New Book - more

I've finally read all of my carving tools book. It is very comprehensive and covers pretty much all you could want to know about the edge tools carvers use. There are sections on why the tools are shaped as  they are, the problems they can have if they aren't made correctly, and how to maintain them. I particularly liked the information on how to correct various faults which may be found in both new and second hand tools.

Be aware, this book covers edge tools only, there is no information on carver's vices, mallets, workbenches or similar.

The section on sharpening is biased towards the use of oilstones, in particular the Arkansas types. While there is coverage of alternatives such as waterstones, diamond stones and ceramic stones, the reader is left in no doubt that the author prefers oilstones. He does explain his preference, although with a decent translucent Arkansas stone costing in the region of £100 I think he could have given a little more space to a more affordable sharpening method.

New Book

My new copy of Chris Pye's Woodcarving Tools, Materials and Equipment has just arrived. I've only had a chance to skim it so far, but it looks very comprehensive. There is detailed information about the features of different tools, how to care for them, and plenty of ways to sharpen them. I am particularly intrigued by his description of making your own low speed grinder. More when I have read the book properly.