None of liS in the woodworking centre would claim to be carvers and my own experience is limited to two and a half rocking horscs mainly made llsing an arobtec and powcr file. The half represents a half finished project which must be completed for Christmas. However, as we stock a range of carving tools and timbers we are frequently asked, especially by beginners what tools they should buy and how to sharpen them. With this in mind I have been searching for some time for a book =~that covers this and I believe that this recent addition to GMC's library meets this criteria. The book is an American publication but that represents no problem as tools and techniques are common both sides of the pone!. However, the same cannot be said for machining publications! This book addresses what every woodcarver needs, sharp tools, be it European-style carving knives or carving tools, organising your carving area and other equipment necessary to practice this hobby. It is 110t intended to be a proper manual, although it does cover the manufacture of many simple holding devices, but is a very Illuch 'how 10 keep tools razor sharp etc' publication. Other items covered are glues, clamps finishing of projects, workshop organization and much more. Colour photographs are excellent and now having read the book I certainly am bener informed on tools, equipment required and how to use them. I know from personal experience how mallY Woodturners become disillusioned because no one has taught them how to sharpen tools correctly ancl I suspect the same can be said of woodcarvers. A book I would recommend to anyone setting out all this fascinating hobby and at this time of the year a great Christmas present. Mike Sandells A WOODCARVER'S GUIDE TO SHARPENING TOOLS AND SETTING UP SHOP, from the editors of Woodcarving Illustrated magazine, is a collection of articles to help woodcarvers set up their workshop, keep their tools sharp and organized, and make efficient use of their space. It offers tips and techniques from carvers Roger Schroeder, Lora Irish, Jack Kochan and others. There's a projects section for making a tool holder, dust collectors, and carving benches and stands. For beginners, there's a chapter setting up a workshop on a budget. Carving tools, from knifes to mallets, and finishing techniques are also covered. Usually when the editors of a highly respected magazine get together to publish a full book on a subject you can be sure that every detail will be covered. This certainly holds true in this book from Woodcarving Illustrated. Nothing has been left out. The authors even cover painting and what types to use and when your carving project is complete there is a section on how to photograph it. Carving with dull tools can be both dangerous and tedious. Correct methods of sharpening those odd-shaped carving tools are covered at length. The book also covers dust management, tool selection, carving jigs and a myriad of other carving related topics that will prove to be an asset to all carvers. Keep this one close to your carving bench it is the perfect carver's reference book. This fantastic book covers useful techniques on setting up a workshop with the woodcarver in mind, focusing on essentials such as safety, making your own worKbench and vices, dust extraction, using adhesives, and the low-down on abrasives. From here we move on to a comprehensive guide on the tools every carver needs from gouges, knives, files, drawknives and mallets. Plus there is a useful section on making depth guides for relief carving, and even how carving tools. And to round things off nicely, we are treated to sharpening and finishing methods, plus a basic look at how best to photograph your work. This is a great book to introduce the beginner to everything they need to know about carving. This is a fantastic look at setting up a workshop with the woodcarver in mind.