Woodcarving Issue 177

Issue 177 of Woodcarving magazine is filled with a host of great articles for you. In our Projects section, Steve Bisco carves a magnolia design in tulipwood; Cedric Boyns makes a carving of intertwined hearts for a wedding anniversary; Dave Western finishes his Nordic-style bedboard; beachcomber Paul Purnell turns a wave-washed log into a seahorse letter opener; Zoë Gertner carves a charming dormouse snoozing in a nest of oak leaves; Mitch Peacock tries his hand at a netsuke carving; and Glenda Bennett hones her knotwork skills with a message board. We also have a couple of Christmas-themed projects as Mark Gough makes a Rudolph the Reindeer bottle opener and Peter Benson makes a festive Swedish tomte character.

In Features, Tim McGinn shares his experiences of learning to carve; we review a new book on the life and work of Grinling Gibbons; Michael Culwick tells us how he designed his chisel sharpening jig; chainsaw carver Bob King shares his thoughts and inspirations; and we take a look at the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, Japan.

We have some great Techniques pieces for you too. Nic Westermann looks at how and why edges blunt and what can be done to mitigate this; and Murray Taylor advises on starting out in woodcarving, different carving styles, the tools you will need, difficulties experienced due to various disabilities and carving without a workshop.

We also have updates from the carving community and a peek at our next issue.

All this and more in Woodcarving magazine 177!