Cypress Knee Santa.

[Soggy]

This one is a little something new for me. I almost always carve basswood, but earlier this summer I met up with a fellow forum member ( Scotia Carver) and he gave me a cypress knee. I had heard about them here on the forum, but had never actually seen one let alone carve one. So after putting it off as long as I could I sharpened up the old Stanley #199 and went at it. This was completely new territory for me when it came to carving, burning highlights, sanding and painting; but with a few emails and some advice from Scotia Carver I managed to hack this fellow out . He is 14\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" high ,painted with washes of acrylic and finished with a coat of Lee Valley\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Tried & True . Hope you like him
Wayne Cypress Keen Santa 002.jpgCypress Keen Santa 003.jpgCypress Keen Santa 005.jpg

[Claude]

Re: Cypress Knee Santa.

Nice work!
Claude

[Tom Ellis]

Re: Cypress Knee Santa.

He is a cool one Wayne, how did it compare to carving basswood?
I like his stance, and his arms down, likeit is a really heavy bag.

Tom

[Merle Rice]

Re: Cypress Knee Santa.

Hi Soggy, Pretty good job, never know that you were in new territory. He will be enjoyed for years to come. Merle

[Soggy]

Re: Cypress Knee Santa.

He is a cool one Wayne, how did it compare to carving basswood?
I like his stance, and his arms down, likeit is a really heavy bag.

Tom

I guess the short answer is ;....I prefer basswood .. The cypress seemed to be much softer than basswood and required VERY sharp knives to work it . Although I have only seem a very few examples of Tupelo the cypress sort of reminded me of that. When I used my burner to highlight him before painting, I had to use a lower temperature than I usually do with basswood, and the odor kinda reminds one of burning socks..........yuck !!
As for painting and finish I didn\'t notice any difference.
I guess this review makes me an X-spurt now? .....LOL

[Tom Ellis]

Re: Cypress Knee Santa.

Ok Soggy, thanks, the burning socks turned me off. Will stick to basswood.........Tom

[scotia carver]

Re: Cypress Knee Santa.

Hi Wayne
I knew you would do a great job with your trusty \"STANLEY\", now I am going have find something new for you carve in, see ya in a couple of weeks
Bruce

[Kadiddle]

Re: Cypress Knee Santa.

Nice carving. I like the way he finished up.
Carve On,
Kadiddle

[drhandrich]

Re: Cypress Knee Santa.

a winner,, I especially like the eyes for some reason or other.

[joepaulbutler]

Re: Cypress Knee Santa.

Soggy, You did yourself proud, He is a Grinner for sure. I have carved four things in cypress knees and your right sharp knives a definite plus. Good job. . .JoeB

[Arthur C.]

Re: Cypress Knee Santa.

Nice job, Soggy! My youngest son brought me a milk crate full of cypress knees averaging about 8-10\" tall that I\'m trying to figure out how I want to carve. I think I may follow your lead with a Santa, or maybe a wizard or gnome to start with. They\'re so pretty I kind of hate to cut them!

[Bob K.]

Re: Cypress Knee Santa.

That just gave me an idea for what to do with my old dirty socks! Terrific job Soggy...nice carving and super painting!

[Coffeeman]

Re: Cypress Knee Santa.

Great job, its fun to try something new every now and then.

[Wdcarver55]

Very nice Soggy

[scotia carver]

Hey Waynet
I know this a tear later but you an "Stanley " really excelled with this project, don't you want another half doxen knees to play with ?
Bruce