Start chainsaw carving
Chainsaw carvers turn logs into bears, owls and mushrooms. Start the safe way: carve a small mushroom with hand tools, learn how shapes come out of a log, then move up to a saw with training and full protective gear. Here's the video that hooks everyone, and everything you need to begin.
Space neededA yard, driveway or shop
First projectA mushroom, carved by hand
Skill levelHand tools first, then training
Good forOutdoor work, yard art
The video that hooks everyone
Carving a life-size wooden bear with a chainsaw
A life-size bear carved from wood with a chainsaw, standing on its own carved base beside the carver. Press play and see why it hooks people.
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Tool list
What you need to start
Everything you need for your first project, and nothing you don't.
Starter kit
01A short logPine, cedar or basswood, about 6 to 8 in. across and 10 to 12 in. long.
02Pruning sawA hand saw that cuts fast on green wood.
03Wooden malletDrives the chisel and gouge.
04Chisel, about 1 in.Splits away waste wood in chunks.
05Gouge, about 1 in.A curved chisel for rounding and hollows.
06Wood raspSmooths and rounds the cap.
07Two clamps or a viseHold the log still on a sturdy bench.
08Safety glasses + work glovesChips fly when you split wood.
09End sealer or wipe-on oilSlows cracking and finishes the carving.
The manual tells you what to look for when you buy each one.
- 1Starting with a chainsawLearn how shapes come out of a log with hand tools on a small log first. A chainsaw needs training and full protective gear.
- 2Carving aloneNever run a chainsaw with nobody else around. Have someone nearby who can help and call for help.
- 3A log that can moveClamp, wedge or strap every log so it can't roll or tip. A moving log ruins cuts and causes accidents.
