1st whittling project

I'd love to post pics of my first project. Got a time machine handy? It was gone long before digital cameras or the internet. Yes, I am a geezer. :D
 
This was my first
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, finished it just last week but its of the rectangular variety. After seeing yours im deff trying one in a cube that thing is sweet!
 
Thanks. No sanding, just a sharp knife.
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Sharp knife and some patience :)

I'd love to post pics of my first project. Got a time machine handy? It was gone long before digital cameras or the internet. Yes, I am a geezer.
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Ha. It's the old timers who get us into these hobbies. I am just trying to keep up :D
 
T. Erdelyi
I am amazed to see how smooth these spheres are as well. Did you happen to sand these?

I am thinking of sanding mine to get it a little more even.
 
12Bravo said:
T. Erdelyi
I am amazed to see how smooth these spheres are as well. Did you happen to sand these?

I am thinking of sanding mine to get it a little more even.
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I used two knives to do this one, a Case Seahorse Whittler, and an SAK, ( I forget which model but it did have a file)

I did use the file to knock off some high spots but I used a small pen blade that was shavin' sharp and just kept shavin' the high spots off until ya couldn't notice a difference.

Two things, Basswood is the best stuff in the world to carve, so use it while practicin', it don't run, split, have knots or any of the challenges you'd find carvin' wood ya might find in your yard.

Oh and the other thing is harsh lighting when takin' pics will wash out light reflective objects, makin' 'em seem smoother than it really is, if ya look closely ya can still see deep gouges and flat spots on the balls where I took off too much while carvin' the balls.

Hey it was a learnin' piece and took a total of 28 hours over the course of many months durin' lunch at work and later while watchin' TV with my wife.
 
I have been looking at the seahorse whittler. That is one handsome knife.

I've shearced around and all seem to be on back order now.

That would be a nice knife in CV steel.

The cube took me all in all about a week, not sure how many hours, but I basically did the same thing, whittled while watching T.V.
 
How did you contain the shavings? I want to get into whittling, but every time I do I wind up covered in shavings and dust. I've tried setting some towles down on my lap and stomach, but that doesn't work too well.

Obviously working at the table would be a good idea, but I can't see very well and wanted to be able to get the porject right up to my face.

Any advice from you guys?

Also, how is Douglas Fur for whittling? I have a 2x4 out in the garage just sitting around...
 
Very cool. I've whittled some knives, guns and basic figures but haven't tried a ball in a cage or a chain. I have a chunk of Alaskan Yeller cedar and wonder if that will work?
 
Awesome! I like seeing all these ball-in-cage carvings lately. I'll have to do another one soon. It's a great feeling when you carve something with moving parts.
 
KennyB said:
How did you contain the shavings? I want to get into whittling, but every time I do I wind up covered in shavings and dust. I've tried setting some towles down on my lap and stomach, but that doesn't work too well.

Obviously working at the table would be a good idea, but I can't see very well and wanted to be able to get the porject right up to my face.

Any advice from you guys?

Also, how is Douglas Fur for whittling? I have a 2x4 out in the garage just sitting around...
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Blow a couple of bucks at the dollar store for a plastic dish pan and whittle over it. You'll still get covered with shavings and dust, but it will at least look like you're trying. :D

Anything will work for whittling if you have enough patience and skill, but hard woods and woods with a very pronounced grain (like much construction grade lumber) can be frustratingly easy to split. They require a very sharp knife, thin blades, a steady hand and a light touch to succeed, and most beginners don't have all those things in abundance.:D
 
12Bravo said:
I have been really getting into traditional knives lately. I love the functionality and beauty of traditional knives. After seeing a few threads on whittling I have been wanting to have a go at it.

Here is my first attempt.

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Very nice! I'm inspired to finally give it a go. I'll be picking up some basswood on my next trip to the big city.


JohnnyR said:
These are my only attempts so far.

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I never dreamed I'd ever say this to another man, but nice balls! :thumbup:


Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
How did you contain the shavings?
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I work a a corrugated box plant....so I just made myself a decent tray to catch all the shavings. But any old corrugated box will do.

I never dreamed I'd ever say this to another man, but nice balls!
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Notice I've been saying spheres ;)
 
Did a quick drawing of what I'd like to carve next.

CAGEDBALLANDCHAIN-1.jpg


I think I might be a little ambitious :D
 
12Bravo said:
I'll just carve one a split it into 3! :D
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Won't work - mobius strips do strange things when split. You should make yourself one out of paper wide enough to cut into thirds and see what happens. :D It might be a fun thing to do with a solid mobius strip as an object for people to try to figure out - just the first full 1/3 width cut would make an interesting object - or should I say pair of objects (if you just cut it in half, you'd still only have one object).

A nice large trefoil knot would be neat too.
 
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