Help! I'm about to throw my wood!!!!!

[Burnurcomputer]

Okay I've been working on a griffengoyle which sounds much cooler then it looks. I am having trouble hollowing out between the "back" and the wings . The wings extend into the back haunches and I can't get my knife to do what I want. It is still in the very rough and not-even-close-to-looking-good stage. I want to throw it at this point! My cuts are all over the place and I'm getting nowhere fast. Instruction please! I will try to have my husband post a few pics then for reference, please note I am a true beginner! Don't be mean or I really will cry.

[BobD]

We need photos...at least I do...I can't picture what you are saying...

Bob

[mdallensr]

I'm guesssing you need to use a gouge. If you have one, try a #7 or #9, 1/4" or 3/8" wide, and take the wood away that way. You can only do so much with stop cuts. Good luck. Mike

[Nancy-ID]

Burnurcomputer, (??? do you have anger issues???) joking aside, you might find a gouge will work better for you or as I say to myself,"self whatever works". Do you have an electric or cordless drill around? Get a good sized bit into it and drill out a place under the wings, once you have a hole started through the area you will be better able to manipulate your knife to finish that part off. Note: we do not throw wood, we kiss wood nicely. Lets us know how it goes.

[Mitchell]

Definitely need to use a gouge to do the roughing out (or "blocking in" as I prefer to say) of detail.

I use a deeper gouge (#9 or #11) to make depressions to allow me to go back with a knife and put in detail cuts. This helps keep the cuts clean looking because I don't have to use the knife repeatedly in one area. When it's time for detail, I can make it in fewer knife cuts.

I agree with Bob though, photos would certainly help as my suggestion may not be related to your problem at all. I am just assuming.

[Capt. Bandaid]

I have been known to use a wood rasp on recalcitrant areas. The micro-plane round rasp works great and can be bought at hardware stores for about $10. Go ahead and come over to the dark side......

[Just Carving]

we do not throw wood, we kiss wood nicely

?????Sarcastic

Go ahead, throw it! Better than tossin' yer cookies!! Kiss the wood, my......! Geez Louise!!!

Okay, Jaime--first thing--take a nice easy deep breath. Don't get mad at the wood, get even!!!

And whatever you do, don't go kissin no wood!! Sheesh, Nancy, the poor kid's gonna get splinters in her lips!

BTW Jaime, you can let out that breath now.

If you don't have a gouge, try using a 3/8" chisel. Pushing on a chisel will give you a little more leverage than you would have with a knife. Of course, make sure whatever you're using is sharp.

Keep us posted.

[jillsy]

I have absolutely no advice, but just wanted to tell you - you're NOT alone! We've all been there before...are there now...or will be there someday!

Now what I'd like to know is, when did we get the reputation of being mean?!!

Jillsy

[santagibbs]

I just went through that WANNA THROW stage.. Talk about frustrating! Just hang in there and do as Dave says.. You can always come up with a new something .. I have already thrown my baby racoon in the trash and am now using a hound dog... Sorta changed my idea a lot but I now am satisfied...lol Charlotte Head Bange Got to go carve...

[santagibbs]

Something like this with a baby raccoon in the tree this time... grin