Whittling a 2.5” Character

This little fella is whittled from a piece of pine 2.5” x 1.25” x 1.25”

[@theaverageviewer6331]

I've watched many of your videos and have got so much enjoyment from them. Your easily one of the best woodcarvers on KZbin. Thanks so much for sharing it's really appreciated.

[@lorrainelewis473]

You are fantastic. Also the best lighting and close up filming ever. Keep on keeping on. Thanks

[@KevinCoates98]

Thanks Lorraine

[@alex8426]

Wow, that is a nice piece. You got the midas touch Mr. Kevin. Thank you for sharing

[@KevinCoates98]

Thank you Alex

[@user-22-]

I am always amazed at the amount of detail you can achieve with that machete of a knife!!!! It is a pleasure to watch you work, instantly seeing a human appear from a block of wood.

[@johngoodall7097]

Amazing for such a small carving that the majority of cuts are done with your big knife, you have skills Kevin, you are so confident in that knife you hardly need the smaller ones. Well done that man. Cheers from John in England.

[@KevinCoates98]

Thanks John, that knife is my favourite tool

[@keenanlanser9409]

Thank you so much for putting the dimensions and the type of wood your using in the description! I’m glad that you heard my suggestion, and that you listen to your fans! It will really help me a lot

[@KevinCoates98]

No problem. Glad it helps

[@Bruuski]

You might want to move past his given dimensions. They don't matter. Learn the skill and cuts. Repeat the face on 10 different sizes of wood. Change things on each one... longer nose, frown, smile, wink. Only then will you learn to carve rather than copying what he's doing. You'll find that no matter the wood dimensions he continues to compete the steps the same on each hunk of wood.

[@shoeshow1999]

You amaze me with your talent. I worry about your hands and no protection. Thanks so much for bringing so much enjoyment to us.

[@KevinCoates98]

Thanks Jerry. Back about 20yrs ago when I first start carving I would cut myself pretty much everyday. I would encourage anyone to wear a glove.

[@brianmoore7910]

Just brilliant 👌👌👌

[@jameswesley4671]

You are so talented,as always God bless.

[@KevinCoates98]

Thanks James

[@JohnSmith-gr8kh]

Hi Kevin, I’ve just come across your channel and I’m truly amazed with your carving skills. I was surprised by the No Cut on pine in NFLD...being that it appears to be plentiful in your beautiful province. I’ve just recently toured most of the entire province spending three full weeks of exploring and sightseeing. I enjoy your channel...

[@KevinCoates98]

Thanks Denis, here on the northeast Avalon where I live there’s isn’t much white pine. Probably none. Other parts of the island have it. What I get from Home Depot is trucked in from elsewhere. Hope you enjoyed the island

[@randybradley7427]

You have a great talent. Very nice work.

[@KevinCoates98]

Thanks Randy

[@JanaMusicOfficial]

Hey Kevin Your videos teach me so much! I’m getting much better at carving faces thanks to you. :) Do you have big hands? Your pieces always seem so much smaller when you hold them.

[@KevinCoates98]

That’s good to hear. I guess they are average size

[@Kranky916]

Great video. You have a live mic, because we can hear the sound of the cuts. I would love to hear you talking about why you are making them. I realize you may not like the sound of your voice, but it would help teach us so much!! Just things like "I think I want him to have xxx so I am going to do this."

[@Kranky916]

It is also amazing how much detail you get using a sword to whittle with!

[@thomasjohnson3586]

Great video and carving its amazing the detail you carve with such a large knife you are very talented. What type of wood are you carving just curious it looks like its weathered

[@KevinCoates98]

Thanks. You probably won’t ever hear me talk in my videos. I have replied to a few other comments on the same question. I will try to add some text on what I’m doing. Maybe that will help some. As for the knife. I know it’s big but it’s really good to carve with once you get use to it

[@KevinCoates98]

Thanks Thomas. The knife works well for me. The wood is white pine. It may have spent a little time outside by the looks of it

[@cavemanjohnnie]

Absolutely terrific, I just want to ask..are your carvings considered flat plane carving?

[@KevinCoates98]

Thanks John. I really don’t know. Some may say it is but I don’t think it is

[@cavemanjohnnie]

@@KevinCoates98 Either way...fantastic!

[@joanmanuel7744]

I love your videos, and I've watched all of them. I'm left handed also, and it really makes a difference watching you carve at the same angle as I do. 😀 Have you studied under anyone, or have you learned all on your own? Thanks for sharing your talent.

[@KevinCoates98]

Thank you Joan. Glad you enjoy the videos. I am self taught.

[@augusthermann9102]

That's it. The one and only BIG KNIFE😉

[@dougLinker]

Another great one!

[@KevinCoates98]

Thanks Doug

[@timbarnett6781]

Kevin. You make me really nervous with that knife. By now i'd be on my way to the emergency room for the third time.

[@KevinCoates98]

I know Tim I should wear a glove. The thing is I’ve been doing it for so long without one it would be too weird. It’s not good logic. it’s just me.

[@grahamparr4710]

I've got big boots and it ain't no lie!

[@randybradley9953]

Your very good so talented. I try but not near as good

[@whittler0507]

Great video Kevin

[@KevinCoates98]

Thanks Gene

[@roberttolley5055]

Leather belt, 2× 1,2,3,4,6 what ever pieces of smooth marble, fine stone.20 drags stone each side,40 drags over marble, 40 strobes 50 over belt each time. This will makes knifes 10 time sharper than a razor blade, I. Cut 1/4 leather one 2 pass

[@KevinCoates98]

I have a leather belt for this but I use wood most time. Maybe I’ll use the belt. Thanks for the info

[@roberttolley5055]

The granite, marble game changer! For smoother popish

[@lesamos8900]

While being handled while carving your characters take on the colour of old ivory from the natural oil in your hands this is lost when they are painted such a pity ,do you know any of the many characters you have carved so wonderfully and do you have any idea how many you have done.i should have started doing this fourty or fifty years ago i may then with luck and hard work be some where near as good as you such a great talent .

[@KevinCoates98]

Thank you. I like the natural look of the wood. Most people who buy my carvings prefer them painted. I started carving about 22-23 years ago. Since then it’s we’ll over 8000 I’ve done

[@KevinCoates98]

Quite a few of the characters I’ve done would resemble people I remembered from when I was growing up

[@Limicola1]

Amazing knife work. Love your videos!

[@KevinCoates98]

Thank you

[@bmilhoan]

Kevin, would you say you often tackle the same steps first when approaching a project?

[@antoniosquillace880]

Beautiful. I would like to know, what kind of wood do you use?

[@KevinCoates98]

Thank you. White pine

[@scottlawrence2015]

Great video, have you done animals Kevin? Thx

[@KevinCoates98]

Thanks Scott. I’ve done some but it’s not something I enjoy doing. I prefer doing character faces over anything

[@user-22-]

What...??? No eye lashes! ?? Lol 🤎

[@thomasjohnson3586]

I thought it was pine but wasn't sure I know you have plenty there Newfoundland I have relatives that live in Deer Lake. And Pasedena.

[@KevinCoates98]

Thomas, this pine I get at Home Depot. It probably comes in from Nova Scotia. Here in Newfoundland there’s a No Cut on pine. Not even allowed to bring a windfall from the woods. Not sure on why

[@robertbrown7602]

so talented ! Did you just cut off a thin paring knife for the Big Knife ?

[@KevinCoates98]

Thanks Robert. It’s a fish knife

[@davidwellman7080]

What is re best wood to use for whittling?

[@KevinCoates98]

David, according to what I read or see in videos basswood seems to be the preferred wood among carvers. I use eastern white pine. Here where I live that’s pretty much all that’s available. I buy it in 1” boards and laminate it to whatever size I need

[@davidwellman7080]

@@KevinCoates98 thank you I just found your channel . It's awesome and I'm hooked thank you!!