Slöjd Key Fob from ‘Karvsnitt’

The following is one of the projects in Jögge Sundqvist’s book “Karvsnitt: Carving, Pattern & Color in the Slöjd Tradition”

Cutting patterns and symbols in wood, and enhancing them with vibrant color, are folk traditions kept alive in the slöjd craft. Through decorations imbued with meaning, chip carving has given soul to slöjd woodcraft throughout history. Even today, chip carving offers a natural complement to an artfully crafted spoon, cutting board or shrink box – and it provides the opportunity to develop your own creativity and meaningful patterns.

This book teaches you techniques for cutting triangle chips, fingernail cuts, lines and letters — plus you’ll learn what kind of wood, knives and tools you need to get started, and techniques for painting your finished work. You’ll find 15 projects, from simple decorations on knife handles and signs to more demanding objects such as boxes and combs.

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A good way to practice cutting patterns is to make a bunch of key fobs. The main purpose of a key fob is to indicate which lock the key is for. It should also be handy enough to fit in your pocket, but large enough to prevent the key from being lost. Some hotel key fobs are large and heavy so that the traveler won’t forget it in their pocket. The color and shape should be distinct, so that you don’t have to read the carved text every time you are looking for a key.

Level of difficulty: easy

Tools: Saw, axe, drawknife, sheath knife, fine-toothed Japanese saw, chip carving knife, drill 4mm (3/16″).

Material: Straight-grained birch, alder, willow or aspen. Metal wire or a small staple.

The blank should be 20-25cm (~8″) long. This makes it easier to quickly carve it smooth with a knife or in a shaving horse.

Choose the width and final length of your key fob. A standard size to start from is 6 x 30 x 80mm (1/4″ x 1-1/4″ x 3-1/8″).

METHOD
From straight-grained, knot-free material, split out a blank and thin it down to a thickness of about 5-6mm (~1/4″). Carve it smooth with a drawknife or a long sheath knife on both sides.

Start by making a few sketches that you are happy with. Keep in mind that the letters should not be too small, otherwise they will be difficult to cut. Between 12 and 15mm (1/2″-9/16″ )is a good place to start.

There are different ways to attach the key. You can drill a 4mm (3/16″) hole for a string or strap, or you can insert a 19mm (3/4″) long staple into two 1.5mm (~1/16″) holes drilled into the end-grain wood.

Draw the outer contours onto the blank and saw it out a little roughly. Carve the sides and chamfer all the edges. Cut any concave surfaces with a gouge, such as grooves and shallow relief carvings.

Draw the text and any decorations as carefully as you can. Strop your chip carving knife, find good lighting and start cutting your pattern using the chip carving techniques.

When you are happy with the pattern, you can paint your key ring; see the chapter on painting.