A Craft Rooted in Bohemian History
Woodcarving has been part of Czech culture for centuries. In the Bohemian Forest and the Krkonoše mountains, entire villages once depended on wood crafts for their livelihoods — producing everything from religious figures and decorative panels to household utensils and toys. Many of these traditions survived industrialisation and are now experiencing a quiet but genuine revival.
Today, you do not need a dedicated workshop or years of training to get started. A handful of quality tools, a suitable piece of wood, and a few hours of focused practice are enough to produce your first carved piece. This guide walks you through the essentials.
Choosing Your First Tools
The most common mistake beginners make is buying too many tools at once. For your first projects, you need only three or four items:
- A bench knife — the most versatile carving tool, used for shaping, detailing, and finishing. Look for a blade length of around 4–5 cm.
- A straight gouge (No. 5 or No. 7) — for scooping out material and creating curved surfaces.
- A V-tool (parting tool) — excellent for outlining designs and cutting fine lines.
- A mallet — if you plan to work with harder woods or larger gouges.
Czech craft shops in Prague and Brno stock tools from reputable European brands. The Pfeil brand from Switzerland is widely trusted by Czech carvers and is available at several specialist retailers in Prague's Žižkov and Vinohrady districts.
Sharp tools are safe tools. A dull blade requires more force and is far more likely to slip. Invest in a good sharpening stone from the start.
Selecting the Right Wood
Wood choice matters enormously for beginners. Soft, close-grained woods are far more forgiving and allow you to focus on technique rather than fighting the material.
Recommended woods for beginners
- Linden (Tilia) — Lípa in Czech: The traditional choice for Czech folk carving. Soft, consistent grain, easy to carve in any direction. Widely available at Czech timber yards.
- Basswood: Similar properties to linden, often sold in pre-cut blocks at craft shops.
- Butternut: Slightly harder than linden but still very workable. Produces a beautiful warm finish.
Woods to avoid initially
- Oak: Very hard and demanding. Reserve for when you have developed solid technique.
- Pine: Resinous and prone to splitting along the grain. Frustrating for detailed work.
You can buy linden carving blanks from specialist Czech suppliers or ask at any larger timber merchant. Pre-dried blanks are preferable — green wood moves significantly as it dries and can crack your finished piece.
Your First Project: A Simple Relief Panel
Relief carving — where the design stands out from a flat background — is an ideal starting point. It requires less material removal than full three-dimensional carving and gives you immediate, visible results.
A simple geometric pattern or a stylised leaf motif works well for a first attempt. Transfer your design onto the wood with a pencil, then follow these steps:
- Use the V-tool to outline the main shapes, cutting to a depth of about 3–4 mm.
- With the bench knife, begin removing material from the background, working away from your outlines.
- Use the gouge to smooth and shape the raised elements of your design.
- Refine edges and add detail with the bench knife.
- Sand lightly with 180-grit paper if desired, then apply a natural oil finish — linseed oil is traditional in Czech woodworking.
Where to Learn in the Czech Republic
If you prefer structured tuition, several Czech institutions offer woodcarving courses for beginners:
- Střední uměleckoprůmyslová škola Uherské Hradiště — one of the country's leading craft schools, offering summer courses open to adults.
- Muzeum dřevěných hraček, Polička — the Wooden Toy Museum in Polička runs occasional workshops on traditional toy carving.
- Prague maker spaces — several co-working and maker spaces in Prague, including Manifesto Market's craft events, host woodworking workshops throughout the year.
The Ústředí lidové umělecké výroby (ULUV) — the Centre for Folk Art Production — is an excellent resource for finding certified Czech craft instructors and traditional techniques.
Caring for Your Tools
Czech carvers are meticulous about tool maintenance, and for good reason. A well-maintained set of chisels and gouges will last decades. After each session:
- Wipe blades clean with a dry cloth.
- Apply a thin coat of camellia oil or mineral oil to prevent rust.
- Store tools in a roll or wooden block — never loose in a drawer where edges can knock together.
- Sharpen regularly on a whetstone, finishing on a leather strop.
Many Czech carvers keep a dedicated sharpening station set up permanently — it removes the friction of getting started and makes it easy to touch up an edge mid-session.
Final Thoughts
Woodcarving rewards patience and consistency. Your first pieces will be imperfect — that is entirely normal and part of the process. The Czech tradition of woodcraft was built on exactly this kind of patient, incremental skill-building, often passed down within families over generations.
Start small, keep your tools sharp, and do not rush. The satisfaction of completing even a simple carved piece is considerable, and the skills you develop will compound quickly with practice.