relief carving clean up?

[tm5825]

After the carving how do you clean up the carving that makes them look so good. I carved this crest of my for fathers its not bad I guess but it has a lot of tool marks in it. Do you sand them out or use the knifes to clean it up. I wish I had someone close to me. I have to do it by practice I guess. I don't know.
Tony

[pallin]

You have done an excellent job on the crest. The tools marks are not obvious in the photo. It must have been a challenge to carve the crest in such a variable wood - looks like Douglas Fir.
In answer to your question, the best way is to make very clean cuts. Some carvers use sandpaper, but it's tough to get around small details or undercuts in a relief carving.

[tm5825]

Yes it is Douglas Fir and I did it in 2 days. Now I got to find the stains to color it. They make stain that you can mix your self. I just have to find them. I make the knife that I use on the crest out of a industrial band saw blade. I help work in a machine shop. We broke a 1" blade and I use it to make my knifes that I need. Thank you for your answers. I'll guess I learn to do it. Thank you again very much. Tony

[pallin]

Staining the Douglas Fir is a subject in itself. The alternate growth bands are hard and soft, so the stain will penetrate differently. I suggest that you try your staining process on some scrap.

[tm5825]

Thank you I will. I want to be able to mix my own when I get the dye stains. I'll try at on a scrape piece of wood. I got to oder some basswood from somewhere. Do you know of a good place? Tony

[pallin]

This topic has been asked many times on this forum. The usual recommendation is:

Heinecke Wood Products

[Claude]

Tony:
I agree with Phil - the carving itself looks great! While you're trying your stains on scrap, try a piece of scrap that you've used a sealer on - this will sometimes help prevent the stain from spreading into areas where you don't want it, and it also can help keep the soft areas in the grain from soaking up too much color.

Claude

[tm5825]

Thank you all for the help. Tony