Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Josh B on February 18, 2015, 09:19:35 pm
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I got lucky enough to hang out at twin oaks over the weekend and Pappy hooked me up with some swizzle sticks. I am making this one for my uncle. This is a maple sapling and it carves wonderfully. Although, I'm a bit worried about it checking on me as green as it is. Thanks a million for the sticks and more importantly the hospitality Pappy! This is what I started with. Josh
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Obviously, I'm using madcrow's carve-along and the walking stick he made for me as inspiration. However, I didn't want to copy his characters so I changed up the face a bit. This is where I got to before I ran out of light. I slobbered some tru-oil on it to keep it from checking. Ill post more when I have an update. Josh
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Good start, looking pretty fancypants!
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Looking good Josh. That will be nice all finished up.
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The walking stick is nice josh but can we get a close up pic of the dash board calendar?
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The walking stick is nice josh but can we get a close up pic of the dash board calendar?
Whoops! I usually catch that. :-[ Thanks fellas! Josh
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Looking good! Sure that will be a treasured stick.
Drive safe . . . .
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Really enjoyed it my self Josh, nice long talk we had. ;) :) Stick looking good. I am sure you will make something special for you uncle out of it. :)
Pappy
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Looking good Josh. If you are planning on taking all the bark off, do it while it is still green. Leave about five or six inches on each end, that will help keep it from splitting at the ends.
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Real Nice you multi-talented bugger you, got a question though.....which side do ya carve to get rid o' that "prop twist" >:D ::) Nice start sir!!!
rich
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Looking good Josh
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Thanks fellas! I'm planning on leaving some bark on for most of it, but I'm going to sand the outer bark off down to the peach colored inner bark. Josh
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Looks SWEETTTTTTTTT
Why do you carve it green. Looks like some sort of white wood it'll check if you don't seal it as soon as your done carving. Got to seal it with something just like the ends.
I carve a lot wood and bone,antler if you let it season first your edges of your carving's will be a lot sharper. Just like a bow.
I like to carve a deer foot on the end. A turkey feather carved on one of one of those twists looks killed. But I don't think you can get that kind of detail craving green.
But your carving looks really good.
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I learned a trick to keep the carving from checking when I started turn bowls from green wood. When I am done for the day, I put the green shaving in a paper bag and put the bag over the end of the carving. Tie it in place and twist the bag around so that most of the shavings are pressed against the carved face. It will slow the drying out. Also I have a few carvings that I call crackheads. They get cracked on purpose. I can carve the green wood faster if I use a mallet, so when I get done and decide where I want the crack to be in the wood, I give the whole thing a coat of poly, but don't put any where the crack will be. Just leave an empty streak, and it will crack there. From the look on the face, I think you have been looking at some carvings by Nancy Tuttle. Keep going, we need more pics.
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Thanks Crooketarrow.
I really appreciate the tips Eddie! I wrapped some cling wrap around the exposed wood as well as sealed it with tru-oil since I won't get back to it until next week. My regular dispatcher was off work the last couple days and the substitute is new. I guess she figured that Greenville MS to Aberdeen SD is only about 8 inches on the map and as such, I should be able to make it in a day. ::) That put a kink in my carving schedule. I have to admit that I had never heard of Nancy Tuttle so I did a quick Google search. Wow! She's got skill! I should be about empty. So I'm gonna get off of here and see if I can't get this thing pointed south towards hearth and home. Have a good weekend and thanks for the advice. Josh
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Aberdeen? Well heck, that's only 8 hours away from me!
Oh yeah, but I'm not home (again)!
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I've heard that you have a reputation for getting around JW. >:D.
I managed a little more on this stick. Now for the eyes and on up. Josh
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Dang Josh, it looks just like my sister. Only.her beard aint that long. Looks great.
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Lookin good josh :)
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Lol! Eddie, that's funny! I don't care who ya are! Well....cept maybe your sister. >:D
Thanks Mitch! Josh
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That is sure coming along, looking very good. :)
Pappy
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That is so cool. This is a fun one to follow along on. Can't wait to see the finished cane. Just curious, do you take all the bark off when making one of these carved canes?
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Very cool, Josh but he really needs to have a dermatologist look at that thing on his nose. ;)
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That is looking great
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Lol! Yeah Pat its kinda ugly! I knew that dead limb that I carved his nose out of was dark and rotten, but I had hoped that i would get under that when I got it shaped. At least its solid wood, even if discolored. Since I'm planning on putting a Santa hat on him, I'll just say it's frostbite.
Thanks fellas! I appreciate the encouragement.
StevenT, I'm planning on leaving some bark on it in places. I don't know if that's right or wrong since this is my first one. Maybe Eddie (madcrow) will have a proper answer for ya.
Thanks again! Josh
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The discoloration just adds character to the carving. I have had a few that were marked up like Mikhail Gorbachev. As for the bark, there is no set rule on whether it needs to come off or not. Carvers choice really. Bark texture and thickness have a lot to do with what I leave on and take off. I leave poplar and maple on quite a bit, but will take the thicker bark like sourwood off. Who wants to try to carry a two pound stick on a ten mile hike when you can lighten the load by ten ounces or so by removing the bark. I will help the bark stay on if it is cut during the winter when the sap is not moving. Maple does a good job of staying on. One thing that will add some strength to the bark is to cover it with a thinned layer of shellac. When you thin it, it will allow it to soak into the bark, especially around the face where it will be prone to chipping and flaking. I hope this was indecisive enough for you. It boils down to what you want it to look and feel like.
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That's looking good, GD. I'm gonna have to post some of the sticks I've been makking, now.
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8)
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That's looking good, GD. I'm gonna have to post some of the sticks I've been makking, now.
Lookin forward to checking them out!
Other Eddie, would superglue stabilize the bark? Probably cost more with superglue I guess. Josh
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Im not sure if the superglue would soak in far enough. Hmmm, I might test it on a scrap piece.
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Let me know if you try it out Eddie. I'm a little ways away from that point yet. It's 82 degrees and sunshine here in Phoenix, so hopefully I'll get a little more done today. I changed my mind on the Santa hat. This character just don't look like Santa! Josh
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82 kinda warm man ...you can keep it ;)