel publishing or amazon should have the issue. Cheers, Joe

Awesome to hear-thanks for the comment! I have another (more detailed) version in wood carving illustrated magazine summer 2012 issue. The how to article is 5 pages and it walks you through all the steps. Safe carving - joe

Thanks for the nice comment - its a great hobby !! when I have some extra time I will be releasing a snowman ornament video. safe carving - joe

Hey Mr S. Great WORK

Thanks for the + feedback. A raven would be a fun project to do, I will keep it on my list and hopefully can do in the future. In a couple months my friend and I should have a Holiday snowman ornament carving tutorial posted. Hope you get a chance to view. Safe Carving and thanks for watching- Joe

Very cool! Thanks for the inspiration

thank you so SO much ive made 3 already and my mom loves it thanks you

Awesome job!! I'm a noob carver, I just started!

Alanpaoletti, Thanks for the laughs ! Also thanks for taking the time to watch the videos and for the comment ! Hope you get a chance to try carving one. Joe

Thanks ShayTheFlyingDolphin for the positive comment ! Hopefully soon my friend and I will finish our second you tube video - How to wood carve a ball in a box. Keep Carving! Joe

thanks for the comment - hope to have another video soon - just cant find the time to finish making it ! safe carving Joe

Excellent !

Thanks for the nice comment ! Have fun carving !

thanks a lot! this video is really helpful!

Hi thanks for the question - I don't know the original designer of this owl. Its a design that developed over the years and passed on from generation to generation. Linda Curtis showed me how to carve it back in 2008. She was taught from a wood carver in Ohio. T

most carving shops sell a carving safety tape that's used to protect your fingers. Its around $4- per 15' roll. If you use the tape, definitely bandage your thumb and all of the tips of your fingers. Don't wrap the tape too tight that it feels uncomfortable. Also you can check a fishing supply store for a knife resistant glove. That's where my friend bought me mine over 20 years ago. Its the only one I use. Hope this helps.

Just starting out here and I was wondering what would be the best wood to carve pipes with designs in them?

Hi - so sorry for the delayed response - Hurricane Sandy got in the way! I would recommend that you use basswood. Its a great wood to carve and it accepts paint really well. You can purchase at any hobby/arts crafts store. Safe carving - joe

I use two oil stones medium grit and fine grit. Then I use a leather strop with compound to polish/hone the bade. Richard Butz wrote a book called How to carve wood. I use the method that he explains. I really want to make a video how to sharpen a knife but haven't made the time. I think if you buy a Richard Butz knife from woodcraft, they will include instructions on sharpening the knife. Safe carving and happy holidays - Joe

Thanks-for the comment - Not sure if your telling me that the eyes that I carved are messed up or you messed up the eyes on your carving. I didn't put any detail in carving the owl eyes because this project was designed for a beginner and its really a whittling project-something to sit back in a chair and have fun carving or whittling. Thanks and safe carving ! Joe

Hi thanks for the email - When I made this video I didn't realize that it will be international. I thought maybe I will receive 100 views. When I find the time I will try to add the mm on the screen. My latest video (how to carve a snowman) I show inches as well as mm. Sorry for the inconvenience! safe carving - Joe

Thanks for the info ! Safe carving - Joe :-)

Great video! Helped me a lot with my first carving! What do you use to sharpen your knives?

This is rlly cool!

@MisterSplinters

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it! Feel free to email me any carving questions. Joe

Hi again - thank you for the nice emails ! They really made me smile! I made these videos to help inspire and pass my knowledge on. im so happy that they got you hooked on a new hobby! I will do my best to get more video released - unfort. hurricane sandy is my latest obstacle. Safe carving !

@ronferraro5702

6 жыл бұрын

MisterSplinters Hello. Is there any way you can send or email me the pages you did in the summer issue 2012 magazine the sleeping owl? I really want to learn to carve this beautiful piece. I did register on your website. Ron Ferraro.

this is really helpful :D

Mainly on line. HELVIE Knives (I show in the beginning of video -handles are made with many pieces of thin colorful wood and are razor sharp!) The knife and gouges that I use in the owl video was from WOODCRAFT the knife is called the Richard Butz carving knife (cost around 20- and I think 5- to sharpen for you). The gouges are PFEIL SWISS MADE brand (they come razor sharp) I also buy Mike Shipley knives at the woodcraft shop in OHIO. They too come razor sharp! - Safe carving - Joe

Hi My name is Dick Shryock and I'm an intermediate carver. I volunteer at a local Arts and Technology H.S. And teach beginners carving. I was looking for some simple basic projects that I can use this year and am planning to use this owl as my first project. Thanks for the excellent video, with it's step by step instructions. I'll let you know how it works in my class.

@MisterSplinters

5 жыл бұрын

So sorry for the late reply. I didn’t get an alert that you sent me this message. That’s so cool that you are going to teach this in your class. I hope it went well!

@tiberiok Thank you for watching. Is this Tiberio from LIWT Club in Long Island?

Hi - I use basswood I believe its also called Lime wood and Linden wood outside of the USA) Online woodcarving supply stores sell it and its reasonably inexpensive. For about $2- you can purchase a 1"X1"X12" piece. Also arts and craft stores should carry it. If you order on line, make sure you tell them you need it to be exactly 1" X 1" sometimes they will send out pieces slightly smaller. You can check out woodcraft on line or the woodcraft shop in Ohio. Hope this helps - safe carving joe

Awesome - hanks for the comment! Safe carving - joe

what is the best wood for a begginer?

nice video! cool owl by the way too! plz make more videos and maybe i will subscribe!

@thebearjewkiller1976 Hi - Thanks for taking the time to watch and for the nice email. I will try to post more in the near future.

Cool - thanks for the nice comment ! Safe carving - Joe

I don't have a protective glove, and the craft shop and diy shop don't sell them. I can't find any ones with decent review on them either. Could anything else be used instead of the glove?

Just a small question: what kind of gloves are these?

@MisterSplinters

6 жыл бұрын

Hi, i use one cut resistant glove. You can purchase the glove from online wood carving companies like woodcarvingsupply in Florida.or Sugarpine woodcarving. They cost around 25- . Just need one glove and you wear it on the hand that is holding the project. These gloves are not stab proof. They will only stop a knife blade from cutting the skin not the point of the knife stabbing the hand. Thanks, Joe

Yes, congrats

What wood is this? I aint got much money but i managed to buy a decent knife, all the wood i pick up in parks is too grainy for me to work with never mind get any practise on. I've tried using pine but its really splinter'y.

hi!! i love this video but i asked my dad what basswood was and he had no idea... could you tell me what it is and where to find it :)

I have a question could I do this with just a pocket knife also could I a hand carved chess set

@MisterSplinters

8 жыл бұрын

Hi, yes you can use s pocket knife but most pocket knife blades were not shaped for carving. I would strongly. Recommend to regrind the blades bevel to be around 10 degrees and make sure it's sharp by trying to slice through a piece of paper (like I do in the video) . I believe tom hindes wrote a book or two on pocket knife carving and discusses how to shape the blade on a pocket knife. Hope this helps! Safe carving Joe

@MisterSplinters

8 жыл бұрын

Also wood carving illustrated magazine has an article on carving a chess set. Just don't remember the issue. If you goto woodcarving illustrated website you can probably find it by doing a magazine search or call fox chapel publishing and ask customer support for the information.

@johnphillips2405

8 жыл бұрын

+MisterSplinters thank u I'll give it a try

Cool Thanks for the comment sorry to took sooo long to reply - I get ALOT of emails :-) - Safe carving !

will balsa wood work? i have a couple of blocks laying around

@MisterSplinters

9 жыл бұрын

Janette0220 Hi sorry for the delayed reply - I didn't see your question until now. Yes balsa will work but it doesn't carve and hold detail as well as basswood. If you live in the US, you can get basswood in pretty much any arts and craft store and online at any wood carving supply site. If you live outside the US then basswood is called lime wood or linden wood. Safe carving - Joe

@Janette0220

9 жыл бұрын

thanks for the reply Joe, i just saw your reply so no worries. im in australia, just happen to have a few blocks of balsa laying around, so i might have a go with those and see where i could find basswood. im sure i can find it somewhere online or in hardware shops.

Cool - welcome to woodcarving ! if you have any questions, feel free to email me safe carving joe

nice job :D u have inspired me to get back into carving *is not attempting to carve an owl :D* ps - would u be so kind (whenever u have some free time or feel like it) to make a video like this, but on carving a raven? :D thanks if u can, if not i understand :D

cool :)

Love your work very informative! But now I can't stop hearing "on a 45 degree angle" in my head. :)

Hi - Thanks for the email, Basswood is the ideal wood to carve because its very easy to carve with sharp tools, holds detail very well, easy to paint and reasonably priced. You can purchase in any (or online) hobby, arts and craft or woodcarving stores. what state are you in? Hope this info helps and feel free to email me with any more carving questions that you may have. Safe carving-joe

Thank goodness you were wearing safety goggles.

@MisterSplinters

4 жыл бұрын

LOL

Good thanks very descriptive

@MisterSplinters

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the nice comment !

Where do you get your knives?? Oh how I'd benefit immensely from a set like that in between my dremeling and carving! In No Dak you can't find decent knives...especially gouges!

I saw a cut resistant glove on Amazon, which is only $15.00, and it got 41/2 stars on the reviews. Search for Harold Imports Intruder Mesh Cutting Glove. I've never used one myself, but whatever you choose...to quote MisterSplinters: "SAFE CARVING"

do you think it is easier to carve basswood than pine? I live in Australia and basswood is very hard to come by so I use pine. But every video I watch basswood always seems to yield to the gouges better than in pine....even though my knife and chisels are razor sharp

@MisterSplinters

8 жыл бұрын

Hi, you can also use pine wood but pine woods grain is wider and doesn't hold the detail as well as basswood, do they have hobby shops or art stores in your area? Maybe they will carry basswood which is also called lime and linden wood. Also online wood stores carry basswood but I'm not sure if the shipping rates are expensive. You can try www.woodcraft.com thanks hope this helps . Safe carving Joe

@AwesomeAndrew

8 жыл бұрын

+MisterSplinters thanks for the reply. I have tried the art and hobby shops...all they have is balsa wood which is too delicate and also super expensive here. So I will stick with pine as its abundant. Another question, is it easier to whittle/carve kiln dried wood or green wood? Thanks

@MisterSplinters

8 жыл бұрын

Hi-this email might be a duplicate because I got an error while typing the first email. I prefer to carve with air or kiln dried wood because carving green wood still needs to dry so while green wood is easy to carve it will most likely twist, warp,or even develop cracks In Your finished carving. Just curious, does your local book stores carry a carving magazine called wood carving illustrated? It's a great magazine. I'm currently writing my fourth article for the mag. It's how to carve a locomotive train inside a cage. Neat project! Safe carving - joe

@AwesomeAndrew

8 жыл бұрын

+MisterSplinters Hi Joe, thanks again for the reply. I'm not sure if I have seen that magazine before here in Australia, but the name sounds familiar...I think I may have seen it mentioned on the internet somewhere. Thanks too for your advice about the wood..its good to know what happens to green wood so I will avoid it....unless I am just making something to put in the garden for fun...then it won't matter so much about cracking, shrinking twisting etc. I am really enjoying this new hobby.The few things I made so far are pretty naive looking, but I think the process of just making them is what I enjoy more than what they look like. I'm sure over time though I will start making some impressive looking pieces though. I have already thought about whittling some legs for a wooden garden box....the legs will be like the wood spirits many people seem to do. Thanks again for your advice.

@MisterSplinters

8 жыл бұрын

Hi - you have the right attitude. The more you practice at carving the better your pieces will look. you can even practice wood carving with a bar of soap and a butter knife. This will help you improve carving in the round pieces (like faces, or animals) fox chapel publishing is the company that owns the wood carving illustrated magazine. I know it's international just not sure if they sell near you. Worst case you can buy back issues from them or I think Amazon.com it's a great magazine that would help all skill levels. Have fun and feel free to email me. Joe

What glove is that?

@MisterSplinters

4 жыл бұрын

Hi, sorry for the delay. I’m wearing a cut resistant (not puncture proof) woodcarving glove that you can purchase from amazon or any woodcarving supply stores. But there’s so many qualities on the market so try to read the reviews before purchasing. The one I use was purchased from woodcarverssupply.com happy holidays!

hi Mr Splinters! I am watching you from Italy. I like your way of teaching. Thank you for the lessons. Too bad you are using inches and not millimiters or centimeters... it would be much more clear to me. Ciao!

looks like hardwood, nice to carve, cheaper than mahogany.

Nice owl but messed up eyes

basswood, not hardwood

You sound like George Clooney lol

@MisterSplinters

9 жыл бұрын

LOL Thanks - Im sure my wife wishes I looked more like him !

INDIAN DESIGN ?

its like watching bob ross.

@MisterSplinters

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks - always a fan of Bob Ross !

@lraffucci

10 жыл бұрын

MisterSplinters I was able to sit down and try to follow your video. measuring with a ruler took a long time,the carving took about 2 hours with interruptions. first timer.

@MisterSplinters

10 жыл бұрын

zero Hi Zero - Thanks for the post. If you use a combination ruler instead of a standard ruler it will save some time applying the measurements. Take your time and be safe ! Feel free to email me any carving questions.

ta

thats a bird not a owl :S

or anyone really

Thanks for the nice comment! Have fun carving!