HOW TO CARVE A HAWAIIAN CANOE MODEL: A step-by-step guide.

I am often asked how I carve my canoe models.

Well, let's start with the beginning...

Thirty-five years ago, I thought that a DREMEL, that famous electrical rotary tool, would do the trick. It worked... albeit very slowly, spending more time changing the 1/2-inch drum sander, and if sanding over a gnarl or burl in the piece of koa, the sanding drum would leave burn marks and smoke. I use koa wood of course, for all my Hawaiian canoe models.

Honestly, the DREMEL is a very handy tool for small jobs, but certainly not to carve out a 36-inch-long canoe hull.

The next-best tool is the FOREDOM, the "heavy-duty Dremel"!

It is an expensive tool, but it is worth the money. Powered by a 1/6 HP motor turning at 18,000 rpm, a long flex shaft ending with an interchangeable handpiece that comes with 3/32" and 1/8" collets.

Now, if someone wants to carve a little canoe for their children or grandchildren, the Dremel is certainly what you need.

For my part, I use a router for anything bigger than 12 inches, and the Foredom to finish some parts of the hull.

To be continued.