What brand of tools do you use?

Hi Van beginner carver here do you sell face study sticks ? If so would love to buy one ?? Thank you new subscriber

Nice info !!! 👍👍

Enjoyed the instruction. Thanks for sharing! Will definitely be watching some of your other videos.

I LOVE İT

Wow, I never thought about that. Thank you for this bit of advice.

Excellent stuff.! I learned a lot. Thank you and best wishes

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you Mr Van

Great videos good tutorial thank you. . JAMES

That was an excellent demonstration. Nicely done. Thank you and best wishes

This is an excellent video Van, I'm a wood carvers here in the east Tennessee area. I wanted to thank you for showing us that larger bass wood with the bark on it, very good information!👍💯

Excellent. Thank you.

You are so versatile. Perfect with your speed while u teach and masterful in your gifting. Thank you for being one of the best as I can tell your very discipline and well versed/experienced in literally almost every vid Iv seen you bang out. Coming to u from northern AL here! keep rolling out videos Roll Tide Roll 🐘

VAN you are inspiring ! Iv been following you recently and you’re one of my favorites for carving characters. You have a lot of wisdom and humility and appear to have an awesome Heart friend. Cannot wait to watch all of your older videos please keep making them. You know your stuff very well and a master at teaching and carving. 👊🏼Lion Tu you a ton 🐋

Greetings from Poland, Michael

I purchased Helvie and Drake tools, but it will take a lot of time. I placed the order when both companies were facing difficulties. I will probably have to wait another year..

DeepHollerKnives rule!

I made the harbor freight mistake. 🤦‍♂️ My first quality knife was like a dream come true.

Hey its Josh u pretty good

What is "R60"

Thank you Van ..Important lesson

Amen, I know it's hard to swallow cost for a good knife, But one good knife is a good start! Thanks and take care

There is no getting around cheap carving tools, don't waste your money. I have a set that I thought was pretty good but, when I compare them to a set that cost me a little more money, there is no comparison. It is not the way to learn to carve. Some hold an edge longer then others. I like my carving tools to be sharp and hold an edge. I have bought several Drake and Dockyard carving tools and they are for me very good quality. They also hold an edge. Thank you Van for the enlightening video.

Hey Van - those cheap tools just aren't sharp and CAN be sharpened. Some very respected and expensive UK chisel makers even send their tools out unfinished so you can put your own edge on. Not sharp doesn't mean it's always trash, just a harder step for beginners. Cheap tools usually show up by not having misshapen ends/poorly finished, too thick or thin metal, bad handles or not holding an edge for any length of time. I do agree with the overall message though. Buy the best you can afford and a blunt tool is a dangerous one.

Yeah I have tools like that. And it is extremely discouraging.

Wer billig kauft, kauft 2x

I like what you do and wish I had those sticks I the face, noise, ears, mouth, and more.

This was great! You inspire me to get better. Thank you!!!

Thank you for sharing 😊

where did you get your detail knife?

Wax is great! Try a natural horse hair shoe brush. You'll LOVE it !

Thank you for sharing the level of efforts involved in making these knifes. Now I see that every penny I paid is worth.

Have been using Howard's orange oil and bee's wax for a long time, works great.

Good advice, thanks 🎉

Just what I was looking for. Merci!

🐝🐝🐝🐝👍🏻 thanks good stuff

I am also a big fan of Howard's Feed N Wax. I use a paint brush, lather it on, and let it sit for 24 hours. Then I use a shoe-shining brush and paper towel to rub in/clean off. I've noticed after a year or so, the carvings tend to need it again.

I’m looking forward to the indian tutorial.

I’ve been using this for ages. Leaves a real nice finish and lasts a while.

I paint with an acrylic wash let it dry then use Howard's feed and wax brush then apply semigloss Deft spray.

I've been using that same product and technique over acrylic paint for years with great results. I'll be looking forward to carving the Indian if you are teaching that, yours looks great!

Thanks for the tips!

Can you apply Howard's over acrylic painted carvings?

Hi Van, do you do this process on a painted carving or just an unpainted carving?

Thank you Van for sharing. That bees wax looks like it is a nice finish on a piece of bass wood. Thank You

Thanks ! :) Michael from Poland

Do you ever prep with linseed oil?

Have you tried painting first then using the wax technique?