Back in August I started getting an itch to try something new. Something really new, something completely unrelated to computers (which have been my passion for almost 20 years now). Somehow (I don’t recall the details) I stumbled across whittling and woodcarving, and I’ve discovered that I really enjoy it.
I started by picking up a book or two on whittling from the library, and learned the basics of carving “whimseys” (interesting projects without a practical application, like chains or a ball-in-cage). I’ve since carved a few of them, and several decorative spoons, but I’m still exploring the domain. It’s almost like learning to read, or to program computers, where an entire world appears that you never knew existed. There’s so much to discover!
After quite a bit of research, I purchased my first big power tool, a bandsaw (a Grizzly G0555), and I’ve been very pleased with it. My first Welsh love spoon (here) was done without a bandsaw, and although I learned a lot from the process, I also learned that I’d rather focus on carving the piece, than outlining it.
Aside from the bandsaw and a simple electric drill, my tools are all hand tools. I use a Flexcut detail knife (which I absolutely love) for most of the work, and resort to some inexpensive chisels and gouges (that I picked up at Michael’s) for things like carving the bowl of a spoon, or feathers. (Eventually, I’d like to pick up a beginner’s set of real chisels and gouges, so that I can experiment with relief carving.) Also, I picked up a woodcarver’s saftey glove shortly after carving a big slice of my hand on accident.
So far, I’ve only carved basswood (a very cooperative hardwood, perfect for novice woodcarvers), but I’m starting to eye some of the harder woods, like cherry, walnut, and oak. I’ve also started learning about wood toxicity (scary!) so I’m being very picky in the woods I’ll carve!
Ultimately, there is something extremely satisfying in taking a plain block of wood and shaping it with your hands into something remarkable. The entire process is incredibly therapeutic and meditative. As I carve, or sand, I find myself pondering parallels between woodcarving and just about everything else. It’s a great time to slow down and reflect, something that I haven’t been very good at in general.
For the curious, I’ve got my current gallery available as a public Backpack page: Woodcarving by Jamis Buck. I’ve also got a YouTube video of me carving a small spoon, in fast-forward: Carving a decorative spoon. Just keep in mind that I’m still new to this art, and be gentle!
brad
on 03 Jan 08Woodcarving is great! It was a passion of mine in my teens, and I made pocket money by doing woodcarvings (mostly of birds and sea mammals) and selling them at a local arts and crafts store. I’d like to get back into it someday.
Basswood is well suited for carving, as is butternut, although as woods go they are kind of boring to look at. Black walnut is probably my favorite in terms of both looks and suitability for carving, though it’s expensive and hard on tools; Honduras mahogany carves nicely and is lovely but has large porous grain that makes it unsuitable for really small carvings. Red cedar is another one I loved to work with because of the wonderful smell, but it’s full of knots.
Just be careful…I have scars on my hands from several slips of the gouge and chisels 30 years ago. Dunno if this still exists but when I was carving there was a National Woodcarver’s Association that put out a monthly magazine called Chip Chats. I got a lot of good ideas from it.
Jamis
on 03 Jan 08@brad, I’ve read about Butternut, but it’s an endangered species these days, and although you can find it in shops around, I don’t quite feel right carving on an endangered species. :) I’ve looked at Chip Chats, too, and have subscribed to Woodcarving Illustrated, which has been a fun resource.
Brad from WI
on 03 Jan 08Wait until you have enough experience to start carving wooden chains! I do more cabinetry than carving, but Woodworking can be a very nice hobby outside of computers!
Have fun!
Jeff Greco
on 03 Jan 08I went through a similar process recently – since my old hobby (web design) had become my job, I needed a new hobby. I picked up an old acoustic guitar lying around and started learning, and it’s been a terrific, non-computer experience so far.
chad
on 03 Jan 0837signals is always good about staggering blog posts giving time for consumption before posting another article.
I wonder if the security concerns addressed in the prior blog post, is the cause for this quick follow-up blog article.
Barry Hess
on 03 Jan 08I also picked up an acoustic guitar in December and am ready and willing to learn. Any starter book or training video recommendations would be great! Other advice would be good, too. For instance, do I start learning chords or individual notes?
Jamis, that looks pretty good for a novice. Nice work.
ML
on 03 Jan 08Chad, you’re quite the conspiracy theorist! It’s just a mere coincidence that this post followed soon after the previous one. We’re happy to address any security concerns you might have. Feel free to email support [at] 37signals.com with any questions.
Jake
on 03 Jan 08This was a great, beautiful post. At a time where lots of the posts here are 37s product- or process-centric (which is fine), this kind of mind-expanding randomness reminded me of the old days of SvN.
Perhaps a series of posts on peoples’ interests outside computers would be worthwhile!
Jim Priest
on 03 Jan 08For the holidays I carved a sign for my wife’s porch (I cheated and used a Dremil) and it was great fun. I had a lovely chunk of really old long leaf pine and I finished it with Tung oil and man the colors popped.
I also made some candles with the kids this holiday and think we’re going to do that again – cheap and lots of fun.
Alejandro Moreno
on 03 Jan 08That is awesome. If I ever get tired of singing in choirs, woodcarving looks like an excellent hobby to pick up.
Thanks for the post, Jamis.
GeeIWonder
on 03 Jan 08Very cool.
NatalieMac
on 03 Jan 08I find that the more work I do on a computer, the more I love to actually make something I can hold in my hands. There’s something satisfying in having a physical object to show for your troubles.
Geoff B
on 03 Jan 08What a good idea. I’ve read that finding new challenges is an important part of staying mentally agile and creative. In software development, many of us have to specialize, but hobbies are a good way to keep it fresh.
It’s particularly helpful, I think, to choose something completely new. For instance, I’ve been learning to play the guitar, but I already played the violin, and a bit of piano, for years. It’s a challenge, to be sure, and it’s given me a new perspective on music, but I don’t think it has truly forced me to think differently the way something out of my comfort zone would.
I’ve been thinking of taking up visual art (drawing, painting, maybe sculpture), because I’m, well, really bad at it, and I have barely even tried so far in life to get good at it. This is the sort of thing that would require a major mental transition, probably more of a 10 year plan…
James
on 03 Jan 08I’ve always wanted to try my hand at woodcarving; this post has reminded me to actually consider doing something about it! Thanks Jamis :)
John
on 03 Jan 08Those are excellent Jamis. I use to whittle and woodcarve a lot. It is a total departure from all things web. Not sure if you have checked out http://www.whittling.com, if not, you should check out they have fun little projects you can do in a few hours, but they are really challenging towards the detail side.
Maybe I need to pick up my knives again.
Nate Berkopec
on 03 Jan 08Nice! Nice call using mail gloves…in Boy Scouts we called it “Fingercarving” Merit Badge. I’ve got the scars to prove it!
brad
on 03 Jan 08speaking of chain mail (the gloves), that’s another interesting hobby. A friend of mine made a chain-mail hacky-sack, which was quite a feat (it took many hours) and was by far the coolest hacky-sack I’ve ever seen.
Britt
on 03 Jan 08This is a great example that I hope more computer workers follow. Find a hobby that is not computer related. I know too many geeks who, after a day of working at the computer, go home to a hobby that also involves sitting in front of the computer. It’s not a healthy balance.
Geoff
on 03 Jan 08Congratulations on your proficiency in such an interesting art form. My grandfather was a master whittler. He was always carrying around a couple different pocket knives.
Seems kind of like the masculine version of knitting. I have contemplating getting into beekeeping, but this sees like a much less gear-intensive eccentricity to cultivate.
Matthew
on 03 Jan 08Outside of my work on the computer, I really enjoy writing Western and Chinese calligraphy. It’s nice to get away from the computer screen and do something else.
I was also curious about the music used for the YouTube clip. What was the name of the group?
John Lein
on 03 Jan 08Re: Barry Hess I also have picked up the guitar a few weeks ago and am loving it. I have a few books and DVDs but justinguitar.com is the best so far (start with the Beginner’s Section)! I’ve trying playing multiple times over the years only to quit in a few days, but this website gave me the tools to enjoy learning and I’ve been playing every day for the last few weeks.
I spend too much time on the computer myself, and I agree non-computer hobbies are very valuable. Thanks for the interesting post Jamis, I did a small bit of whittling years ago and your stuff looks great – didn’t realize how much really goes into it.
Brandan Lennox
on 04 Jan 08@Britt: Seconded.
I spent this summer and fall training for a marathon and a 100-mile bike, playing rec volleyball and ultimate frisbee, camping, just being outside any time I wasn’t at work.
But once the days got shorter and colder, I took up freelancing. Now I come home in the evenings and might spend an additional 3-4 hours on a computer after working 8 or so at my day job. My appetite has diminished (or at least shifted towards junk food :-), my head hurts, and I don’t sleep as well as I used to. I can’t imagine working 11 or 12 hour days as a career.
Thanks for the post, Jamis! I’m sure you’ve motivated a few people to find a new hobby.
Joy
on 04 Jan 08That is awesome on so many levels. The video is so well done and I loved watching it.
I find myself look for hobbies that are completely different from what I do for work, and like you said it has a therapeutic effect. When I get stumped on a project, I just turn to other things to slow me down for a while and after having some “me” time with let’s say cooking, or beading, or making papercrafts just because, I have more mental stamina and clarity to solve problems.
Thanks for sharing this!
Chris
on 04 Jan 08A few years ago I got into woodworking to make furniture. I am constantly hearing about fellow programmers who enjoy woodworking of some kind. There also seems to be a large cross-section of musicians in the developer world too.
I wonder if there is some kind of mental branching or maybe (physical?) balancing that occurs. I’d be interested to see a survey of non-computer/tech related hobbies of developers as well as their their primary work duties (i.e. dba, agile dev, lunix admin, etc).
But yeah, gloves! and in my case goggles too!
Barry Hess
on 05 Jan 08@John Lein: Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll check it out.
Jim MacLachlan
on 07 Jan 08I used to be a carpenter (remodeler) with a hobby of computers. My arm went bad about 15 years ago, making it impossible for me to continue in that field, so I turned computers into my livelihood & woodworking became my hobby. I agree with all the above comments about having a hobby that is different from your job.
I really enjoyed reading about your carving experience. I do a little, as well as some wood burning. Sycamore can also be a good wood to carve – another soft hardwood – although it can have some long grain & splinter out. It was one of the woods the colonists used for utensils & bowls.
I started playing with a lathe & now turn lots of bowls. I like finding wood – trees cut down in people’s yards, blown down in storms or cut up by the utility companies – & turning this ‘junk wood’ into decorative & useful items. Very rewarding & completely different than riding herd on a computer network all day. I can go home &, in a couple of hours, make something real and pretty.
I found that I didn’t know what a lot of the wood I was working on was, though. I joined the IWCS, International Wood Collectors Society http://woodcollectors.org/ & started learning more about trees & the type of wood they had. Most books either tell you about the trees or the wood, rarely do they discuss both. The IWCS has a couple of books that do both for a lot of species. Check it out.
Good luck!
Jim
Kevin
on 07 Jan 08In September, my wife and I were in Wales and I happened to notice the carved Welsh “love spoons” one day. I thought they looked pretty cool and simple. My wife challenged me to make one for her. So I am. It’s a blast. Happy carving .. sorry to hear about the hand. Keep that carving glove close.
Cheers.
Kevin
Saimon Moore
on 08 Jan 08Hi Jamis,
Heh, I’ve been a long time wood carver myself. It would have been great to have chatted in person about it…
Hope the kids are all fine…
Sofia is getting a bit restless, so I don’t think she’ll wait much longer to pay us a visit.
Regards,
Saimon
Micah Goulart
on 08 Jan 08Thought you might find this deal on whittling tools a good buy: http://dealnews.com/Grip-33-Piece-Deluxe-Hobby-Knife-Kit-for-18-shipped/207094.html
Rick
on 10 Jan 08Simply amazing!
The funny thing is that I work in computers and have been considering trying my hand at whittling for about a year now. After seeing you work I am officially inspired to get started!!
Do you have any tips for beginners? Also, can you make a recommendation as far as books go?
Keep up the great work!
This discussion is closed.