Site to see

[rick-in-seattle]

http://photos.nondot.org/2001-10-03-Ohio-Trip/2001-10-10%20-%20warther's%20carving%20museum/index.html

[Tidewalker]

amazing. especially the ivory train.....

[Ashbys]

Rick ,
Thanks for the site , This was one of the first carvers I ever read about. What amazing work he produced . You can see the love he had for the trains, simply amazing and to know each part functions.

Ash

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Neat! For more info goto www.warthers.com

[AlArchie]

If you ever get a chance to stop by the Warther Museum, don't pass it up! As amazing as those site photos are, the pieces are even more amazing in person! And here's a suggestion....if you can get there a bit "off season" you will have a much better chance of speaking with the family and staff. And be sure to take the time to ask questions.....you will have a lot of them!

One question I had was about the type of lathe Mooney used. I was almost scolded...he DIDN"T use any type lathe or power tools. His carving was done with a pocket knife, although I didn't think to ask for their definition of a pocket knife. But from what it sounded like,it was just a plain old pocket knife, which makes these carvings all the more remarkable.

Al

[Ashbys]

Al ,
He made his own carving tools, and they still sell the knives that he developed. This is the business which funded the carvings. You can still order them but here is a look at the carving knives.
http://www.warthers.com/kitchen_kniv...5f731a5ea14c33

[AlArchie]

Thanks for that site, Ash!
Hmmmmm....I am sure they told me he did all his carving with "just a pocket knife". That is what shocked me most. Although carving those detailed items he did with even the BEST of carving blades is still a most remarkable feat. We did arrive after most of the "shopping area" was closed off and I only saw kitchen utensils in the section we got into. Looks like I'll have to make a return trip next time we're down in Ohio. I definitely want to see some of those Warther carving knives.

Al

[Just Carving]

Just a question of curiousity...

Those of you that Own a Warther's 1932 Model wood carving knife--the one with the notched handle--how is it to carve with? Does the notch get in the way when you carve away from you?

Thanks.

[mdallensr]

Dover, Ohio is about 1 1/2 hours from our home in Ohio, and one of my favorite places to visit. They have a good carving show, held in May for the last 2-3 years, and the Warther family is part of it.

I first visited the Warther Museum not long after I started carving. I was so amazed at his ability and capacity, I went home and didn't carve for about 3 months. I try to remember to not compare myself to others, but he was prodigious! Prepare to be humbled. He carved the history of the steam locomotive, including the Lincoln funeral train, in typical carving woods, then "retired" and did them again in ebony and ivory. He carved the ropes and chains that guarded the walkways around the locomotives! Most of the carvings move and still work!

He figured out how long it would take him to do a project and was never off by more than a few days for a year-long project. He had a little shop that is open at times; hand tools and hand-made tools. He made an interchangeable blade carving knife that looks a lot like the commercial varieties available today. Best of all, he was a regular guy, with a job and family, and carved in his spare time. Just amazing.