Questions and looking for help with woodworking project

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Erika Mennella

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Jan 23, 2026, 7:46:06 PM (12 days ago) Jan 23
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Hello,

I was looking for help with a woodworking project, and needed a space to work on it since I don't have space at home or tools available to work on it. I want to carve a tanto as a gift for my father since he started aikido with me couple months ago. I have left over piece of white oak i wanted to cut down near the size 1”x1”1/2”x12”. Might get couple pieces out of it. But i was wondering what tools are available to help cut, or carve out the shape. I know i have to bring my own materials. Is there rasps, and files available in the workshop? Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Erika

Eric Ose

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Jan 23, 2026, 8:13:10 PM (12 days ago) Jan 23
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Erika,
When I added the list of tools to the wiki wood shop page I focused on the powered tools. 


I don't know much about hand tools anyway so I'm not sure what you would need. There are some files, but no idea if they are ideal.

Eric Ose
Robot Ambassador

Sometimes cool things just happen, but usually you have to plan them.

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James F Kehoe

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Jan 24, 2026, 1:41:34 AM (12 days ago) Jan 24
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Erika, 

I do a fair amount of whittling from 1"x1"x4" blanks. I recently played around with using oak and it is not easy to work with hand tools.  I would suggest a simple pattern and using a saw to start (probably a coping saw).  There are also chisels in the shop that would be helpful, but I don't know how sharp they are.  After that I would go to a dremel tool to remove material, which HSL has also.  If you can give me an idea of what you are trying to carve I might be able to save you some time. 

James

Moheeb Zara

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Jan 27, 2026, 4:50:06 AM (9 days ago) Jan 27
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I have an obscene amount of seasoned mesquite wood if anyone would like some. 

James F Kehoe

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Jan 27, 2026, 5:21:25 AM (9 days ago) Jan 27
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Please define obscene. A picture would be helpful.

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Erika Mennella

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Jan 29, 2026, 12:39:59 PM (7 days ago) Jan 29
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IMG_1012.jpeg
I drew a sketch and photo what I want to carve. Basically using one tanto i have as a template, and another picture of the wood I wanted to use.Tanto example.jpg

James F Kehoe

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Jan 29, 2026, 7:38:13 PM (6 days ago) Jan 29
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I'd recommend using the bandsaw to rough out as much as possible.  There are chisels and rasps in the lab that could help.  I haven't checked how sharp the chisels are. 

I must reiterate I am not a woodworker. But if I were doing this I'd make a drawing on a computer, print it and glue it to the wood to help aid cutting.  I'd then 3d print some templates to check the shape as you refine it down.  I would suggest practicing on piece of pine to figure out how you are going to do it. 

  

Andrew Crawford

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Jan 30, 2026, 12:08:52 AM (6 days ago) Jan 30
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Fun project! I hope you will share photos when you are done.

Here is a 3D model of a practice tanto that might be of use if you want to rough it out on a CNC machine:

https://www.printables.com/model/894131-aikido-tanto-training-knife

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Andrew Crawford
EvermoreStud.io

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