[Woodcarver] Request for help

[Ed Ertel]

Howard Suzuki wrote several books on Soap Carving, and a couple are specifically tailored for kids. He recommends the use of carving tools made from popsicle sticks, and gives instructions for how to make them.  Thursday evening at the carving group I'll speak to friend who I think still communicates with Howard.  The books are available on Amazon and other places.  The books cover a number of projects.
EdE


      From: "Rick Johnson, n1wgk" <n1wgk at comcast.net>
 To: woodcarver at carverscompanion.com 
 Sent: Tuesday, March 1, 2016 11:32 AM
 Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Request for help
   
 Thank you all for your suggestions. I have never done any carving with kids that young, so I wasn't sure what the protocols were. I did, however, have a pocket knife of my own at around that age, but that was quite a number of years ago now...so I wasn't sure.
 
 Anyway, I passed on all of your suggestions, including those given directly to me, and the mom understands. I think they will continue with soap for now and maybe try potatoes. I also suggested working with clay (like Sculpy), we shall see what they come up with for ideas.
 
 I followed up with a message to mom that if he's still interested at 10 or so, to reach out again and we can see what we can do for them.
 
 Rick "Papa Elf" Johnson
 
 
 On 3/1/2016 11:25 AM, jancarves3 at rogers.com wrote:
  
 
  I  do NOT take any kids under 10  Had a lot of home schooled kids over the years  10 and over as MOST kids do not have the strength to carve with a knife      From: Rick Johnson, n1wgk  Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2016 10:31 AM To: woodcarver at carverscompanion.com  Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Request for help      Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
 On 3/1/2016 10:12 AM, Coach Doug Evans wrote:
  
 Knowing Jan, do you have some handcrafted substitute tools for the little guys ?? Doug E On Mar 1, 2016 10:10 AM, <jancarves3 at rogers.com> wrote:
 
    In MHO  a six year old is too young  they’re attention span is too short and secondly but most important 6 year old should NOT use a knife   I have been teaching wood carving for 25 years (adults AND kids)and most kids under ten do not well with knives       From: Dennis F Bell  Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2016 9:47 AM To: [Woodcarver]  Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Request for help      I wouldn’t give a 6 year old a knife.  We have classes for anyone over 10 years old and find that some of them are not capable of using it properly.  Better to stick with the soap and sweet potatoes!       Dennis F Bell www.cedarstump.us       
 
     On Mar 1, 2016, at 7:31 AM, Rick Johnson, n1wgk <n1wgk at comcast.net> wrote:    All,
 
 I have reached out to you in the past for a couple young ladies and you guys really came through for me. (incidentally, they are both STILL carving off and on, so thank you!!!)  This time, I am trying to help out a 6 year old boy that wants to be a "whittler". I would like to get him a couple tools that he can learn woodcarving with. His name is Braydon.  He lives in California but I live in Connecticut, so I only have contact with him through his Mom.
 
 So far, I have given him a hand whittled name tag and a couple of soap carving "knives" I made from a dowel. I have an extra knife I could give him, but I am afraid that the blade  may be a bit too long for his first knife (it's about 1.25"). I am reaching out to you folks for help getting him set up with a basic "kit".
 
 He is 6, but his mom would be helping him (and learning at the same time).
 
 I am looking for (at least) the following:
 
Information on a woodcarving club and/or mentor in the El Sobrante, CA 94803 area (I  have no idea where in CA that is)
 A safety glove that might fit a small hand, maybe a woman sized safety glove?
 A strop for sharpening his knife (I can provide this if needed)
 A knife, preferably with a shorter blade than what I currently have, but I can provide if needed
 Any other ideas? Maybe a book on carving for kids?
 
 
 Once again, thank you all so much! I am trying to help encourage a young person to help keep our hobby alive for generations to come. Thank you!
 
 Rick "Papa Elf" Johnson
 
           
  
 
    
 

  
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