Q&A for How to Carve

It depends on what you're going for. Sanding is a good finishing technique if you want a smooth surface. Remember to go with the grain, and consider using small pieces guided by small tools on small areas.

The angle of carving tools for soft woods is around 17 degrees, and for harder woods it's 25 degrees or more.

If you know what you're doing, sure. Start out with something easy, like a bar of soap. Just make sure you ask a parent first, and possibly have someone supervise you to make sure you've got the technique down.

Your hand position will change with almost every stroke of the blade, whether that be a knife blade, chisel, gouge, or other tool. You have to just keep in mind where the sharp edge is going and try to keep it from slipping into you. Start with good habits, and try hard to keep the edge from going toward a body part.

Bevel down for new users; it keeps the chisel from digging too deeply. There are some techniques that you can use bevel up, but you have to watch how deeply it wants to dig into the wood. With bevel down, you can use the bevel to pivot up.

You could, but I wouldn't recommend it. It's not your safest choice, nor will it be as effective. If anything, use a small fixed-blade knife. An X-ACTO knife is a carver's best friend.

End gain can be hard to cut and the wood will split a lot easier I use small stop cuts and take it slow.

The angle of carving tools for soft woods is around 17 degrees, and for harder woods it's 25 degrees or more.