From days gone by........

[Soggy]

Mamma Soggy and I just got back from a wonderful vacation and I thought I'd share with you folks some old carvings that I was able to photograph.

We were visiting some friends in the northern part of the province when the topic of carving came up . I was showing some little hillbillies that I had done while we were travelling, and my friends mother whom I believe is in her late 80's or possibly early 90's said "I got some carvings that I I've had for quite a while" She went on to say that she had worked as a cook in the lumber camps when she was younger and that the men sometimes "whittled" when they had a bit of leisure time (which wasn't often).
She said that she herself had whittled one of the balls in a cage but couldn't remember which one since it was so long ago.
Also I was totally amazed by the little pliers, that were whittled from a single piece of wood, and were able to open and close just like real pliers do. ( just a note ........the largest pair of pliers was broken and had been repaired; but was still whittled from a single piece of wood)

[Keoma]

OH Yes! what great stuff! Gettin back to some real roots here! Thank you for sharing! These are wonderful!

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by Soggy

Mamma Soggy and I just got back from a wonderful vacation and I thought I'd share with you folks some old carvings that I was able to photograph.

We were visiting some friends in the northern part of the province when the topic of carving came up . I was showing some little hillbillies that I had done while we were travelling, and my friends mother whom I believe is in her late 80's or possibly early 90's said "I got some carvings that I I've had for quite a while" She went on to say that she had worked as a cook in the lumber camps when she was younger and that the men sometimes "whittled" when they had a bit of leisure time (which wasn't often).
She said that she herself had whittled one of the balls in a cage but couldn't remember which one since it was so long ago.
Also I was totally amazed by the little pliers, that were whittled from a single piece of wood, and were able to open and close just like real pliers do. ( just a note ........the largest pair of pliers was broken and had been repaired; but was still whittled from a single piece of wood)

I've got a book that I've had forever, or at least since I started carving. The title of this book is "Great Carving Projects" by the members of the National Carvers Museum Foundation, in Monument, CO. 80132.

This book has the plans on all kinds of projects like the ones pictured above

That being said, I'd bet that this out fit is no longer in business....but you may be able to find some one (besides me, that is) that may sell you their copy.

[Canopener]

My wifes grandfather used to carve little chains like the ones you pictured. I have his knife which is an old Shrade Walden switchblade. It has tiny 1 1/2" and 2" blades that are super thin and sharp. Interesting stuff.
Jim

[pallin]

I received a book titled "Wood Carving and Whittling" from my aunt and uncle in 1947. The whittling section had many projects like these, which I went on to carve in the years that followed. There are also some interesting examples in the Carver Image Galleries of this site.

[mateo]

Wow those must be veeeery delicate. thanks for showing them. tell mama Soggy we said hello.

[gtech]

I bought a book that shows how to carve these a few weeks ago because I love vintage stuff. These were standards back then and they even had to make their tools from razor blades to be able to whittle them. Today we're lucky to be able to buy them easily.

Nice.