A collage of a chip carved coaster and a photo of the Woodcraft store (outside) in San Carlos.

Chip Carving Demonstration at Woodcraft, February 2026

Valentine’s Day brought more than roses to Woodcraft in San Carlos this year (2026). The SCVC Woodcarving Club gave a chip carving demo, inviting shoppers and fellow carvers to celebrate the art of carving with a heart-themed celebration.

A Warm Welcome

The demo began with Debbie Mize introducing our woodcarving club and describing how the club now meets weekly for workshops, public events, and community projects. Her brief history gave newcomers a clear picture of who we are and why we love woodcarving.

A logo of the SCVC woodcarving club, a woodpecker on the tree.

Knives, Chips, and Styles

Roman Chernikov and Debbie Mize gave a chip carving demo at Woodcraft, 2026

Roman Chernikov followed by showing his trusted chip carving knives. He explained the essential angles, handle grips, and the difference between a traditional “old-world” chip carving approach and a more contemporary style that uses different knives to achieve the same result. A quick chip carving demo on a practice board illustrated both techniques, and the audience could see how a single piece of wood could be decorated with just a few precise cuts.

Hands-On Chip Carving Time

After the demonstration, the real fun began. Roman laid out a practice board and invited attendees to try their hand at chip carving. Under his watchful eye, beginners carved their first chips and left with a fresh appreciation for the blade’s rhythm. The room buzzed with questions about knife sharpening, wood selection, and the best way to finish a piece. Debbie and Roman, drawing on decades of experience, answered each query with patience and a dash of humor.

Roman Chernikov guides three woodworkers in learning chip carving during a chip carving demonstration at Woodcraft in February 2026.

Thanks to Woodcraft

The "Woodcraft" sign on the building in San Carlos. The address is 40 El Camino Real, San Carlos, CA 94070

A special thank you goes to the Woodcraft staff, who not only provided the space and tables but also handed out the Santa Clara Valley Carvers club flyers to curious shoppers. Their support turned a simple demo into a community gathering, and we’re grateful for the partnership.

We’re also thankful to the Woodcraft owners for their generous gift card donation, which enabled the club to add two high-quality chip carving knives to our shared tool collection. Those blades are already sharpened and ready for our next chip carving workshop later this year.

Two chip carving knives: large and small. Made by Pfeil.

Looking Ahead

A simple heart whittled from basswood. It has the "woodcarving" word and the link to the club's website engraved with a laser.

The enthusiasm we saw on Valentine’s Day tells us one thing: the love for chip carving is alive and well in our corner of the Bay Area. We’re already planning the next demo at Woodcraft and can’t wait to bring more carving stories, tools, and hands-on moments to the store.

If you missed this chip carving demo, keep an eye on our calendar; there’s always another chance to pick up a chisel, carve a chip, and join the conversation. Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Happy carving!

Find an article from 2025 about our previous Chip Carving Demonstration at Woodcraft in San Carlos.

Six chip carved coasters.

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