[xsailer]

I'm just today finishing up with the black and white Cat example from issue #12. No I haven't been working on it that long. I must say with all of the curves it has, as per the pattern, it is a good example of knifing with different wood grain situations. I'm trying not to have sand the final carving but rather have the cut/trim marks clean enough to just finish it. It's a little rough but yet another learning expirence for me a beginner. I used Bass wood. What all of you say about the importance of having a SHARP blade to really get a good clean cut is really true. I've been playing with sharpening my blades and although it's getting better I still can't cut the hair on my arm. I sure can cut my skin thou! Ouch

Fun to ramble with fellow ramblers.

[squbrigg]

Sharpening is "The" most important skill a carver needs to aquire, I my humble opinion. A good sharp blade will be a delight to use and a dull one will turn off a new carver faster than anything. Rick is our sharpening guru aboard here, and we rely on his direction and skills when we get stuck....which for me is pretty often! I'm an adequate honer, but in getting the right bevel, I call Rick in.

With Basswood you need a good sharp edge and shallow angle bevel, to get good results. A good wood to learn about grain though, so practice lots.

Bob

[xsailer]

I've been paying attention to Rick's comments and others. Hope to follow up on them in the near future. I used a friends razor knife recently and I loved it. So somewhere in my future I will have some not one. I've alreay bought two straight razors to turn into carvers.