Most Asked Questions...

Q. What type of wood do you use?

A. Our preference is cedar -- western red cedar has the most outstanding color, but yellow cedar and white cedar are also fine woods. Juniper, black walnut, English walnut, and a number of pine and spruce species carve well. Catalpa is another specialty wood from our area (southeastern Washington state), with an appearance similar to black walnut but with a more prominent grain. Although cottonwood is popular with many carvers particularly in the midwest where cedars etc. are not readily available, we don't use it often.

Q. Do your carvings ever crack?

We guarantee they will crack. Precautions to minimize cracking are taken but it is the nature of wood to move and movement causes cracking.

Q. How long does it take to create a carving?

A. Times can vary from fifteen minutes up to a month or more, depending on inspiration, size, and amount of detail of the piece. On average, it takes about three to four days to complete a three-to-four foot piece from start to finish. This includes selecting the wood, blocking the piece, rough carving, detailing, and finishing.

Q. Is that all really done with a chainsaw?

A. No. There are very few pure chainsaw carvers today; most use electric sanders, angle grinders, dye grinders, chisels, and other tools to produce sculptures that are true works of art. Most of our work is done with chainsaws, which may be outfitted with bars ranging from six inches to four feet in length.

Q. Do you use a special kind of saw?

A. We use normal, off-the-shelf chainsaws, available at any home improvement or tool supply store; our personal preference is Stihl gas-powered saws (particularly the 180 Mini-Boss) for heavy work and Mikita electric saws for detail work. Some of the chains and bars we use are stock, and some are special order designed specifically for carving.

Q. Can I keep my carving outside? How long will it last if I do?

A. Yes, you can. It will maintain its beauty indefinitely if properly cared for.

Q. How should I care for my carving?

A. Most of our pieces are finished with marine spar varnish, which both seals the wood and provides protection from ultra-violet (UV) radiation, which is what causes the silver-gray weathered wood appearance. You should repeat this sealing process on an annual basis if your carving is exposed to sunlight or the elements. If kept indoors and out of sunlight, an occasional dusting is all that should be necessary.

Q. I am interested in a carving of something that I didn't see in your Gallery. Can you make a ________ for me?

A. Yes, only limited by your imagination. We love turning your vision into sculptural reality.

Q. I have a big tree in my yard that I want to have cut down. Can you come to my house and turn it into a work of art?

A. Yes, but with limitations. In most cases, you will need to have an arborist remove the bulk of the tree, down to a stump the approximate height of the finished sculpture. Also, because of the nature of the work and hazards such as flying wood chips, we require a damage waiver from the property owner. Take a look at our Before and After page for one example of stump art.

Q. How much does your work cost?

A. Prices vary, depending on a number of variables including size, detailing, and type of wood. We work with our customers to provide pieces that delight them and bring their vision to life within their budgetary constraints. We guarantee that all our work is of the highest quality and excellent value for the price.

Q. Do you let people come and watch you work?

A. Absolutely, we love it! You can catch us at special events and competitions (be sure to check our Now Playing page for upcoming activities).

Q. I've always wanted to do chainsaw carving. Can you teach me/where can I go to learn how?

A. Yes, we can teach people. We've worked with people in our local area but haven't set up a formal instructional program or apprenticeship. We can teach chainsaw safety, the basics of carving, and more advanced techniques, but a prospective carver really needs to have the vision for the art in their heart. Paul has produced one carving video, with more to come. Also see our Links page for some carving schools and resources.