My favorite implement for carving text (or other very fine detail) is a
Testor's hobby knife. It is similar to an xacto knife, but the blade is
thinner and more flexible. I hold the blade at a slight angle, careful
not to undercut the text I'm cutting around and then do the same in the
other direction, creating a v shaped channel all around the text. After
the outline is established, it's easy to go back with a gouge and clean
up.

I hope this helps a little. I've gotten to the point where I actually
enjoy carving text!

Webfoot


On Wed, 6 Aug 2003, Lynda wrote:

> Does anyone know of anything easy to carve words with? My partner is
> looking for something that she can hold like a pencil to pull towards
> her instead of pushing away. Did that make sense? LOL
> Any tips on making word carving easier would be appreciated.
> Thanks,
> NeverEnuff
> P1F15X0HH0V3

Speedball makes "safety" cutters called "Lino-Zips" which are
exactly what you want. The boxed set (#37) has a handle, a #6 knife
(NOT a safety tool!), fine and medium V-shaped nibs, and wide and
large (beats me, but that's what the box says) U- shaped cutters.
Using these is just like writing with a pencil, but with no up-
strokes.
Now if I could only find replacement nibs alone, not part of the
set, I'd be very happy myself.

Hi! Oh, I just found replacement nibs for the Speedball yesterday! :) I
live in PA, and we have a "Michael's - The Arts and Crafts Store." Don't know
if you have a "Michael's" around you, but that's where I went (needed the
finest Speedball tips) - two per box of whichever you buy.
------------------------------------------------------
WeLetterbox@aol.com
P:03 F:18 V:09 X:01 E:00


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I carry the Lino Zip Safety Carvers, anyone interested can contact me off
board. My children use them all the time and no blood!!
I will check and see if I can get replacement blades for you.



~Beth





>From: "acahilly@prodigy.net"
>Reply-To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
>To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [LbNA] Re: Question about carving tools
>Date: Thu, 07 Aug 2003 12:38:09 -0000
>
>Speedball makes "safety" cutters called "Lino-Zips" which are
>exactly what you want. The boxed set (#37) has a handle, a #6 knife
>(NOT a safety tool!), fine and medium V-shaped nibs, and wide and
>large (beats me, but that's what the box says) U- shaped cutters.
>Using these is just like writing with a pencil, but with no up-
>strokes.
>Now if I could only find replacement nibs alone, not part of the
>set, I'd be very happy myself.
>
>
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

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