[Baren]: The mailing list / discussion forum for woodblock printmaking.

Baren Digest              Wednesday, 4 August 1999      Volume 08 : Number 649


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From: "Lezle Williams" <lezlewilliams@gwtc.net>
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1999 09:47:41 -0500
Subject: [Baren 5143] Re:   Baren Digest V8 #648 

Julio wrote:
> Just returned from visiting your web site, wonderful work, love your animals

Dear Julio,
Thanks for the kind words.  I haven't done that type of work for a couple of
years now.  Mostly, because my work is again focused on the printmaking, but
I've also found that that sort of work (representational/illustrational)
doesn't afford much respect in the art world.  Yet, I do feel good about it,
because even though I'm not currently creating new illustrations- what I've
done is used over and over by wildlife groups and they greatly appreciate it
(I just had 5 appear in a magazine that I received only yesterday) and it is
my way to contribute to something I find most important.  Now, my challenge
is combining my printmaking with the same sort of issues in a more
conceptual, artistic sort of way.  I am currently working on a non-toxic
etching, (first in a series of 4) on the fragility of the earth...

Lezle

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From: David Bull <davebull@woodblock.com>
Date: Wed, 04 Aug 1999 00:10:59 +0900
Subject: [Baren 5144] Updates ...

Just a quick note for all you wood engraving nuts on the list - you'll
find a few new things of interest in the Library ...

http://woodblock.com/encyclopedia/updates.html

Dave

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From: "Jean Eger" <jeaneger@LanMinds.Com>
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 1999 00:35:27 +0900
Subject: [Baren 5145] 

Hi Pete,
I discovered some very sharp and very inexpensive knives at Hida Tool and
Hardware in Berkeley.  The order number is 1-800-443-5512.  They are called
"Power Grip."  A set of five is $28.80.  Individually they are $6.00 each.
You could probably find this brand in some other store as well.

If you search the WWW under woodworking, you will find an abundance of
stuff.  You can buy woodcutting tools at any level of price.

Jean Eger

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From: flint <flint.hahn@ucop.edu>
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1999 08:50:54 -0700
Subject: [Baren 5146] Re: Knives

I too can vouch for these tools, they are nice, inexpensive knives.
Certainly far superior than the regular student grade you find at
most art supply stores. They also have a unique handle that allows
for different hand positions: the traditional "pencil" grip, full
palm grip, or end-of-handle grip. A very comfortable handle all
around. It even comes in a hard plastic "flippy-sliding" (R) case.

Flint Hahn

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@home.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1999 12:44:31 -0800
Subject: [Baren 5147] Penny Wise  ????

I debated about responding to these postings.

I wonder if you..... Flint and Jean or others..... have tried the
traditional Japanese carving tools.
If you haven't then I'm wondering if you are comparing apples and oranges.
I have tried Swiss and  English Sheffield cutting tools and they don't come
close to the Japanese tools.

I realize that cost is a factor however I would hate to see a person by
something that looks like a bargain.  You truly get what you pay for with
carving tools.

McClain's has good products and you should save your money for the best.
The design of these tools handles and the damask steel make them second to
none.

My 2centsworth.  I know this suggestions will save you money in time.

Regards,

Graham

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From: Jack Reisland <reislandj001@hawaii.rr.com>
Date: Tue, 03 Aug 1999 10:08:10 +0000
Subject: [Baren 5148] Re: Penny Wise 

Graham Scholes wrote:

> I debated about responding to these postings.
>
> I wonder if you..... Flint and Jean or others..... have tried the
> traditional Japanese carving tools.
> If you haven't then I'm wondering if you are comparing apples and oranges.
> I have tried Swiss and  English Sheffield cutting tools and they don't come
> close to the Japanese tools.

I too have used regularly Swiss as well as German carving tools for years in my
restoration work. When I recently acquired a set of Japanese woodblock tools, I
was very surprised at the difference. All those years I thought that steel was
all pretty much the same, and that I was working with pretty sharp tools. My new
Japanese tools just slice through wood the way I could never make the European
tools work. The European tools just don't take an edge quite as sharp. Of
course, for most of my usual wood carving, I will continue to use the European
tools, because of their reach, and the shape of their handles and blades, but I
sure couldn't imagine trying to use them for woodblock cutting. I'm glad you
spoke up, Graham.

Jack

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From: Wanda Robertson <robertson@canby.com>
Date: Tue, 03 Aug 1999 13:25:17 -0700
Subject: [Baren 5149] Re: Penny Wise  

Graham is right on this, trust me! I have a tool chest full of just
about any kind of woodcarving/chisel type tool you can mention -
although I haven't seen the "power grips" mentioned earlier. Frankly, if
you are going to do woodblocks in the Japanese style then you should use
Japanese tools. They've been refining them for hundreds of years, they
know of which they speak! If you can only afford one, then buy one. But,
don't waste your money on that other stuff.

My Opinion only, your mileage may vary.

Wanda

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From: flint <flint.hahn@ucop.edu>
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1999 13:18:26 -0700
Subject: [Baren 5150] Re: Penny Wise  ????

I am glad you responded about the budget supplies topic.

No, your right. If you can hold out for good tools, by all means do 
so. And it certainly is true that you do get what you pay for. High 
quality knives will allow you to focus on carving, rather than 
mashing the wood, continual sharpening of the knife, and looking for 
bandages because your cheap knife dulls easily. If however, you only 
do woodblock prints as a mild hobby, then the more expensive tools 
may be overkill.

McClain's has an excellent beginners 4-piece and 6-piece set, at a 
reasonable price. I purchased the Power Grip knives due to the fact 
that money was a bit short and Hida Tool is only 2 miles away. 
However I feel these knives are far superior to the cheapo knives 
that are practically disposable. I've been happy with how they keep 
an edge as well as how comfortable they feel. The down side to the 
Power Grips, is that they have a limited selection of sizes.

I've tried the traditional carving tools, and have found them quite 
comfortable. Both in how the hand grips them and the way the slice 
into the wood.

Flint Hahn

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From: Pedrobot@aol.com
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1999 16:59:16 EDT
Subject: [Baren 5151] Thank you, everyone.

Boy, you certainly get your questions answered with a vengeance around here!

    Thank you everyone so much for your opinions and suggestions.  This is 
going to be a lifelong pursuit for me, and that being the case I think it is 
in my best interest to go with the more expensive tools.  I think that I'll 
start building up my set, one tool at a time if need be, with the best tools 
I can get.  Graham set up a pretty nifty little page with some suggested 
priorities as to which knives I should be going after first.  Using that as a 
guideline, along with my own (albiet limitet) experience, I think I should do 
pretty well.

Thanks again-

--Pete  

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From: Gregory Robison <grobison@swiftuganda.com>
Date: Wed, 04 Aug 1999 05:51:17 +0300
Subject: [Baren 5152] Openings; vampires

Kampala, 4 August 1999

Barbara: congrats on your opening!
Gayle: I spent a night in Kluj, Transylvania, last week, and fortunately did not
see any of your friends.

Greg

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From: John Ryrie <j.ryrie@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au>
Date: Wed, 04 Aug 1999 21:16:28 +1000
Subject: [Baren 5153] Re: [photocopys=

I haven't tried Japanese tools except for the cheep  throw away type.  They
aren't available hear so I will leave that subject alone.
Instead I have another technique for transferring photocopies on to wood
blocks.  This method was related to me by an Australian Printmaker Kay Green
several years ago and I have just got around to trying it.  
You need Methol Salicyate (Wintergreen Oil) this is available from health food
shops it is a natural reedy for muscular pains.  paint some onto the block then
put a fresh photocopy (no more than 24 hours old ) face down on the block then
run it through a press.  I haven't tried a baren this may work also.  The image
will be clear and wen dry , almost immediately it will not rub off.  this
method works on lino' and Litho' stones only with the stones you need to pass
it through the press 4-5 times.

John Ryrie

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End of Baren Digest V8 #649
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