Egor & Ivan

[Mottles]

Title: Egor & Ivan
Medium: Basswood Block 4" Tall

Well, here is my latest woodspirit I finished between Christmas shopping and out of state visitors. Whew!
For the color I used my oil paint colors, linseed oil, bt. umber for Ivan and bt. sienna for Egor. Will apply a couple coats varnish tomorrow.
Lot's learned, mistakes made but I do feel I'm making headway. I really need to start working larger I think it would be easier. Monkey Now where did hubby hide his chainsaw....hummm Anybody have one of those cute Merlin chainsaws with all those great looking accessories? If so do ya like it?
Merry Christmas,
Kathy

[wade clark]

Kathy,
Nice carving!
I have the merlin tools and love them. Be careful, though, because they have a chainsaw head and will cut you easier than they cut wood! They really are great for removing wood, especially getting it down to the "rough-out" stage.
Wade

[Mottles]

Hi Wade, thank you.
I've looked at the Merlin in the various carving magazines and it looks really cool. Thank you for the warnings--not sure if I'll get one but would be fun to see one in use.
Merry Christmas,
Kathy

[MelNM]

Ivan and Egor are looking good, I like the headband, thats one of the ideas I want to try on one of my carvings.

I would like to do the big stuff too Kathy, if you get one be very, very careful, chainsaws can get away from you when you least expect, safety equipment is definately important when using them, my brother almost lost an eye because of this happening to him. Colin has a story about the Merlin so you may want to get with him.
Mel Baby

[Mottles]

Hi Mel, thank you not sure what made me think of a headband. Guess wanted to do something a little different--test myself.
Yikkes, I need all my body parts so maybe I'd better just stick to knives, gouges, and chisels. Thank you!
Merry Christmas,
Kathy

[Clifford_Parker]

Nice work on the woodspirits Kathy.

Mel,
If I recall correctly Colin had his run-in with a Lancelot wheel with the safety guard removed. The Merlin uses a Proxxon mini-grinder and is for smaller work or details. The smaller grinder also gives you the option of using Arbortech accessories.

I finally did my first two tree spirits this year and used the Lancelot and Squire wheels for roughing them out with great success. All of my years of metal work might have made me more comfortable with the grinder but I definitely preferred it over the chainsaw.

[Mottles]

Hi Cliff, thank you for the nice compliment. I appreciate your comments regarding the Merlin and other grinders. I do realize that you have to be careful with any carving tool manual or power. I like the size of the Merlin and the fact that even I with practice could use it. I don't see myself operating a standard chainsaw just to heavy. So the Merlin seemed like a perfect fit.
Merry Christmas,
Kathy
Almost forgot to mention I enjoyed a scroll though your web site. Your walking sticks and woodspirits are terrific.

[MelNM]

Thanks Clifford, now my wifes gonna be mad at you Wink , that sounds like something I really need also, sounds alot easier to use. I have used the large industrial grinders also and that bad boy bit me once, I saw where one tore off a guys pants, it wasn't funny at the time, but after words it was because he didn't get hurt, just standing there in his birthday suit with a shocked look in his face.
Mel

[Mottles]

Originally Posted by MelNM

Thanks Clifford, now my wifes gonna be mad at you Wink , that sounds like something I really need also, sounds alot easier to use. I have used the large industrial grinders also and that bad boy bit me once, I saw where one tore off a guys pants, it wasn't funny at the time, but after words it was because he didn't get hurt, just standing there in his birthday suit with a shocked look in his face.
Mel

Yikkes Mel, that fellow was really lucky.........and sounds like you were too only getting bit as you say.
I do think these power grinders are great but I think I'll wait a while. Cool If you get one before I do please share your experience using it.
Merry Christmas,
Kathy

[Thor]

Kathy,
Your faces really show charactor. Those are very good. I like the idea of them being on opposite sides of the same block.
Thor