Study Sticks for WoodCarving, Propel your skill!

As I got in to carving, I heard study sticks mentioned in videos or in groups on Facebook or reddit. But getting my hands on one, seemed to be a real issue. In this video I go over several ones available now, ones available soon(?), and what differences there are between them.

Study sticks are to carving what cliff's notes are to Collegiate level learning. They give you a visual representation of the thing you're going to carve, thus allowing more tactile learners to get their hands on the subject matter to see the depth, curvature and intricate details that they'll be carving.

Sources mentioned in the video are below.

[FacesintheStone]

This is incredible, I do archaeology, and an activism kind of way, And I have a huge indigenous totem pole that I want to accentuate. Guess what it has on it already, faces and stuff of course! You’re carrying on an ancient addition, my friend, I think it’s beautiful! New sub here

[JohnJude-dped]

I'm doing a cheap method.As a wood worker I've found how expensive great tools are and junk tools often discourage the craft.
I got into Blacksmith hobbyist and after 4 years of a great craft now I'm getting set up to build my own carving tools and believe I'll be comparing my cravings tools to tools that more often selling for 5X the cost so if I spend $100.00 for my own tools they are replacing $500.00 for tools if I go buy them and tools can be even more expensive. I'm certain my own tools will fit my medium/large hands.
If you buy 20 tools you'll probably find several that don't feel great in your hands. If I build 20 tools and my own handles I can change or remount new handles if I decide.
You are making good sense and thanks Johnny

[dywoodcarving]

I learned how to carve woodspirits from that study stick and book. A fantastic resource!

[GuntersGarage]

Great tips, thanks for the info. Definitely something Im going to look into.

[kjirstenboucher]

Great information. Thanks for sharing!😊
I also will just pick up figurines or toys and use them as a 3D model for what I want to try to carve.

[mikereed]

Thanks! I have been looking at these for a while. I found the practice stick exercise in Jack Price's book very helpful. I like being able to reference it, like you mentioned your buddy doing in your other comment here.

[mark.a.cornish]

Are there any benefits to making your own study sticks from book tutorials or video`s? Or is it the fact that once you have enough skill to make the study stick, you no longer need it? I can see it being good practice and a quick reminder for how to go about process, kind of like carving notes in a visual form.

[kevinoplinger]

Would this require more diverse tool collection?

[KieranRyan]

Excellent ordered what I could from Harold but not any oh his sticks could be delivered to Ireland. Picked up a few workbooks though, thanks for the suggestion