[Just Carving]

If you don't want to drill a hole in your bench or table, clamp a 4-6" wide board to the bench--sort of like the "birdsbeak" type set-up, so it hangs far enough from your bench for you to work comfortably close to your tools, and then use the rope--either go around the board and the carving, or maybe better yet, use a 6-8" board and drill two holes in the board for the rope. Should work well if the board is firmly clamped to the board.

I'm using my 4" wide "birdsbeak" board with the rope with no holes and it works good. One thing I like is I can double or even triple up on the rope loops going around the board and carving if the carving is so small that I can't put pressure on the rope because it is too long. If you spread the loops of rope out so it wraps the top, middle and bottom of the carving, it holds it even better--no twisting of the carving on the "birdsbeak".

[Mike_B]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Bob D., I did see the article and picture using the clamp, but my brain didn't even think of it.

At the present time I am using pine branches 3 to 4 inches in diameter for my spoons and salad sets. I really like the color and the grain pattern with the growth rings and little knots after the oil is applied.

I think for now I'm going to make a birdsbeak type board with a channel in to support the round branch and hold it down with a cord.

It probably would be fun to try a bent knife also.

OH MY Soooo much to learn and do and so little time for all this fun.