Do you consider Half Models (ships) as carvings?

#1 02-20-2003, 09:39 AM

I carve/build wooden sailing ship half models. While the hull itself is 'carved', there is some building up of other parts to the finished product. I am curious as to if your readers would consider this a form of 'carving' or not. ???
I also do some relief carving, but there is not question there. This is not a subjuct you see/hear much about in carving magazines, and I am always interested in learning more.

mdallensr · #2 02-20-2003, 01:20 PM

I first ran into this question at the Warther Carving Museum. Warther 'carved' steam engines, as well as models of steel mills. He considered himself a wood carver, but most of his work was building models. In many ways, he was a true carver, since he did all of his pieces by hand, with carving and other woodworking tools. He's probably best known for the 'pliers' he could make out of a stick of wood, as small as a wooden match. His museum is in Dover, Ohio and is really worth the trip. Carving is a big deal in this part of Ohio, and the annual carving show in Dover is first class. One of Warther's grandsons 'carves' model ships in a nearby town. The same question arises, I guess. A lot of that is up to the indivudual. If you want to be known as a carver of ships, so be it.

#3 02-20-2003, 02:27 PM

How about the realistic bird carver ... glass eyes, pewter feet, etc. they're carvers; so are you. I don't know how you'd carve rigging etc. Just consider it props for your carving.

AlArchie · #4 02-20-2003, 04:57 PM

IMHO IF YOU CARVE IT, IT'S A CARVING! there are so many different types od carving and model making that it's impossible to differentiate, si if you call what you do carving, it's carving. I really am impressed with the half shells, myself!!!

Al

#5 02-20-2003, 08:22 PM

Yup - what Al said :-) If'n you're using carving tools of ANY kind on ANY type of wood, you're carving.

Seems simple enough to understand, although I know there are many wood-snobs who might disagree. They just have their panties on a bit too tightly and are there for the rest of us to simply smile and nod at - while we go on enjoying what we do.

Teri

AlArchie · #6 02-20-2003, 10:07 PM

Hey, I've even carved a couple ROCKS!

Al

#7 02-20-2003, 10:41 PM

If you can cut yourself with a knife the you are a carver.

Ric

mdallensr · #8 02-22-2003, 09:55 PM

Throw in wood turners as well. Many carving shows feature wood turners and wood burners, and many of those couple those crafts with carving.