Ice Skating Santa

[Claude]

This is a happy Santa, ice skating on a local pond in the far North. Santa stands about 7 inches tall, including the stand. Carved from basswood, painted with acrylics.

Claude ...

[Claude]

Beautiful work, Merle!

Claude

[Claude]

Arthur, just Google "tiger head" and then click on Images. Hundreds of them.

Claude

[Claude]

Great carving, Eddy!

Claude

[Claude]

Great start on the hog! That lighthouse is a true work of art.

Claude

[Claude]

Thanks for p_osting this, Patrick!

Claude...

[Claude]

Nice work by Felix! Bob: you might call the local news outlets - they frequently like to hear about a youth doing something neat...

Claude

[Claude]

Nice work!

Claude

[Claude]

It's likely just as humid here in Southern Louisiana. I keep my carving tools in a carrying case (actually, an artist paint box from Hobby Lobby), and I keep them in my un-air-conditioned garage. Have no problem with rust because I put several of those little silica gel packets in the carrying case....

[Claude]

As Arthur says, the blade is very important. I bought a 9 inch Craftsman with a brand new Craftsman blade and it didn't cut worth "stuff". It would not track straight, and I could only cut a curve to the right... I was a bout to junk it when Lynn Doughty recommended a Timberwolf blade to...

[Claude]

Actually, I check almost every day to see what the "new" members have to say... When I see one putting spam in his/her bio or in a visitor message, I ban them. Keep reporting, some of us do pay attention......

[Claude]

Welcome to the forums! Poplar is often used for kitchen utensils (spoons, spatulas, etc.). It's sometimes called "white wood" at the DIY stores. If you ask, they may be able to tell you what it is... https://www.wood-database.com/poplar/ It is sometimes called tulip poplar or yellow poplar....

[Claude]

And Happy Father's Day to both of you!

Claude

[Claude]

Welcome to the forums, Jeremy! Here's an illustration for you. The first one shows the secondary bevel used on kitchen knives and (most) pocket knives. The second shows how a sharp carving knife bevel should look.

Claude

...

[Claude]

Thanks for mentioning this, Dave - Way too long a blade for me, but I know many other carvers like the longer blades.

Claude

[Claude]

Great plaques, Eddy!
Claude

[Claude]

Please show us some photos, Paul.


Claude

[Claude]

You might also consider a small (9 inch) bandsaw. You draw the outline of the spoon on the piece of wood, then cut around the line with the bandsaw. If you have a curved profile, tape the cut offf pieces back on the spoon blank with masking tape, then cut the profile out.

Claude

[Claude]

Welcome to the forums, Lefty!

Claude

[Claude]

Good one, Bob!

Claude