Hi everyone! I'm pretty new to wood carving and could use some advice. Right now, I'm working with ironwood, which is quite tough, and I've noticed that I often press my thumb against the spine of my knife. This has led to a blister forming. I'm wondering if a carving glove would be a good option to protect my thumb, or if I should consider using a thumb guard instead. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
5 Answers
What they suggest about wrapping your thumb is spot on; that helps a lot! And, no joke, ironwood is tough for a reason—it’s called Ironwood for a reason! Softer wood will be a lot kinder to your hands.
I put a little adhesive bandage on my thumb when dong detailed work. Consistently switching to softer wood is a good idea too, especially when you’re getting the hang of things.
I like to use a foam pad or those bandages designed for blisters. Comfort is key! And yeah, make sure you're using a sharp knife and think about moving to softer wood to build your skill set.
You could definitely try wrapping your thumb with an old piece of fabric or something like duct tape. It's cheap and effective! Also, if you're just starting out, I’d recommend switching to softer wood, like basswood, to avoid the tough stuff at first. It’ll be much easier on your hands.
Honestly, if you’re feeling those blisters, definitely consider a carving glove or even a thumb guard. But I’d also suggest using a sharper knife and softer wood to make the whole process less stressful for your thumb.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll give that a shot.