Santa "fur" texture technique?

[Dwayne]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Hello!
I was admiring the "hanging santa" from Steve Brown's article "Hangin'On Santa Ornament" in the "Hand Carved Holiday Gifts" special issue (page 96, 97). I'm a brand new carver, just starting out and I can't imagine how Steve gets that great looking texture in the white "fur" around Santa's hat, cuffs and coat bottom. I was wondering if anyone would mind sharing the technique used to get this kind of texture? Thanks.[/FONT]

[susieq]

You might ask that question in the section for questions to the authors..... Many of the authors of books and articles will answer you there if you ask them specifically.

[Mitchell]

He did susieq...... but didn't get an answer.

If you look at the article, Steve lists the tools used. Looking at the ornament, it appears that he used a small veiner (sometimes refered to as a #11 gouge) to make the cuts for the fur.

I don't have the book in front of me, but it would have been the smallest on the list.

[Kenny_S]

I agree with Mitch,in the tool section of the same article he does list a 3/16 veiner. I have use on small Santa carvings up to 6" size, a 1/16 and 1/8 V tool also.

[susieq]

Sorry, I didn't realize he had already tried there.... I know that sometimes it takes a while for an author to answer.....

[steve brown]

Dwayne, I use a 2mm #11 veiner. The method is what I term a push and pick with the veiner. It is a very soft push then pick or lift the small piece out. This takes a long time but in the end I think it looks good. You can also use a small v-tool to get yet another look on the fur. Where the fur hits the face, hands or another part of the clothes I make a stop cut under the fur at that paticular area. This helps in getting those small pieces out witout tearing the fur. I also use this method around the edge of beards and hair. Hope this helps. Steve B. I can be reached 1 270 821 8774 or sbrownwoodcarvin@bellsouth.net or Steve Brown Woodcarving.com

[Dwayne]

Great! Thanks so much for the reply. I'm anxious to give the technique a try. I really like the way it looks in the photos.

[Coffeeman]

Dwayne,

In addition to what Steve mentioned, I hold my tool, push in slightly and then give my wrist a quick turn, only trying to pop-out a small divet, not making a long 1/4" canal cut.

Furthermore, so all your "fur trim" doesn't look the same piece after piece, I'll use my dremel with a cone shaped stone and just use the end tip portion and dremel in my "fur divets" all around his cap trim, gives it a different effect.

Regardless of what you use to make the fur trim effect, you first rough in your hat trim area and apply the fur effect after.

Good luck and looking forward to viewing a picture real soon. Bill

[Dwayne]

Thanks for the response Coffeeman! As a matter of fact, I was given a new dremel tool for Christmas but haven't used it much yet. This will give me an "excuse" to break it out.

[Holly]

I have used hand tools as mentioned above especially for beards but for fur around cuffs and on hat brims the dremel is quick and fun way. I use the bit that looks like it has a small ball on the tip(not sure what it is called) and then lightly tap it all over the fur area. I try not to have a uniform pattern and touch it lightly with the tip hitting the wood perpindicular to it rather than on it's side so I am just making little dents not lines.
It's quick, easy and looks good. Fun!