Wine Barrel Carving Process
Step Five - Carving Actually Begins!

You can barely see the carbon tracing of the pattern on the wood.  The first step of carving is to use the V tool.  The tool is named that because the blade is in the shape of a V so it cuts a fine groove. 

Because oak likes to splinter, a sharp V tool is carefully used to outline each aspect of the design.   The tool breaks the surface of the oak without weakening the fibers of the wood.  This helps keep the edges of the design strong and there is less chance of the oak splintering at the cut later.  

Above, you see my hand apparently cutting at a very odd angle.  My other hand was using a beech mallet to tap the chisel along it's path.  For the outline and heavy wood removal, I use the mallet to help the chisel carve.  For close work and details, hands, shoulders and back force the chisels through the wood.

To the right, the basic outline has been completed.  Note the label from which the design was created, laying on the barrel head.  

Step Six - Removing the background...

• Our Wine Barrel Carving Commissions Page will provide you with information on how to order your own Custom Wine Barrel Carving!
  

• To see some of Tom'sWine Barrel Carvings, visit Tom's Wine Barrel Carving Gallery!