Santa, sort of...

brian bailey · #1 11-25-2007, 10:34 PM

My version anyways.
I wanted to try out a carving vise that I had just bought on ebay.
Screwed a 1.5" x 1.5" x 3.5" piece of bass to it and let the chips fly.
The basswood was in my scrap barrel because it had a knot on one face, since this was just a practice piece the knot didn't matter.

When I got done carving, I was gonna toss him in the woodstove but my wife said no way!
So I scubbed him with a toothbrush with some boiled linseed oil. After he dries, he'll become a lamp finial for the holidays.

Thanks for looking.

gene messer · #2 11-25-2007, 10:57 PM

Brian .. your wife was wise .. Thats a neat little Santa .. you did a very good job on him ..

Let me ask you ? The moment I looked at him .. your carving looks very similar to a carver named Jim Maxwell .. ( his style ) .. Have you ever studied his way of carving .. Just interested ..

Gene

Donna_T · #3 11-25-2007, 11:23 PM

Brian,
Cute little Santa. Yep, your wife was right--it's definitely not firewood...definitely a keeper! Good detail. Thanks for sharing.
Donna T

Nancy_G · #4 11-26-2007, 05:48 AM

Nice work!!

hobo · #5 11-26-2007, 06:27 AM

Brian Good Carving Thanks For

ing.

Hobo

Banjo · #6 11-26-2007, 07:14 AM

Brian, that is a fantastic carving. The detail is great! He'll make one neat finial!

How did you like using your vise on a carving that small? I've been thinking about getting a vise, but I wasn't for sure how it would work with the small carvings I do.

Again, great carving!

Joy · #7 11-26-2007, 08:36 AM

Absolutely a "keeper". He's adorable.

brian bailey · #8 11-26-2007, 08:37 AM

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

Gene,

To answer your question, no I haven't studied under anyone, not even my dad. I do look at a lot of different carving styles in the magazines & books, so if my carving looks like someones style it's pure happenstance.

I have read Jeff Phares books pretty thoroughly and just recently purchased Mark Gargac's CD, in both cases, I was more interested in how they made a particular cut rather than trying to emulate their style.

Banjo,

The vise worked perfectly in holding that small carving. I turned the compression plate on the vise around so I could tip the carving away from me. By being able to tip and rotate the piece 360 degrees made for some easy and safe carving.

Merle Rice · #9 11-26-2007, 09:31 AM

Very well done and definately not Firewood. Merle

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #10 11-26-2007, 10:03 AM

Good little santa!