- Raw wood available in the form of logs is cut into planks
of desired thickness and length.
- The piece of wood is then seasoned to obtain a texture
which is favorable for carving.
- Decorative patterns are first drawn on the wood with a
pencil.
- The design is then carved into the wood with a carving
tool.
- Craftsmen inlay the wooden handicraft with metal, bone,
or wood which gives off a contrast effect, enhancing the intricacies
of the carved design.
- Different pieces of carved wood are joined together to
make complete, functional objects.
- A protective coating is applied with a suitable wood finish.
Production Time
Wood carving is a time consuming process. The time needed by Indian craftsmen to create carved wooden handicrafts may range anywhere from a week (for small items) to a few months (for large items which require elaborate carving techniques).
Production Tools
Indian craftsmen have a wide range of tools at their disposal, depending on the stage of production. Some of them are as follows :
- Saws : Powered by an electric motor, Band saws
are used to cut off scrap wood effortlessly. Chain saws are
used to cut logs for large carvings.
- Drills are primarily used to drill holes, and they are
available with several attachments to perform sanding, sawing,
mixing paint etc.
- Lathes are used to turn wood. They are used to make
spherical, cylindrical or round objects. They are handy while making
vases, bowls, and plates.
- Primarily used for whittling and chip carving, Carving knives
are also used to make the surface of the wood smooth.
- Wood-carving chisels have a sharp flat edge which is used
to cut into the wood. They are available in bent, straight, and
spoon shapes.
- U-gouges have curved cutting edges which form a 'u'
shape, hence the name. Craftsmen use them to remove large pieces of
unwanted wood, to define large shapes, and to round out the edges.
- Also known as parting tools, V-gouges are used to cut
fine lines. They are used for outlining while carving intricate
patterns.
