How to Carve the Letter S in Relief | Learn How to Carve a Sign | Wood Carving for Beginners

There's a lot to learn from carving letters. This is the first Beginner Video in a series of tutorials that will show you how to carve different letters in three dimension, both concave and convex. Apply the skills you learn in this lesson to carve numbers, other letters, and curved figures (like a snake!).
Project Skill Level - Beginner
These Beginner Tutorials are taught by professional carver, Randall 'Madcarver' Stoner and Schaaf Tool. Happy Carving!
Gouges Used in this video are from the Schaaf Tools 12-pc Foundation Set - Starter Wood Carving Tools for Beginners
www.schaaftools.com/products/...
Profiles used:
- 1s Skew Chisel
- 8 - 4mm Gouge
- 5 - 8mm Gouge
Timestamp: [0:54]
- Use the Skew chisel to cut along the outline of your letter
Timestamp: [1:56]
- Change to the 8-4mm to get the inner rounded edge of the S
- The smaller tip of this gouge will allow you to get into that tight curve
Timestamp: [3:18]
- Now take a little more material off the surrounding area with the 5 - 8mm Gouge
- The stop cut made earlier with your Skew Chisel allows you to cut away wood around the letter S without cutting into the letter itself
Timestamp: [4:52]
- As you go, use the Skew Chisel again to remove any debris that's leftover, and make the stop cut deeper.
- Continue cutting away the surrounding area so the letter becomes raised
Timestamp: [5:19]
- Use the smaller 8 - 4mm gouge to cut away wood in the narrow crevice of the S's inside curves
Timestamp: [6:03]
- Use your 5 - 8mm gouge to cleanup the edges of the letter
- Making delicate cuts, scrape away the pencil marks
- Change to your Skew to finish making a perfect line around the edges of the Letter

[@seastar8519]

I am new and these videos are very helpful to learn how and to select tools. Thanks from Costa Rica.

[@Nonameplz_]

Thank you for the video! I've recently been working on a similar project.

[@SchaafTools]

Awesome! Glad it was helpful. We'd love to see your work - tag us if you have an IG or Facebook #schaaftools :)

[@Salmo1960]

Unfortunately an advert came onscreen across the work piece at the end of the video

[@SchaafTools]

thanks for bringing that to our attention. we fixed the issue!

[@ChrisStCyr-gnt7]

I cringed every time you had your fingers in front of the chisels and when you were pointing back towards your body. I’m new to carving but I know the rule about pushing blades away from you. I also have enough scars on my fingers and hands to prove it is an easy role to forget.