[Woodcarver] Carving Clay?

[Bill Ewing]

This is my first post to this List, so bear with me. 
 
I have been wondering if it might be a good idea to have my students (Boy Scouts working on the Woodcarving Merit Badge) try to "carve" their object in clay before trying it in wood. The idea is that if you can't carve it in clay, your sure are not going to do it in wood. Of course, you wouldn't get the fine detail, but at this level, just getting something that is recognizable is an achievement. 
 
Does any one do modeling in clay before hitting the expensive and unforgiving wood? It wouldn't hurt the tools, would it?
 
. . . Bill in Santa Fe


      
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