Wood Carving Has Always Been My Hobby: Inside the Creation Process with Yevhen

Interview with Yevhen,
Product Manager at BeaverCraft

To truly appreciate the craftsmanship behind our wood carving tools, it's essential to understand the people who create them. We recently sat down with our product manager, Yevhen, to gain insight into his journey and the passion driving his work.

In this engaging conversation, Yevhen reveals how he entered the field, what aspects of product design are most important to him, the product he's most proud of, and his vision for future innovations.

Discover the story behind the tools and the dedicated professional shaping their evolution.

Katherine: Welcome, Yevhen! It's great to have you here. To start, could you give our readers a brief introduction about yourself and your role at BeaverCraft?

Yevhen: Hi there! I'm Yevhen, and I'm the product manager at BeaverCraft. My journey began with a deep passion for woodworking and product design. I've been fortunate to combine these interests into my role here, where I focus on designing and refining tools that help woodcarvers of all skill levels.

Katherine: How did you first get involved in wood carving? What drew you to this craft?

Yevhen: I actually got introduced to marquetry when I was around six years old—it's the art of making pictures using veneer. Later on, as a teenager, I became interested in wood turning and carving naturally followed as an extension of that hobby. It's been part of my life ever since.

Katherine: Do you still carve? If so, what kind of projects do you enjoy working on?

Yevhen: Yes, I still carve whenever I get the chance! Sometimes, I carve by hand, and other times, I'll design something and run it through a CNC machine. It really depends on the project, the inspiration, and how much time I have. It can range from tea boards crafted for ceremonies to small decorative figures made just for fun during blackouts here in Ukraine (as you might guess, given the current situation) or even custom coffee tables for friends looking for something truly one-of-a-kind.

Katherine: Can you describe your role and responsibilities as a product manager at BeaverCraft?

Yevhen: My main responsibilities include developing and testing new products, working closely with craftsmen, ensuring quality control, and creating content about our new tools. I also help add products to our catalog and update the website. It's a full process from idea to final product, making sure everything meets our standards before reaching our customers.

Katherine: How would you describe your design philosophy? What key principles guide your work?

Yevhen: My design philosophy is pretty simple: if you do things right, the outcome will be good. It's about focusing on quality.

Katherine: Could you share a project or design that you're particularly proud of?

Yevhen: One project I'm really proud of is our HGK1_Art knife, which we launched this year. We spent a lot of time perfecting the sheath design, and the knife itself turned out to be really versatile and easy to use. It's a simple design, but it works beautifully.

Katherine: How does your experience with wood carving influence the way you design tools?

Yevhen: My hands-on experience helps me understand the practical needs of carvers. I know the different types of wood people work with and what kind of technical characteristics a tool needs to be effective. It's not just about making a tool that works—it's about creating something that meets the real-world needs of carvers.

Katherine: What are the key elements you focus on when creating a new tool for wood carving?

Yevhen: When designing a new tool, I follow Vitruvius' principles of «strength,» «utility,» and «beauty.» The tool needs to be durable, functional, and visually appealing. After that, we fine-tune the design to make sure it fits the market and the price point.

Katherine: What challenges do you face in designing tools that cater to beginners and experienced woodcarvers?

Yevhen: The biggest challenge is keeping the price reasonable without sacrificing quality. After that, it's about developing tools that are versatile enough for a wide range of users—whether they have small hands, large hands, or varying levels of experience.

Katherine: How do you balance tradition and innovation in your tool designs? Are there any new trends in wood carving that influence your work?

Yevhen: It's tough to come up with something completely new in wood carving tools since there are many carving styles. You usually only need around 10-20 tools to cover most types of carving. But for specialized projects, sometimes custom tools are necessary. In terms of trends, I'm seeing more people combining traditional carving techniques with modern furniture and décor, which is really inspiring.

Katherine: What are you most excited about in the future of wood carving tool design? Any upcoming projects or ideas in the works?

Yevhen: I'm excited about scaling up. It's easy to develop one-off products, but mass-producing them while keeping quality high and prices fair is the real challenge. We have a lot of ideas and projects in the works—it's just a matter of time before they come to life.

Katherine: What advice would you give to someone just starting out with crafting, especially in wood carving?

Yevhen: First and foremost, always read the safety instructions. It's better to learn from the manual than from mistakes. And please, don't give up. Stick with your projects until they're finished, even if it takes a few tries to get it right.

Katherine: What exciting projects or goals do you have for the future at BeaverCraft?

Yevhen: We're working on a line of tools with more advanced designs and improved steel, making the carving process smoother and more enjoyable. There's a lot in the pipeline—we're just getting started.

Katherine: That sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing your insights, Yevhen. For those inspired by Yevhen's work, don't miss out on his top picks and BeaverCraft's bestsellers—explore the collection and find your next favorite tool!

Interviewer:

Katherine Pope

Wood carving and outdoor enthusiast, content creator


Passionate about wood carving and the great outdoors, I’m always up for an adventure—whether it’s a hike, a camping trip, or a DIY project. When I'm not exploring, I craft content for our wood carving community and share the stories of fellow enthusiasts.