
Re: To 'V' or not to 'V'?
The quick and easy answer is that the 'V' is completely unnecessary. That wood will be removed later by the aisuki as the very final stage of the cutting sequence. And when you think about it, you are actually
doubling your carving time by making the 'v' cut ...
When I was doing my early experiments in this printmaking (while living in Canada) I usually did it with a 'v' (not knowing any better), but by the time I got to the stage where I was spending many hours each day at a block, I realized that this step wasn't needed. And later, when I saw more experienced craftsmen working, I saw that they too didn't use a 'v' either.
There are a few times when it is used:
- when you are in 'close quarters' and it wouldn't be so safe to start bringing in clearing chisels later
- when cutting hair, etc. where of course the 'v' is inescapable
- when making 'sute-bori' ('toss-out' cuts), in order to relieve pressure before making the 'master' cut, in those cases when your wrist angle doesn't let you get the flat side of the knife against the wood.
(Man, I have
so much material for that next 'specialist' book on carving ... But don't know when I'll be able to get started ... Maybe I should take advance orders;
that would put some pressure on to get started!
