Found an aspen log

[Nebraska]

Small forge in Western Washington State made hand forged tools the steel holds an edge like no other tool in my bag. They carve basswood like butter (well sort of) If recall correctly they closed in late 90’s. Carvers in Washington used to will them to other local carvers so they wouldn’t leave...

[Nebraska]

So driving back to the rental cabin on a fly fishing trip to Colorado and there’s an aspen log laying on the side of the road....

[Nebraska]

This has been a fun thread to read, made me think of some of the folks I’ve meet while carving. And the rules they’ve made for themselves. We were in Asheville NC few years back. My wife gone in search of the next perfect dress. I found a bench dugout my carvin jack and was working on a ball...

[Nebraska]

Me too, I carry 8 knives in my tool caddy but rarely use more than a couple. Truth be told seldom use a knife unless I’m doing something like a ball in a box or carving eyelids. Finding Diobsud forge tools being sold by folks who don’t know what they have has kind of became a little sub hobby...

[Nebraska]

Speaking of knives I picked two knives by B.K.Thurman and wondering if anyone knows who he was?

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[Nebraska]

My new (used) knife.

So I’m drinking my first cup of coffee the other day and looking at the latest listings of used tools on eBay.
Something I do every morning. As I glance at a collection on miscellaneous kind of beat up tools something catches my eye. In the middle of the photo...

[Nebraska]

Built this caddy so it fits in a soft side tool bag with room for the tool roll to sit behind it.




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[Nebraska]

I like to tinker way more than the next guy. But dropped some coins and got an Eli Vise. Even though I’ve made some modifications that IMHO improved the vise. Still glad I did. I’ve also made an adapter I can clamp on any table so the vise can travel. You have more control and it’s safer...

[Nebraska]

My 2 cents. I got a cheap brown heavy cotton apron from Amazon for like $10. Works fine but shortly after that I gave up holding my carvings. I bought an Eli Vise after reading an article about the advantages of having both hands on your tool....

[Nebraska]

Denny,
Nice bear and good call on the color.

Have you considered making a transparency for a go by. I carve from sketch’s or photographs. I use the copier function on a printer to size it to the wood I have. Then print on a transparency sheet. You can hold it up...

[Nebraska]

Absolutely I love #3 but when JoeB said 1/4” I’m think way to small. But truly as you said it depends on what you’re doing....

[Nebraska]

There are commercial products for mold and the ones that work can be hazardous. I’d go that way but be sure to follow the instructions and dress like you at a hazmat site. Side note: I’ve had good luck keeping green wood projects from cracking buy drilling out the pith sealing end and keeping...

[Nebraska]

With the help of my grandsons we treed up
22 trees in the backyard mostly aspen and spruce....

[Nebraska]

MsLibra,

Welcome to wood carving, I started four years ago. I carve from photos or sketches that I scale to the wood I’m using. Then print on a transparency sheet so I can hold up next to the carving and see what needs removed....

[Nebraska]

Well done Mark

[Nebraska]

NoDNA
Nice job made me think about my first. The guys in our club have new carvers make a round peg from a square one. Welcome to carving.

[Nebraska]

While I understand that carving and finishing are separate tasks. I think this thread is about trying to get darker finish on basswood without blotches. Most guys tend to find a finish for basswood that is safe and acceptable then stick with it. I’ve only been carving a few years but I like to challenge...

[Nebraska]

Break in the clouds

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[Nebraska]

No sun here today, but would be glad to share some better pictures....

[Nebraska]

Bill,

I agree love tung oil on walking sticks and the in the round carvings I’ve done in found aspen logs. End grain on basswood is a different animal. So I been carving less and working on finish options. Next I’m going to dye the wood yellow then build an brown finish over it....