Manual of Traditional Wood Carving

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I own some 200 + books on Woodcarving, and am always seeking more worth adding,...but this little (?) book has GOT to be my # 1 Favorite !!!As a woodcarver of 40 years, and a teacher (for free, to the historical community) I cannot recommend this book high enough.I Just ordered/received a 2nd copy of it, because my first copy was so well-loved over the years, that it's starting to fall apart at the seams,.....(From all the xeroxes for my own files and projects and class hand-outs)If you love old-world/English woodcarvings, this one cannot be beat. It was first published in 1911 in the UK, so the contents in it are English examples,....that cover Gothic, Jacobean, Linenfold, Scandanavian, etc etc. The illustrations are all in black and white, but they fill the pages with that and clear line drawings,...and SCADS of patterns you can enlarge to start new projects.As a Medieval Re-inactor for the last 30 years, this book has been a Wonderful source of inspiration to both myself and my students,....I still have not carved a Fraction of the things from it that I long to get to,...but for my students,...they are as awed by it, as I have been,...The beginning of the book covers all the basics such as tools and sharpening and the uses of them. I tend to skip over all that, and go straight to the projects which are well-covered,.....but my students greatly benefit from those early chapters.There are patterns and instructions in it for assorted shelves, boxes, furniture (like spinner's chairs) Linen-fold panels, Gothic Tracery, Jacobean Strapwork, Coalboxes, thermometer frames, Coats of Arms (the carving of attractive displays of them) Furniture and architectural details,...the list goes on and on. The book is reasonably priced. Though it's a softback, the ONLY reason my first copy is getting loose is from 30+ years of loving,...like a cherished Teddy bear that's lost one eye and some of it's stuffing,....There is NO book in my 10,000 + private library, that has been so well loved and cherished,...

This book has been in print since 1911. That should tell you something. It's a thick book, about 1 inch with 568 pages. There aren't any color photos, but there's are many, many black and white photos and diagrams on nearly every page. Whenever I can't find the answer in any of my other carving books, I can always turn to this one. The quality of the projects are VERY high and very impressive. If you plan on hand carving furniture or mouldings, this is your go to book. It's THE authority on the subject. If you could complain about this book, it would be that there aren't pretty color photos, and some of the content is out of date. For example, the machine it suggests on page 65 is quite humorous, but was probably the only option in 1911. Today we would use a plunge router.

A little dated, but great resource for background and history of carving. Easy readf and many pictures and explanations.

An excellent book that's written from the point of view of people who used hand tools and had an idea of design. Much different than 20th century woodworking references where the author never had any training in classical design and considers sanded finishes (manufacturing, shortcutting, rounding over, amateurish), etc, to be the same as finish off of the tool (crisp, lively, very professional, etc).The discussion of design and impression that design leaves is just as valuable as the carving-related aspects.

The emphasis here is on the word traditional. The wood carving illustrated in this book is certainly that. The examples and styles presented in this book go back hundreds of years. All illustrations are black and white. The carving styles illustrated are sometimes quite complex. This is an idea book and I have enjoyed using it as a resource.

It was delivered to my son in Texas "I reside in NY). He said he was very happy with book. I am not able to attach photo.I can ask him to send me via email but I don't know if I can return to this page after I send it.William

good book.

Dover Publications seem to specialise in reprints of the best books from the past.This is the most detailed and wide ranging book on wood carving I have come across. It covers the best museum quality pieces and also gives designs for furniture for the home maker to build and carve.There are limitations. Due to the original publication date being 1911, obviously no subsequent styles are covered and the author concentrates excessively on the fashionable style of the time, late & highly stylised Art Noveau - which is not the best of styles to show high quality, interesting, carving.However, it is excelent on tools, tool holding and giving a wide range of knowledge on the subject. I do know that one photograph of a picture frame attributed Grinling Gibbons has subsequently been declared a fake, but otherwise the contents seem to be accurate and appropriate.

All is good

Interesting if you want to research woodworking about a century ago.

Great

This was for my brother, who is keen to become the next Grinling Gibbons. He is dipping into it when time allows, but says he finds it fascinating and informative.