My Early Woodcarving

[cabinetman]

Going through some boxes, dug out some early woodcarving pieces that I did piddling around when I had the time and my fingers and hands worked better than they do now. Here's one I really like.
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[shoottx]

Very Cool


I really think that is a neat skill to have. The artistry of carveing is a challenge well beyond my abilities.

[Uncle Cracker]

Tried it once, and that's when I discovered I'm all thumbs... (and left thumbs, at that...)

[lrogers]

Wow, C-man that is awesome!

[Ed62]

That's a nice piece of work. I tried it once, carving a Santa. It wasn't too bad for a first attempt. Not long after that, I wound up with carpal tunnel syndrome. End of story.

Ed

[RayintheUK]

That's very cool, Mike. What's the wood/dimensions?

Ray.

[cabinetman]

That's very cool, Mike. What's the wood/dimensions?

Ray.

Thanks for the comment. It's just clear pine, 3/4" thick, 12" wide, 18" high.
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[Uncle Hook]

WOW! That is really really nice work. How many hours of work are in that carving?

Relief Carving is on my list of things to try. I just bought this Pfeil carving tool starter set from Woodcraft on closeout.

http://www.woodcraft.com/product.asp...oductid=148598.

I will be happy if my first carving is half as good as yours.

[cabinetman]

WOW! That is really really nice work. How many hours of work are in that carving?

Relief Carving is on my list of things to try. I just bought this Pfeil carving tool starter set from Woodcraft on closeout.

http://www.woodcraft.com/product.asp...oductid=148598.

I will be happy if my first carving is half as good as yours.

The set you bought is much better than what I used to do that carving. I might suggest a carving glove like this one
as carving tools can also carve your hand. As for time involved, I don't really remember, as it occurred over several days an hour or two at a time. Maybe for or five hours. I wasn't in a rush.

If you have some questions, I'll try and be of help.
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[SARGE..g-47]

Very nicely done... I would love to be able to carve but I can't even draw a straight line... much less let one flow into a layout.

[gsmittle]

Tried it once, and that's when I discovered I'm all thumbs... (and left thumbs, at that...)

I'm all right thumbs, so we cancel out...

g.

[cabinetman]

Tried it once, and that's when I discovered I'm all thumbs... (and left thumbs, at that...)

I'm all right thumbs, so we cancel out...
g.

The trick is to use more than just your thumbs.
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[Stytooner]

That looks very cool. Pine is especially difficult to carve I would think. Don't most carver's use Basswood and perhaps walnut? Both hardwoods, but relatively soft and have an even grain consistency.
I have whittled on pine quite a bit and the dark grain can sometimes be pretty dang hard.

[cabinetman]

That looks very cool. Pine is especially difficult to carve I would think. Don't most carver's use Basswood and perhaps walnut? Both hardwoods, but relatively soft and have an even grain consistency.
I have whittled on pine quite a bit and the dark grain can sometimes be pretty dang hard.

Pine's not bad with very sharp tools. Softwoods like Basswood can be more difficult as the wood wants to crush. There again, sharpness is key. I've got a few more in pine, and several in would you believe... Balsa wood. Now that is soft stuff. I'll post them as soon as I take some pics.
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[chopnhack]

Thats real nice c-man. Very patriotic, trim to size or make irregular and mount it in the home somewhere or in the shop. Its a nicely done piece.