We all know that chess set is the combination of both chess pieces and chessboard. Chess sets with extraordinary designs are made of different materials such as metals, plastic, wood, alabaster, glass, marble and stone. Stone chess sets are mainly made of alabaster and marble. Since the ban on elephant tusk, sellers now use camel bone to make bone chess pieces.

Plastic chess pieces are basically colorless because of the polymers found in them. Metal chess sets are made of alloys like zinc, tin, copper, bronze, brass, aluminum and pewter.

Wooden chess sets are in great demand among chess lovers, collectors and chess players . As they offer a huge variety to the buyers, Ebony and rosewood make the most luxury chess sets in the world.

 

These exotic woods are hardwoods and it is very rare. This is first and foremost reason why wooden chess pieces are very valuable and expensive in the market. Aspects such as skilled artisans, usage of finest quality materials and many other also drive up the prices of these exquisite chess sets. Know more why handmade wooden chess sets are expensive.

Things to keep in mind before you actually start carving –

1. Carving wooden chess sets require a high level of precision and focus.
2. The chess pieces begin life as shapeless blocks of hardwood. Very dense and consistent woods are used, so that meticulous chess pieces are carved out of it. So, you’ll be needing heavy tools and motor to spin the block to carve easily.
3. Chess pieces with extremely detailed displaying strands of hair, teeth, etc are costly because of the level of hard work and time put into them for carving out those extraordinary chess pieces.
4. Solid understanding on different types of woods used in a handmade chess set can help you make informed decisions about the appearance, quality, and overall experience of the set. Also it allows you to create or select a chess set that aligns with your preferences and intended purpose. So, make sure you must have a proper understanding on various types of woods before carving.

It’s really a work of art, so if you’re 100% sure then go for it. Best of luck.

Now, let’s dive into the theoretical aspect of how to carve a wooden chess set –

• Designing the chess pieces: The very first step is to choose a design for your chess piece. You can get a design online, from books or you can think of your own design. Second, you have to choose the wood, If you want a black carved piece you can use Ebony wood shown in the picture below:

• Carving the pieces on the wood lathe machine:  Take two different kinds of woods, one for darker side and other for the lighter side. You can also choose the same kind of wood for both the sides, the pieces then can be stained afterward. Now take the wooden block and mount it on the lathe.

• Start turning and press the cutting tool up to the turning piece of wood, to begin carving it.

• Doing the fine carving: Now this is the most challenging part of chess making process. Carve your chess pieces to perfection using special tools, knives, and your hand. Use your chess design and give those details to your chess pieces.

• Sanding and treating the chess pieces: It is very important to sand the chess pieces, in order to get the smooth and even surface. Chess pieces are then treated with a solution that helps the chess pieces to preserve.
• Final finishing and polishing: Final touches are made and chess pieces are polished to a high shine. Chessbazaar buff polishes the chess pieces to make the world’s best quality chess pieces.

*Tools Required: Pencil, Scratch paper, Wooden lathe, Different sandpaper grits. Begin carving your dream chess set or we at chessbazaar will be more than glad to make the chess set that you always wanted but could not find or it was way too expensive to buy one from some other seller. Know More

Do Check Out this amazing video on Luxury Wooden Handmade Chess Sets in Staunton Style & Chess Reproductions from chessbazaar: