If you don't want to follow specific courses or manuals, the best thing to do is to start playing with the Linden block that I'm sending you as a gift with the Carvin' Jack by Flexcut.

Well, it depends on how bold you are :-) but also on how much you can digest mistakes and the first results that are never perfect.

I AM NOT BOLD: Take the Linden block you received as a gift and transform it into a round, smooth stick.

I'M JUST BOLD: You can try making a Try Stick. There are many examples online.

I'M JUST BOLD: Draw a spoon shape with a pencil and start having fun. A wooden spoon is always useful!

Wood carving knows no limits, you can produce accessories useful for your adventures such as handles , decorated cups , cutlery and so on and so forth!

Another chapter is the sculpture of decorative objects, such as real or fantastic animals to decorate your bedside table and forget about bringing someone to bed forever!

I wouldn't give up a pair of gloves , the simple, tight-fitting ones you can buy at a hardware store.

They won't protect you from the blade indefinitely, but they often prevent superficial cuts.

Another useful thing is to reinforce the thumb of the dominant hand with duct tape or similar.

Yes, if it is a good idea to always have them in your backpack, when carving it is mandatory!

Remember to clean the cut well before applying the patch.

The blade lock is a very important feature and the Carvin' Jack has one.

However, we are talking about handling razor-sharp blades very close to your fingers, so it is as safe as you can avoid having them touch your skin!

A wise man told me: It is not the blade that cuts you when carving wood, but haste and distraction.

Carving is a very relaxing and satisfying activity to do while camp in the woods, in front of the fire. But it is also easy to start getting distracted after a while and you have to learn to avoid that. Or Carvin' Jack will teach you :-)

DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN!!!

If you start working with green wood your blades will quickly become dirty with sap and this can become a problem.

The sap sticks to the thread and is moist, accelerating its oxidation.

So be careful:

1) Spray a solvent-based lubricant such as WD0 on the blade only.

2) Let it act for a few minutes.

3) Dry with a tissue.

4) Repeat until completely clean.

Working on seasoned wood is much more satisfying and clean, I recommend it.

In the package you will find a special tool for sharpening these particular blades, some abrasive paste and all the instructions for maintaining an excellent edge.

If you need a video guide, you can find it here.