Tagua frog

[mateo]

I thought I would post a few images of my newest project. The tagua nut frog. I would also like to invite you all to my blog to see a step by step demonstration of how I work. ( Not enough info to call it a tutorial )
MatthewGrimes's Blog

[Bill]

I like your Frog, I have carved a few Tagua nuts. Hope to do more when I get a little extra time.
Good Job on the Frog.....
Bill

[Ron T]

Hi Mateo,

It's good to see your new carvings. He's a really cute little guy. It inspires me to do something with my tagua nuts. I still haven't begun.

[TreeWizard]

I've thought about it for some time now. If you had to compare the hardness with any kind of wood, which would it be?

[mateo]

Thanks for the kind words Ron and Bill.
I don't know about comparable hardness to wood, Treewiz. I guess its harder than any wood that I have carved but there is no grain to fight with, so there's the trade off. Its a fun material to whittle as long as you don't mind stopping to strop your blade early and often. I recommend giving it a try, if you can find some.

[windsong]

Way to cool!!!!Great Job
Vic

[Robert Cahill]

Some nice carvings on your blog. Any advice for fist time taqua nut carvers. Such as do you carve it dry or do you wet it?

[Dan Wegiel]

Very cute little frog.

Dan

[mateo]

I know that some people advise soaking them but I tried it once and did not notice much difference. When your blade stops slicing and starts chipping its time for the strop.

If you use your hand in place of a vise you can expect to bleed.....but you already knew that.

[wildhare]

Wow. You do very fine work. I love your frog and your Grandmothers gift. Can you do a tutorial on how you did it?
I sliced one and carved a cameo but I found the center hollow. Is that usual or just the one I found?
Wanda