- Before metal was brought to the Native Americans by trading vessels, they used whatever was available to carve totem poles, including stone, antler, bone, shells and beaver teeth. The early adze cutting tool was made of flint stone and a handle that was made from a tree branch or bone, or was hand carved from wood.
- Today, initial cuts may be made with one or more different-sized chainsaws to remove large chunks of wood. Other power tools can be used to speed the carving process, including grinders with rotary and router bits, and sanders.
- Hand tools used today to carve totem poles range from saws to quality carving gouges and chisels that come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Calipers are used to ensure measurements are accurate. Hand saws -- including the carpenter saw, coping saw and bow/buck saw -- efficiently remove pieces of wood prior to using carving tools. A draw shave can be used to pare down wood. Large rasps, such as those used to file horse hooves, are useful for removing wood quickly from small totem poles. Mallets are used to drive gouges and chisels into the wood when carving. They are available in different weights; which weight you use depends on how strong you are and how much wood needs to be removed. Detail work may require a lighter mallet. The adze is a heavy, curved blade that comes equipped with a handle similar to that of a hammer or hatchet. It is also available in different widths and shapes to accomplish the necessary cuts. Carving knives and even pocket knives can be used for final details. Rasps and rifflers in various sizes work well to reach into tight spaces to remove and smooth the wood.
- Some carvers prefer to make their own tools, either in keeping with tradition or because they need a particular tool but can't purchase it. They forge their own tools, sometimes out of saw blades and car springs, like Tlingit totem-pole carver Tommy Josephs. They shape the wooden or bone handles to fit their hands, which makes the tools easier to use.
previous post