How to Carve Wood Sculptures with a Beginner's Kit

Read the manual that comes with your beginner's wood carving kit carefully. It will detail the knives that come with it, how to use them and how to care for them. Most beginner kits come with four to six knives with blades meant for specific kinds of cuts and chips.

Choose a beginning project from the book that comes with your kit. Most kits will include a book with a series of carving projects of escalating difficulty. The first models in the book may seem plain but will teach you the skills you need to carve the more difficult projects successfully. Chip carving projects are widely regarded as the easiest.

Clear a work space on a table where you have a good height and sufficient lighting even after dark. You will enjoy your beginning forays into this hobby more if you have a comfortable, bright work space. Lay out your knives on the same side of the table as your good hand for easy access.

Put on a Kevlar safety gloves, which are included in many modern kits. If your kit doesn't come with a glove, order one from a wood carving supply website or buy one at your local hobby shop.

Follow the directions for your carving project step by step. Use short cuts with only moderate force with each chip. Never try to force a long or deep cut, which escalates your risk of ruining the project or cutting your hand.

Stop working when your eyes or hands become fatigued. Resist the temptation to complete just "one more part." You chances of injury increase exponentially as you get tired.

Sharpen your knives regularly -- even as often as before each carving session. Sharp knives do the cutting for you, meaning you push the knives with less force and avoid injury more easily.