When an artist by the name of Ken Kaiser created a series of tree carvings for an American roadside museum, chainsaw art was given a thrust into the spotlight in the early 1960’s. Inspiring others to try their own hand at chainsaw sculpting these carvings were huge and incredibly detailed. As a growing art, chainsaw carvings continued to build momentum into the early 90’s. Chainsaw carvings go beyond being a hobby, there is competitive chainsaw carvings as well. Today, we at Carve Me A Bear Chainsaw Carvings would like to touch on chainsaw sculpting and the classes available for beginners interested chainsaw carving.

Beginning Chainsaw Instruction

Like anything that involves chainsaws, the chainsaw craft is not something you want to dive into blindly. There are critical safety precautions to be considered when approaching wood sculpting, especially for physical self-preservation, however, there are tips for looking after your general well-being. The top priority is to respect the tool. You have to have to maintain a healthy respectful fear of the tool, otherwise people can get complacent and they hurt themselves. Never carve while intoxicated or event tired. Handling a chainsaw is physical labor that requires mind and body. Relying entirely on steady hands and intricate cuts, chainsaw carving instructions may also seem pointless to those who think of an art form. However, the craft is more interpretive than you may initially think. Anyone with a chainsaw and a stump can create a wood carving.

Tips for Beginner Chainsaw Carvers

Below are a few important tips if you are interested in chainsaw carving as a hobby, earning a living, or just making some side money.
1) Safety is essential as we mentioned and stressed multiple times. Increase safety by wearing eye protection, use ear plugs, and chaps to protect yourself.
2) To get started at chainsaw carving, you don’t have to a Michelangelo. You do not want to be such a critic that you think your carvings won’t sell as the roughness is part of the charm of chainsaw carving. Most consumers prefer chainsaw art that is plain and simple.
3) Get better with practice. The more you apply your craft, the more your carvings will be improved.
4) From practice, everybody can benefit and at their progresses at their own pace.
5) Avoid brittle but use soft woods. Many experts use western red cedar and redwood. These woods are both weather and pest resistant.
6) Keep your chainsaw sharp. Whether you learn how to sharpen it yourself or you have an expert do it for you, keeping the chainsaw sharp is important.
7) You need a variety saws since you need a big saw in the beginning to lop away the chunks. Then you need a smaller saw for the detailing.
8) Go in with a grinder to do some additional detail work after you are done carving the wood with the saw.
9) To give the fur the right color, burn the carving with a propane torch.
10) In order to create a consistent feathering, brush with a wire brush.
11) Using a linseed or other oil, be sure to oil the carving.

Chainsaw Carvings in Las Vegas, Nevada, Helena, Montana & Nampa, Idaho

Carve Me A Bear Chainsaw Carvings offers classes for chainsaw carving in addition to having remarkable carvings available. Call us today to discuss your classes or carvings!