:Chestnut Bears:

[tnartist05]

Not being from the mtns,I only know a few people here. I do have one neat friend. Hes an old man that lives on the next creek from me. He lives in a house his grandfather build,he's up on a mtn and has more wood than 100,000 beavers.

He has sheds and barns full of wood,I give him some carving ideas and we've became good friends. I just think of an idea and what wood I wish I had,next day,hes at my front door with it. He dont carve anything but a light relief wood spirit in his walking staffs he sells. Ive got him into some smaller projects and boy hes happy about it.

I told him a few wks ago,we still had 6-7 inches of snow on our back porch about needing some wormy chestnut,we went to the store and when we came up the back deck,there was several chunks of wormychestnut in a plastic bag on the porch. He called me that evening,You get the wood? I told him yea but you didnt have to bring it in all the bad weather{worse where he lives up the mtn road to his house} He a good old man,I'll show him alot of ways to carve and make some things.

Cut into this one chunk of cheastnut,no worm holes in it.I ask him where you get it,he told me my bigger barm,my grandfather build the insides of chestnut. I will carve him some little bears and give them to him.

I cut a blank out on my bandsaw,left the bear blank thick,cut off enough for the standing bear plus a slice for a bear pin.

Here they are,hope you like em. Course your thoughts are welcome.

Forrest

[bob easton]

..........

[tnartist05]

Bob alot of the old chestnut,have alot of worm holes in it.Thus;wormy chestnut but this was solid. Im glad you liked the bears. Thanks for your thoughts here.

Forrest

[Dileon]

Great looking bears, it is super nice to have great neighbors, I have a few up the mountain from me.....in fact one gave me this wood that he has, said that he to scared to carve it himself,....and he is a master craftsmen. I been staring at that wood for a month now, wondering when I will get the guts to go to work on it. Great to have you back on the board!

[oldbearx2]

Great carvings Forrest. Never have carved chestnut is it easy to carve, how does it compare to butternut as to hardness.

[Midnight Carver]

Cute little bears! You two sound like a great match for neighbors. Thanks for sharing

Eric

[chipmunk]

great looking carvins as all ways

[Mark Dellinger]

Forrest,

Nice little bears. Nice to have s uch a good neighbor that you two can help each other out. Glad to see you being around a little more.

Safe Carving and God Bless,

Mark

[chpster90bu]

Hey, good buddy! Good to see you back here tonite! I know full well how you and your friend have paired up, and that's a real good thing, Good for both of you and it seems to be working out well...you have a never-ending supply of wood, that's for sure, and he has an excellent teacher!!! Now as I'm partial to bears, as you well know......I LOVE the ones you did, and the finish is truly rich looking, as someone else said. Keep carving, my friend.....it's more than a life-saver for you... and a treat for us! Bonnie

[Woody1961]

I have never carved any chestnut. Perhaps I should get some. I actually saw some at the Hardwood Store of NC (I think I remember seeing it there).