How to Carve My Favorite Simple Santa Ornament - Tutorial Part 1 - Hat Action

[@danmeek928]

I’m doing something really fun for this next year, we have two nursing homes and I have decided that I’m going to carve a Christmas tree ornament for each resident. I have 40 done and they have another 60 to do. But I think it would be worth it. Although it is a donation that I don’t want any money knowing that I am going to do it. The difficulty I have is a spinal cord injury which limits how much I can really do. I’m very fortunate and have a brother that doesn’t mind firing up my tools and sign me some wood ornaments size lol but I still have a lot of time to work it out.😂😊

[@GregoryDegnan]

Great video. Step by step but no wasted time or motion. If you are still doing these I would love to see a grinch carving.

[@lunsfordcarvings]

fantastic! I will see what I can do!

[@patgaff3886]

Thank you for sharing your talent and knowledge.

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Absolutely! I hope it was beneficial!

[@silkkdread]

Great video I like how u explain as you go and the soothing sounds of the blades cutting the wood

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thanks! I appreciate the feedback!

[@beaunaro]

This is a very good tutorial. I hope you make more. The instructions are strait forward and the video is great quality. I also enjoy the weekly demos and interviews on you International Association of Wood Carving Show. Thanks for sharing and creating the help for us.

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Absolutely! Thanks so much for the positive feedback!!

[@SewWhittle]

This is exactly the kind of video I’ve been searching for…..step-by-step and explained so I can understand (As a beginner). Please make some more of these. 🙏🏼. I hope you haven’t abandoned this channel. 😢. Also, I can’t find you on IG 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@lunsfordcarvings]

You can find me on Instagram un LunsfordCarvings. I am still posting on this channel, but also the host of International Association of Wood Carvers channel.

[@halflingcarvings]

Great video! The filming angle on this one was perfect. Easy to see what you were doing the whole time

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thank you! I’ve worked on getting a good setup to record videos. I appreciate the feedback!

[@chaunceymitchell]

Excellent video Blake. Not only are you an excellent carver you are also an excellent teacher! Thanks for taking the time to do these videos.

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thanks so much Chauncey! I'm glad the videos are beneficial!

[@solidworkstips]

Great tutorial. The techniques create such a wonderful and expressive look. Thank you for taking the time to record, explain and share the full process!

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Absolutely! Thanks for taking a look!

[@WilliamRecardo]

Thank you I’m new subscriber looks like fun can’t wait to start it

[@francorui2493]

Great to explain as you go along, looking forward to see more future videos , Best regards

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thanks so much!!

[@andrewformiller5209]

Thanks for the video. I learned some new techniques. V-tool on its side to clean up. That was my favorite tip.

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Fantastic! Glad it was beneficial!

[@kevinhampton7215]

Thanks Blake, you got me straight chippin

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Hahaha!!

[@John-eb1dk]

Great video Blake! Very clear and helpful. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Absolutely! Thanks for following along!

[@MW-gs3uj]

Thank you! Excellent video & instructions

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thanks so much! I appreciate you following along!

[@loribrooks6736]

Thank you Blake! As a new carver (since August 2020) I find this very easy to follow and your V-Tool tip on using it to soften the edge of the hat is invaluable! I’m looking forward to watching more from you... thanks for the helpful tutorial.

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Absolutely! Thanks for following along! I hope they are helpful!

[@lhigdon4039]

very much liking this format.. great work

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thank you!

[@vrb1960]

I would love to see your version of a cowboy on the same triangle block.

[@lunsfordcarvings]

That would be a fun one! I will see what I can do!

[@jwatt65]

Thanks for taking the time to help us learn your techniques. Would love to see some caricatures. I enjoy making groupings such as nativity, chess set, choir, etc. These give me a fun project. Would you consider a series like one of those? I would love to see something like that... thanks again, you do great work.

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Great suggestion! There is a picture of a grouping of caricatures under my Community link. Thanks for the feedback!!

[@janlvll5486]

Do one of your caricature faces! Better yet the hole guy! Please Thanks for this video! I know it's an old one but I am just now carving it!

[@mehmetberattas5657]

Thanks Blake, really good lesson

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for checking it out!

[@marthachapman416]

Awesome job with the video!

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thank you Martha!

[@markdmaker3173]

Awesome video my friend, well done!

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thanks Mark! I appreciate the feedback!

[@irishbob100]

I really enjoyed this tutorial. I would like to see how to do different expressions . Thank you for taking the time to do these videos

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thanks Robert! I will definitely be doing more facial expressions.

[@jimgardner6473]

I also would love to see more facial expressions especially a very heavy brow with a long witch nose hope thats not too big of a ask. Thanks for your time on putting these out they really help

[@lunsfordcarvings]

@@jimgardner6473 Thank you! I will keep that in mind for future videos! I appreciate it!

[@ronaldainaire7086]

I agree! Very well explained.

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thanks so much!

[@janlvll5486]

Thank you Blake!

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Hope it’s helpful!!

[@janlvll5486]

@@lunsfordcarvings yes very. Could you help tell me what number and sizes of gouges I need to start with.?. Please.

[@wjess3569]

Thanks Blake.. Wanting to get started.. but, kinda new at this. Maybe OCD taking over?? I only have a 1.5" square block that I cut into a triangle like yours.. What would be the length of the block.. certainly not 4" like yours.. and what would you suggest as the starting point for the nose? I'm guessing it's a ratio thing.. unless I want to make a long skinny face ??? Thanks BTW, where did you get the knife blade you made your knife from??

[@lunsfordcarvings]

I would probably go to something about 3 - 3 1/2". You want to leave plenty of room for the beard at the bottom. Start by drawing in the top of the hat, and then you can determine with the amount of space under the fur how far down you want your nose to be. As for the knife, the one in the beginning I believe I made the blade from 01 tool steel.

[@stephenwhittier6439]

Great job, and your video quality is second to none. Can’t believe it took so long to find you. 👍 Nice job on the knife too !

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thanks so much Stephen!

[@francorui2493]

One thing i am learning is to use more gouges and V tools to use together with the knives

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Keep up the good work! I’ll try to explain the uses as I do more videos! Thanks for following along!

[@Santos-oc2no]

Love it thanks for sharing

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thanks for watching! I hope my videos are beneficial!

[@Richard-ky9lf]

Thank-you for a very good tutorial. I appreciate starting Santa ornaments now. Perhaps you will consider some thoughts on how you make a knife sometime.

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thanks Richard! I appreciate the kind comments! I may do a video on Knife making at some point. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@diannmcdonald4949]

This was a super tutorial. Well explained and detailed. I love the sound of the knife on the wood. Do you carve sheep? A spring ewe would be wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@lunsfordcarvings]

I've never tried a sheep. I will have to do some research! Thanks so much for the kind comments and feedback!

[@billclarke9887]

I’ve admired your Santa’s for some time and have just found your demos in KZbin. Thanks, learning-a lot. Ben carving a long time but have gotten rut. Your video has helped.

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thanks Bill! Let me know if you have any questions. Sometimes it just takes a little different way of looking at things to get us out of that carving rut. Glad it had helped!

[@janiehall6095]

Hi Blake I found ur tutorials yeah

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thanks so much! I hope they are beneficial! Let me know if you have questions!

[@TJPisano151]

Great videos !! Question where did you get the leather case for the dockyard tools??

[@lunsfordcarvings]

I got that from a leather maker at the Charlotte Woodcarving show a few years back. The business was Southern Carving & Leather and their phone number is 704-215-9955 .

[@janlvll5486]

How about a Gnomes doing something or holding something.

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Good suggestion! I’ll see what I can do!

[@mehmetberattas5657]

He is talking about me I guess 🤪😄

[@andysupers5468]

Great video. What size/degree is the V-tool you use?

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Thanks so much! I use a 45 degree v tool and also use a soft v made by Denny or Drake.

[@ronnieburdette925]

Hi Blake, that looks like easy wood to work with, is it basswood or white pine & where do you get if from? BTW, your work is beautiful, thank you for sharing your videos with us 👌🏼

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Hey Ronnie! This is northern basswood and you can source it at places like Heinecke Wood Products and Loesshill Sawmill. You can also find it at Moore Wood & Roughouts. All of these are great sources. Thanks so much for your kind comments!

[@richardkunicki5684]

Hi Blake I guess I missed something. I see you marked the hat location but where dimensionally is it placed and how big? I am not very good at this but I keep trying. Thanks

[@lunsfordcarvings]

The line where the eyes are on the ornament should be about half way from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin area. The Hat should land above the eye line in about the top 1/3 of the carving.

[@johnleblanc3552]

Who makes / sells a soft V- palm tool? Thanks

[@lunsfordcarvings]

I purchased mine from Drake. Every now and then you can find them on ebay. You can also check with the Whittle Shack as I think they are getting some in to sell.

[@johnleblanc3552]

Thank you for reply. Appreciate very much. And thanks for sharing your Santa carving techniques. Has been very helpful.@@lunsfordcarvings

[@leonmorgans4250]

Hi. Any suggestions for a.good knife supplier in the UK?

[@lunsfordcarvings]

I would check with Helvie and see if they are interested in shipping to UK.

[@leonmorgans4250]

Thanks. I did that and they will ship. Just too difficult to get hold of one.

[@lunsfordcarvings]

@@leonmorgans4250 I sent you a DM on Instagram with a suggestion

[@angietiller2332]

What kind of wood where do you get them

[@bradtate158]

What v tool are you using?

[@hortonheat666]

What are the dimensions of the wood ??

[@lunsfordcarvings]

I took a 2"x2" block and split on the diagonal about 3 1/2" long. I have also done the same with a 3" x 3" split on the diagonal about 5" long.

[@hortonheat666]

@@lunsfordcarvings thank you for the reply

[@bigfoot8778]

Where's part 2?

[@lunsfordcarvings]

Getting ready to post it!

[@michaelduncan6287]

Kill the backbround music,,,, very annoying!