Carving/Whittling Projects

Received a few Mora knives a couple of weeks ago (Classic 1 and a 106). Took my first stab at whittling. Well, I didn't stab anything, of course. Mostly used the 106 (pictured). Anyways, I'd been reading Moby-Dick recently and did this little guy:

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Nice looking projects from everyone here. My grandfather used to do alot of wood carving and I have a bunch of blocks that he cut into rough shapes with the bandsaw but never got any further with. This thread brought back some fond memories. I may have to dig out one of those. Blocks and finish it. Also gives me a good reason to add a patern to my colection. I don't think my SBJ will be very great for the detail work. I've been lusting for a yellow Case Stockman at my local retailer. Probably should go buy it before someone else does.
 
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I think I posted this chain years ao but thought you all would enjoy seeing it. Carved by my late Wifes uncle, a Cape Breton coal miner all his life and a renowned folk artist throughout the maritimes. My Father in law has or had a 12 link chain carved from a large wooden match stick with a hook turn buckle on the end, as polished as this 19 inch chain. He called his chains "Stretched wood". Hope it inspires.
The loving spoon I bought in Mass. while on an antique picking adventure.
Very best regards

Robin




 
Consider me inspired. Where do you pick up the softer whittling woods? Is there an online spot or local arts and crafts store?
 
That is awesome!!

Old Hunter said:
My Dad was a whittler and one of my Boy Scout leaders back in the 1960's; he taught us how to whittle (more or less successfully). Several years ago he gave me a big bag of sawn-out blocks that we used to whittle on. I took one of the Indian Chief letter openers and whittled it out just for old times sake - it was fun. The Sheepfoot blade on this 3-1/4" #4131 Frontier Stockman proved to be perfect for the job. OH

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sunandsteel said:
Consider me inspired. Where do you pick up the softer whittling woods? Is there an online spot or local arts and crafts store?
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Bass wood is very soft with virtually no grain. Decoy carvers use it often but getting longer pieces may be a problem.

Regards

Robin
 
Pipeman said:
Bass wood is very soft with virtually no grain. Decoy carvers use it often but getting longer pieces may be a problem.

Regards

Robin
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Thanks. I see some bass wood blocks selling on Hobby Lobby so I might give a go at the ole' ball in cage.
 
Primble said:
Fantastic craftsmanship there Robin!!! WOW ! :thumbup::)
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Hey Bro.
I was lucky to be able to spend a bit of time with him before he passed on, a great old guy. In his living room was a carving of the family church which was right across the road from their home. It was carved from a huge block of Black walnut and was about a foot square and tall. Hanging from the four corners of the church (which had it's own integral shelf) were four chains that dropped down to a bible shelf. From the integral church shelf going up were four more chains that joined at a hook turnbuckle where it hung from the ceiling, ALL integral and amazing. He did canes with balls and dice, his match stick chains were unreal and over the years he collected the entire alphabet in natural grown form and hung them on the back of the house. A true folk artist extrordinaire. He used an old pocket knife with reshaped blades for his chains, strangely I never took note of what it was.

Best regards

Robin
 
This project took me awhile, but was enjoyable none-the-less. I did not use pocket knives for this Basswood project, but rather regular carving tools. Hope you enjoy the picts!

Drawn and rough cut on the bandsaw:



Cut and re-drawn:



More stock removal:



Rainy day at the campsite:





Done.



 
There is a thread in The Workshop called "Whatcha whittlin' these days?" that has some good stuff in it. Here are a few of my more recent efforts.









 
I admire folks who can take a piece of wood and visualize and then whittle away everything that does not look like the vision till they are left with a ball in a cage,critter,or whatnot.Me I look at that piece of wood the way a writer in the throes of writers block must look at that first page in a new notebook,then I make a lot of shavings and find nothing but a relaxed mind and a pile of tinder.
 
Pipeman, do you have a picture of the natural alphabet you mentioned?

I envy those who can whittle chains, balls in cages and cowboys relaxing.
 
willis said:
I admire folks who can take a piece of wood and visualize and then whittle away everything that does not look like the vision till they are left with a ball in a cage,critter,or whatnot.Me I look at that piece of wood the way a writer in the throes of writers block must look at that first page in a new notebook,then I make a lot of shavings and find nothing but a relaxed mind and a pile of tinder.
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I hear ya. Every time I look at one of these threads my tinder pile get restocked haha
 
gunstockjack said:
This project took me awhile, but was enjoyable none-the-less. I did not use pocket knives for this Basswood project, but rather regular carving tools. Hope you enjoy the picts!

Drawn and rough cut on the bandsaw:



Cut and re-drawn:



More stock removal:



Rainy day at the campsite:





Done.



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Your dog looks nice and warm. :D:thumbup:
 
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