Advice re finger carving

[twilson57]

I’m new at leather craft, and I’m about to venture into carving and tooling. I’m particularly interested in decorative styles using just the swivel knife. I’ve seen it called finger carving in some posts. 

I’ve attached some graphics I’ve come across, and I’m wondering if I could carve similar designs using a swivel knife (with lots of practice of course). 

As I said, I’m new at this, so any tips or advice are welcome. 

Thanks 

[Rahere]

In principle, yes, but in practice you'll find the width of the knife doesn't offer you the full width of bevel. The answer's to extend it with bevel punching: a 5mm and a 10mm beveller with a light (<1kg) soft-head mallet will suffice. That will impose working in veg tan only on you, and learning to case the leather, which wouldn't be so necessary in plain knifework.Don't forget a sharpener for the knife, and edge polishing/finish. Many might use antiquing to bring out the bevel fully, too.

Edited July 23, 2021 by Rahere

[twilson57]

52 minutes ago, Rahere said:

it with bevel punching: a 5mm and a 10mm beveller with a light (<1kg) soft-head mallet

Thanks for the informative reply.

I wondered if I might need a beveler to duplicate some of those lines. I’ve purchased a swivel knife (Barry King w/ 3/8 blade); I thought I’d buy other tools as needed. 
My plan is to use veg tan for making notebook covers with the design on the front. I think it'll be a fun project and make nice gifts for family and friends. 

[chuck123wapati]

https://storage.googleapis.com/leathercraftlibrary/Archives/PDFs/Vintage-Doodle-Page-Collectors-Set---Series-D2.pdf

[twilson57]

3 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

https://storage.googleapis.com/leathercraftlibrary/Archives/PDFs/Vintage-Doodle-Page-Collectors-Set---Series-D2.pdf

Thank you for the link! This is very helpful. 

[chuck123wapati]

16 hours ago, twilson57 said:

Thank you for the link! This is very helpful. 

yw there is alot of free info there.

[Sheilajeanne]

Six basic strokes does it all?

Um, yeah how do you do those tight curves that so often show up in Sheridan carving?  You know, like the ones on this  cell phone case?

If anyone's got some tips on how to do these smoothly, I'm all ears! I found I've had the best luck with keeping the knife more or less stationary, and turning the leather.

[fredk]

28 minutes ago, Sheilajeanne said:

Um, yeah how do you do those tight curves that so often show up in Sheridan carving?  You know, like the ones on this  cell phone case?

If anyone's got some tips on how to do these smoothly, I'm all ears! I found I've had the best luck with keeping the knife more or less stationary, and turning the leather.

 

Move both the leather and the knife

[chuck123wapati]

13 hours ago, Sheilajeanne said:

Six basic strokes does it all?

Um, yeah how do you do those tight curves that so often show up in Sheridan carving?  You know, like the ones on this  cell phone case?

If anyone's got some tips on how to do these smoothly, I'm all ears! I found I've had the best luck with keeping the knife more or less stationary, and turning the leather.

Sorry i didn't write the book but yea like Fred said.

[Sheilajeanne]

I managed a half-decent job of them on that phone case, but believe me, I was sweating bullets!  Not going to show you my first efforts which were on a wallet...