The final technique is potentially the most challenging and will probably require more practice than others. However, if you are to work efficiently you will certainly need to be able to use both hands with equal confidence.

The photographs show how to work with both hands when carving a barley twist, but the same method should be applied to any project.

In this instance the fist position is being used and the chisel is gripped with the left hand to carve to the left hand side of the bench and vice-versa for the right.

Mastering the technique of using both hands without having to think about it enables you to remain centrally located in front of your work and avoids the need for you to lean over then bench or to reposition the carving a regular intervals.