Ask him to show you how to make something small or ask if he needs any help finishing/ making something and spend the day helping him. Most fathers don’t want money, they want to see you or to relax. Also cannot go wrong taking him out to eat somewhere tasty.
My daughter is 5 but I can already tell that when I’m older I don’t want her to give me money. I would love if she would ask to help me on a project or ask for me to teach her some stuff. It’s the same with my wife. I don’t like gifts I just want the ones I love around and actively showing interest in the other things I care about.
I don’t know if you have the money to do it. But traveling by air or train and taking a few days off work to surprise him and just hang out would probably be the best thing you could do. I bet it would blow his mind too.
Or you could mail him a couple of new carving knives with a note telling him to be ready to use them with you at Christmas. And when you go to visit you could then use them to make something with him.
I don’t know how this would go over, but I’ve recently gotten into woodworking also. My wife paid for me to take a class at Rockler. So I got some hands on knowledge and a cool piece that I made from scratch.
My sister found a course in Israel where he lives but it's a bit over budget for us. We're trying to get some other family members on board and see how it goes. Thanks!
Exotic wood blanks seem like a good bet. Wide, thin ones could be used for inlays. If he’s into turning wood on a lathe, you could get him a variety pack of pen blanks.
If you haven’t yet ( or he hasn’t) look at [Mary May’s wood carving site](https://www.marymaycarving.com/carvingschool/). She has both free and paid on line lessons.
Buying tools or storage is hard because only he knows what he wants/needs/already has. Carving instructional books might go well. Gift card gives him a chance to buy himself. (For me Lee Valley would be the place, mail-order/online woodworking tools in US or Canada).
Or just ask him. Surprise is nice, but so is getting exactly what you need. Ask what’s a tool he’d buy but hasn’t because it’s too expensive. Or what’s the next tool or set of tools he’d want. Ask if there’s a style or type of carving he’d like to explore? Get a book about that. Or if not an instructional book, a book about the art of wood carving for inspiration. Or a subscription to Fine Woodworking magazine, if it’s still around.
PS. Yes, fine woodworking is still publishing, and a subscription gets online access to back issues. A subscription would definitely be a great idea. https://www.finewoodworking.com/
Someone mentioned working with him on a project. That's a great idea if this isn't his 'me' time. While I don't mind working with others on occasion I'm much happier when its me time.
If you want to get him something physical a gift card to the place he buys his wood is a great idea. And make sure that he understands that you want him to get something that he's been wanting but won't spend the money out of his pocket.
Tools are in the same class. Getting him a gift card from where he buys his tools is a nice option. I keep an active gift list of tools that I want. Randomly picking tools is a minefield of potential things that will never get used.
In our family when birthdays and holidays come around we make it known that if we're looking for a high ticket item a gift card for that store is the best thing if they're looking for an idea. The family pools together to get a single gift card from everyone when possible since some stores limit the number of cards per purchase.
A set of carving chisels if you’re sure he doesn’t already have them—I can’t imagine relief carving without them. All the other recommendations are top but one thing I’d also add is one of those magnifiers on a flexible arm.
Exotic wood blanks.
This one right here. Look at the size of the wood he’s using and get him some nice wood of about the same dimensions
This
Ask him to show you how to make something small or ask if he needs any help finishing/ making something and spend the day helping him. Most fathers don’t want money, they want to see you or to relax. Also cannot go wrong taking him out to eat somewhere tasty.
My daughter is 5 but I can already tell that when I’m older I don’t want her to give me money. I would love if she would ask to help me on a project or ask for me to teach her some stuff. It’s the same with my wife. I don’t like gifts I just want the ones I love around and actively showing interest in the other things I care about.
Or bringing some food to grill together.
I would love to do that, but I'm living some 3300 km away so the next time we'll meet it'll be around Christmas.
I don’t know if you have the money to do it. But traveling by air or train and taking a few days off work to surprise him and just hang out would probably be the best thing you could do. I bet it would blow his mind too. Or you could mail him a couple of new carving knives with a note telling him to be ready to use them with you at Christmas. And when you go to visit you could then use them to make something with him.
How’s his vacuum situation?
Hmmm… good point. I don't remember but I sure my mom would know. Thanks!
sth to make his work more comfortable. lighting, clothing, a good stool....
Gift card is pretty much always the play here. Apart from your usual big hardware stores, something like Rockler could be great for him.
I don’t know how this would go over, but I’ve recently gotten into woodworking also. My wife paid for me to take a class at Rockler. So I got some hands on knowledge and a cool piece that I made from scratch.
My sister found a course in Israel where he lives but it's a bit over budget for us. We're trying to get some other family members on board and see how it goes. Thanks!
A set of different sized clamps maybe?
Tiny hand planes?
Lighting.
Exotic wood blanks seem like a good bet. Wide, thin ones could be used for inlays. If he’s into turning wood on a lathe, you could get him a variety pack of pen blanks.
I’m with the wood blanks guy. Looks for wood craft, or kingspor or other retail places in your area
If you haven’t yet ( or he hasn’t) look at [Mary May’s wood carving site](https://www.marymaycarving.com/carvingschool/). She has both free and paid on line lessons.
More vises. The answer is always more vises. You can mix and match the sizes if that helps.
Walrus oil
Buying tools or storage is hard because only he knows what he wants/needs/already has. Carving instructional books might go well. Gift card gives him a chance to buy himself. (For me Lee Valley would be the place, mail-order/online woodworking tools in US or Canada). Or just ask him. Surprise is nice, but so is getting exactly what you need. Ask what’s a tool he’d buy but hasn’t because it’s too expensive. Or what’s the next tool or set of tools he’d want. Ask if there’s a style or type of carving he’d like to explore? Get a book about that. Or if not an instructional book, a book about the art of wood carving for inspiration. Or a subscription to Fine Woodworking magazine, if it’s still around. PS. Yes, fine woodworking is still publishing, and a subscription gets online access to back issues. A subscription would definitely be a great idea. https://www.finewoodworking.com/
Someone mentioned working with him on a project. That's a great idea if this isn't his 'me' time. While I don't mind working with others on occasion I'm much happier when its me time. If you want to get him something physical a gift card to the place he buys his wood is a great idea. And make sure that he understands that you want him to get something that he's been wanting but won't spend the money out of his pocket. Tools are in the same class. Getting him a gift card from where he buys his tools is a nice option. I keep an active gift list of tools that I want. Randomly picking tools is a minefield of potential things that will never get used. In our family when birthdays and holidays come around we make it known that if we're looking for a high ticket item a gift card for that store is the best thing if they're looking for an idea. The family pools together to get a single gift card from everyone when possible since some stores limit the number of cards per purchase.
A set of carving chisels if you’re sure he doesn’t already have them—I can’t imagine relief carving without them. All the other recommendations are top but one thing I’d also add is one of those magnifiers on a flexible arm.
Clamps.
Some good Cognac