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Start with sound, straight-grained stock for a small carving project. A beginner pattern should leave room to change direction and correct a cut. Start with straight-grained, iden…
Owen Mercer
Read the grain through the bowl and handle before carving. A spoon handle is narrow, so grain direction becomes part of the design. If the fibers run diagonally out through the ne…
Owen MercerPractice controlled cuts on a suitable blank before attempting detail. A shallow leaf relief gives you a place to practice stop cuts, slicing cuts and small V cuts without shaping…
Owen Mercer
Choose carving wood by how it cuts, not just its color. For a first carving, a clean, straight-grained blank matters more than a dramatic species. A small knot or patch of reversi…
Owen MercerUnfinished Wood is a collection of practical ideas for the workshop: choosing your materials, solving small problems, and bringing out the character in what you make.
Workshop notes on hand tools, joinery, jigs and the small habits that make a project easier.
Practical guides to choosing lumber, understanding grain and planning for wood movement.
Notes on sanding, test samples, color and finishes that let the character of the wood show through.