The modern form of chip carving has its roots in Europe, particularly in Germany and Switzerland, where it's referred to as "Kerbschnitzen," meaning 'engraving carving.' The core of chip carving lies in its straightforwardness and adaptability.This decorative carving technique is easily graspable and applicable for enhancing various wooden tools, furniture, and household utensils.
What Does Chip Carving Involve?
Chip carving is an ornamental method of woodwork that entails cutting a pattern or design directly into the wood. The term "chip carving" originates from the method used, which involves meticulously removing uniform wooden chips to create an engraved design that is recessed compared to the wood's surface.In simpler terms, it entails extracting wood chips to reveal the intended design, in contrast to whittling, relief carving, and in-the-round wood carving, which utilize wood shavings to bring out the design from the wood.
Chip Carving Methods
Geometric Chip Carving
The most prevalent and commonly employed chip carving method is geometric chip carving, which incorporates geometric designs. Often, geometric chip carvings are found within or as part of a rosette.This technique involves making stab cuts directly into the wood at a consistent depth and entry angle. Other cutting methods include the plunge cut, which goes straight into the wood and is gradually withdrawn, and slicing cuts, which encompass both push and pull cuts. These slicing cuts are frequently employed to extract wood chips cleanly.
Artistic Chip Carving
Free-form chip carving is an advanced form of artistic expression within chip carving, typically explored after mastering geometric chip carving. This approach is particularly suited for creating flowing, curved lines found in floral patterns, although it also accommodates figures with less stringent layout precision.In free-form chip carving, the cutting depth evolves along with the shifting blade entry angle, which can vary between 45 to 65 degrees as the blade traverses from one end to the other, as demonstrated in the accompanying image.
Surface Chip Carving
Surface chip carving emerged as a response to the challenges posed by dense woods like elm and pea. In this technique, the chips barely penetrate the wood's surface, typically measuring just a millimeter in depth. When working with wood that doesn't lend itself to chip carving knives, surface chip carving offers an effective method for decoration. Furthermore, it's a quicker process due to the widely spaced, shallow chips.
Traditional Chip Carving
True to its name, traditional chip carving is a well-established technique with roots dating back to the late 1800s. It is characterized by the use of longer and larger chips, which occupy more space and require less labor. Compared to geometric chip carving, this method is typically faster, as it involves the removal of smaller chips.
Basswood
Among carving woods, whether for chip carving, relief work, or carving in the round, basswood stands as the supreme choice. While classified as a hardwood, basswood is exceptionally easy to carve and offers a satisfying experience. This wood, known by various names such as Lindenwood or Limewood in the United Kingdom and Lindenholz in German-speaking regions (with 'Holz' meaning wood), possesses a pale cream to yellowish-brown hue. Notably lightweight and characterized by a consistent, fine-grained structure, basswood combines strength with ease of carving, making it an ideal selection for both beginners and seasoned professionals in the realm of chip carving.
Alternative Wood Choices
In addition to Basswood, both Butternut and Eastern white pine prove excellent options for chip carving. These woods share characteristics of being lightweight, moderately soft, and easily carved. If you're interested in exploring further options, you can refer to our comprehensive article discussing the finest woods for chip carving.
Tools and Materials for Chip Carving
Chip Carving Knives
Chip carving knives feature a distinctive design that sets them apart from other wood carving blades. These knives feature a blade that extends from the handle and curves downward, providing enhanced control. For chip carving, you'll require two essential knives: a cutting knife to shape the wood chips and a stab or skew knife for creating desired impressions.If you're a novice just beginning your journey (or even a seasoned pro), consider exploring the FLEXCUT KN115 Chip Carving Set, which includes three distinct knife types to kickstart your chip carving endeavors.
Additional Supplies Required
In addition to the knives, the rest of the materials essential for chip carving encompass a pencil, eraser, T-square ruler, drafting or bow-type compass, and a sharpening implement. When selecting pencils, opt for either HB or B lead refills, as using a harder pencil like HD may result in cutting the wood instead of drawing on its surface. The T-square is ideal for your layout work; it should possess a straight edge and can be obtained with metric and imperial measurement systems.
How to Properly Hold a Chip Carving Knife
While it's true that a chip carver's skill is influenced by their tools, the manner in which they wield those tools is equally crucial. Holding your chip carving knives correctly can significantly enhance the ease, speed, and enjoyment of your carving process. Here, I've outlined two hand positions for holding the cutting knife and one for the stab knife.
Hand Position 1
The first hand position is tailored for adeptly using the larger cutting knife. Begin by grasping the knife like you would a kitchen knife, then invert your hand to observe the knife lying across your palm. This is the desired grip, but instead of engaging all your fingers, secure it with your last three fingers, allowing your index finger to rest on the knife rather than gripping it.Next, flex your thumb, noting the first joint and the crease formed when it bends. Examine the knife handle and place the joint of your thumb on the edge of the handle. Some chip carving knives feature a thumb notch on the handle, simplifying thumb placement.The angle formed between the knife and the surface should be approximately 65 degrees. A shallower angle will result in less depth, with less defined shadows, while exceeding 65 degrees may lead to overly deep chips and potential breakages along ridges. To see this technique in action, you can refer to a video tutorial by my chip carving.
Hand Position 2
Involves placing your hand on the wood, similar to position 1. Lift your hand to release the knife's grip, then rotate the knife to make the blade face the opposite direction. Position your thumb directly against the back of the knife's handle edge. By using this grip, you can consistently achieve 65-degree cuts in both position one and two.
Hand Position 3
involves using a stab or skew knife. Unlike the previous positions, this one doesn't remove wood; instead, it's pushed or inserted into the wood. The unique blade shape of a skew chip carving knife enables it to cut wood fibers and create a wedge-shaped impression. Hold the stub knife similarly to how you would hold it when stabbing something.Enhance your carving control by positioning your thumb at the handle's tip. The deeper you push and pivot a stabbing knife into the wood, the more substantial your mark will be. A stabbing knife is a quick and efficient tool that can improve the quality of your carving designs.
Preparing & Transferring Patterns
Before commencing the carving process, it's essential to lay out the fundamental lines of your design to ensure a visually balanced and proportionally accurate finished piece. Start by dividing the shape or object into quarters, allowing you to identify the center and establish a foundation for further divisions.For designs that are primarily geometric, you can draw most of it directly onto the wood using a ruler and compass, as demonstrated in the example above. Measure and mark the border lines in millimeters, quarter the carving, and gauge the pattern from the central lines to maintain consistent spacing.To transfer the pattern onto the wood, you can place graphite paper beneath tracing paper and trace the design. This technique is particularly useful for free-form designs, as it enables precise alignment of the pattern on the wood by allowing you to see through the paper.
Enjoy the Art of Chip Carving
Chip carving is easy to pick up but presents a rewarding challenge for those looking to excel. The tools employed are straightforward yet capable of crafting intricate designs and beauty. I encourage you to give chip carving a try, as it's among the most accessible forms of wood carving. Embrace the joy of chip carving!
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