Tools of the Trade
Woodcarving Tools were the tools of my trade in my previous life. I recently made this still-life image of the Tools of My Trade. Long ago and far away, I was a professional wood sculptor, and these are a sampling of the classic carving tools I used daily. Many of the gouges were over a century old when I acquired them nearly forty years ago. I still have all of my tools, though I no longer carve. Just can’t seem to part with them.
A woodcarver’s classic tools are a testament to the timeless craft of shaping and sculpting wood. These essential instruments include chisels, gouges, and mallets. Chisels are used for precise cuts and fine detailing, while gouges come in various shapes and sizes to create intricate patterns and hollows. The mallet, often made of wood or rubber, provides the force necessary to guide the tools through the wood. These classic tools passed down through generations, enable woodcarvers to breathe life into their creations, transforming simple blocks of timber into works of art with enduring beauty.
