If you have a 2x4 piece of basswood you wish to carve a figure.Which end would you make the bottom (shoes) ?

The feet would be on the end of the 2x4.
The length of most carvings should be along the length of the tree's growth.

Sam,

I'm not sure what you are asking. Do you want to know if you should place the feet at the ends of the board or are you asking whether the direction of the grain makes a difference as to which end to make the 'bottom' or 'top'?

Good whittlin, Cliff
Charles City, Iowa
http://cliffordparker.tripod.com

Well with the grain going up the length if you take your knife at an edge where the front of the peice is and cut up.You will find one direction cuts easy .The cut in the other direction the blade likes to dig in.So I find choosing the easier cut going up toward the head.Makes it easier carving on the face
And the rest of the figure.I had read it somewhere but don't remember where.

I just knew this hobby was going to get tol technical for me..

[ArizonaPaPa]

away from anything that bleeds usually works best for me

All I can tell you is that the shoes should definitely be on the end of the carving that meets the table it's standing on 8)

Teri

[woodenleg]

I hate to say it, but I know what this person is asking -- I think. Recently I have even seen a statement in a book by one of the leading carvers that addresses this. I am frantically looking for it. It may help a number of us if I can find it.... Sorry I don't remember what he said.

Since I normally use a vise and my pieces stand upright while I carve, I think it would probably be best to have the 'grain running' in the direction that would ease this.

On the other hand, most of the tight places (between legs and the like) involve cutting downward. Please don't ask why I posted. I guess it was just early.

[Callynne]

Â* Â* When I started carving I read that you should carve the body of a person 'with the grain' and then attach a separate piece of 'against the grain' to do the head. Â*It said the detail in the face would be easier to do. Â*What a mess...I ended up using a gouge to remove enough wood and glue a new 'face' into the wood. Â*It was not a fun learning experience!!! Â*Does anyone else do that and does it work for you?? Â*
Â* Â* That was in my 'can't find basswood, I'll just carve the end of 2x4's phase'. :P I have no desire to try it with my beloved basswood, but I'm curious to see if anyone else does it that way! Â*Callynne

[AlArchie]

I can probably settle this once and for all; I only, ever, always, carve in a direction that allows the chips to fall downward!

hehehehe

Al