First attempt carving a "Little Folk"

[Ezzylearner]

Good day, folks. After carving Mr & Mrs Troll and Oskar, here's my first attempt at carving one of the "Little Folks", a monk using the patterns from Harley Refsal's book "Whittling Little Folks". I've introduced a bit of my own interpretation though. The carving is from a block of 2" x 2" x 4 1/2" rubberwood. My biggest challenge is still cutting a blank with a coping saw - but I find it enjoyable.

Safe carving to all.

Ezzy (or call me Lawrence, if you like)

[uvawyo]

I like it, Ezzy

[SlowMover]

That is a nice start, keep carving them and they (and you) will improve.

[Eddy-Smiles]

Ezzy... Cute little guy! I like the look of that wood. You say they call it rubberwood? What is the fomal species name of it? Is it hard or soft to carve?

Since you're carving such small figures can you split the wood into blocks instead of trying to saw them?

[kev.b]

well done Ezzy.
the most important thing is you are enjoying carving.
the second most important thing is you take a look at your finished work and think "how can i improve on it?"
with these two simple rules you'll be carving for a lifetime.

[feb]

Mice little guy keep up the good work.

[therenow]

darn good carving.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Nice carving ezzy!

dave

[Ezzylearner]

Thanks, guys, for your tips and encouragement, they mean a lot to me.

Eddy: The species is Hevea Brasiliensis and its latex is processed into natural rubber. The wood is on the hard side. Ops, I made a mistake in my original posting, what I meant is cutting a roughout with a coping saw. At the moment I have only a small supply 2" x 2" x 4" or 5" blocks of wood suitable for caving with knives, so I got to carve small figures. Plenty of hard and exotic wood trees (including deadly poisonous ones) growing in this tropical country of mine but I don't have chisels and mallets or power carving tools - even if I have them I don't know how to use them, sigh.

Safe and fun carving to all.

Ezzy

[Eddy-Smiles]

Ezzy... According to a couple of web sites you've tackled a formidable opponent as from what I've found rubber wood is as hard or even harder than red oak. So that makes your "Little Folk" even more impressive!! I don't think that Paulownia tomentosa or Chinese Empress Wood grows in Malaysia because your climate is too wet but it is an Asian wood and it is grown in both China and western Australia. If you can get a hold of it I've found it very nice to carve. I've made quite a few of my bears from it.