Celtic Khuk

Is there a certain type of x-acto blade that is recommended?

I'd buy a dremel but I don't know If I'd have enough uses for it. Except for some light dental work. :D

Do you draw the pattern on the wood before carving or do you carve as your mind dictates?
 
Well if your mind isnt as woozy as mine I guess you wouldnt have to draw the pattern first:D Drawing the pattern in first is an absolute must for those of us uncertain of our skills as woodchucks:D Actually that was the hardest part of in carving these darn celtic knots is drawing in them darned lines :p

Anyways Im trying to do light jewelery work, as well as making fittings for antique swords so I find my dremel to be extremely handy in non-woodchuck situations:cool: They buff, they cut, they sand, they engrave, and Im sure in the future theyll come up with a whole bunch of new bits to take care of everything from cooking to cleaning:D:D:D:rolleyes:
 
Tools are almost as addictive as Khukuris. There are literally hundreds of bits, burrs, grinding stones, abrasive drums, Cratex polishing tips (rubber tips on a shaft, impregnated with abrasives in super-fine up to coarse) felt polishing tips in every shape from "Xmas tree" to drums, bits that will take a strip of sandpaper...then you get into the attachments - router set-up, drill press mount, cable tool attachment (which I use - very handy). I don't think they cook (yet) but if you get handy with one, and have a chunk of cast iron,you can, with patience, make your own skillet (maybe even a wood stove :)) A competitor snagged the trade name "Do-All" which pretty well describes this class of tool (they're called "rotary tools" in most catalogs.

Check a hobby shop in your area. There are carving knife sets by Xacto and many others, and you can buy the individual handles and various shapes of replacement blades. I started with the straight aluminum handle (as thick as a ball-point pen) and the pointy single edge triangular blade. There are a few things this combo won't handle, but they are rare. There is a large handle with a more sturdy "chuck", but the little one handles nicely on small detail as well as larger stuff if you are patient. This whole hobby is characterized by the stereotyped version of the Chinese saying "Slowly, slowly catchee monkey" - not PC, but very appropriate.
 
As promised pics of the karda and chakma.
karda.jpg

Still trying to clean it up. The karda and chakma are still only rough carved, and need to be cleaned up.
 
Keep the pics coming. We could all move to BirGorkha - you carve, I'll finish, Al can take pics of what we do.....I'm on chicken and rice diet...just have to learn to switch to goat. The .40 per is less than I have coming in, but more than they let me keep. HHmmmmm - the price of a Khukuri, less all that freight, duty....I could even do with out the goat :D
 
Federico try using some Bondini-2 Super Glue from Wal-Mart in the connecting areas of the knots. It's (the super glue) located in the paint dept at our stores here in Tulsa.
This brand is the absolute best I have ever used and it's not as expensive as many that are inferior to it.
The super glue will penetrate the bare wood something fierce and it may take more than one application to get the wood hard enough to carve without chipping. This works wonders when trying to take a khuk handle down in size around the ring.
Before I started using the Bondini-2 on the khuk rings they would never fail to chip out because of the small section of cross grained wood.
And not only does it help with the carving the super glue makes for a better final finish IMO.
I haven't had a failure yet while useing the super glue!!!!:cool: :D
 
Hello Yvsa

Do you think wood hardener would work? I got some on hand, but didnt even think of trying it, too much time around antiques.
 
Hey Wal you ever wonder what they could do with power carving tools?:cool:

Hehehe tempted by the idea of heading out there, but I am afraid that my son would miss me too much ;):D:D Anyways I figure they dont need another carver, especially with all the talent that is already there.
 
Originally posted by Federico
Hello Yvsa

Do you think wood hardener would work? I got some on hand, but didnt even think of trying it, too much time around antiques.
Click to expand...

Federico I don't know. After your asking about a wood hardener it just reminded me that there is such a thing.
I believe it might work since in essence you're doing the same thing with the super glue.
Perhaps the wood hardener would work even better? Good question and one I would very much like to know the answer to.
And if it does work well I would like to know where to purchase it since it could solve many problems with model making.
 
Uncle Bill, I'm glad I'm not the only non-woodchuck around here:D

I do love to see good woodwork though, and I hope to get into it in the future. I have no excuse--my dad's a lifelong woodchuck:)
 
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