Bear Nativity--Mary in progress

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That is awesome, Mike! Like I have said before, I am the poster child for buying cheap tools in the past. I learned carving on my own and from books before I was able to get hooked up with some more experienced carvers. I would have loved to have had someone set me down and give me advice on what...

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1 Board Foot equals 144 cubic inches...you can take the dimensions of any block and figure back to what it costs. For example, I am carving some Arlene Zomer patterns that take a 2"X2"X4" block. That is 16 cubic inches. You then divide 16 by 144 to get .111, which is the small block...

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Well, I think all of this is great advice from folks I respect and know how to sharpen. With that said, I am in a much different camp. When I first started in carving, I thought it was MANDATORY that you know how to set an edge on a carving knife in order to be a good carver. That is simply not so....

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I had a 'Merry Christmas to me' moment a couple of years ago, and bought a stag handled Oar Carver from Stadtlander. When I received it, it wasn't as sharp as I thought it should be. I corresponded via email with Bob Stadtlander, and he said to ship it back, and he would make it right. I got it back...

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Paul...I didn't realize you were so close to Branson! Next time we are there, I may have to convince the wife to head to Whooping Hollow for a visit!

I was in Peter Engler's shop in Branson last November, and was visiting with guy in the tool shop. He said on Tuesday nights, some guys...

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I have spent the last two days getting my blank down to this shape. Have spent a lot of time with an OCC Tools #5, 1" gouge hogging out the wood. I had to look up some reference photos of females kneeling in prayer and in robes. I have her feet drawn out in the back, and her arms laid out as...

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As always, Bob, just a wonderful job!!!

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That works out to $7.42 per board foot for Heineke, $17.12 for Dorrance, $33.30 for WoodCraft, $15.00 for Treeline, $12.12 for Chipping Away, and $14.39 for Mtn. Woodcarvers. I have found that Heineke tries to keep their basswood around $8.00 per board foot, which is reasonable and what it has been...

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A while back, my wife and I were in the Kansas City, Kansas area, and I always have to make a trip to the WoodCraft store! While I was there, I happened to pick up a chunk of basswood that was 3"x12"X18".

I noticed it was a bit darker than usual, but when I started cutting...

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Paul...that is just spectacular! Wow!

I am doing what my father in law did...stockpiling tools in anticipation of my retirement, and moose antler is one of my bucket list items to carve with my still in the box Foredom! I found a matched set of really small moose head gear in an antique...

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Tomz Sharpener first choice...second mistake was not finding out about Dallas Deege at Old Texas Woodcarver's sooner...

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Yep, well said. My dad was a D-Day guy, landing on Utah Beach.

In 2015, my wife and I retraced his 'steps' from his landing at Utah, until he got shot and injured in the Battle for St. Lo on July 11th, 1944.

We also spent some time in London, and went by and took a picture...

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Mr. Hobo...one of the guys in our club has one of those...they are well made, nicely done, and just overall very nice!...

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Great carving! He could also pass for Mr. Kimball the County Agent in Green Acres!!!

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Great idea! I am at the age where if it works for me and it is functional, I don't much care if it looks hobo!

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Thanks everyone! I will make sure when I get everything painted, I will post the whole set!

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I think I posted the picture of my Baby Jesus bear a while back, and I am on the cusp of completing the second figure in this set. I modified Mike Shipley's Pa Bear pattern from Carving the Country Bear and Friends.

I added arms, as you can see, and dressed him in a robe and headgear from...

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Brian, what a great story, and what a beautiful dog! Other than a love for one's spouse, children or parents, there is NOTHING like the unconditional love of a great dog! May you have many great years with her!

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Vet wrap will also work and will make it easier to handle!