Window Brace #3 - Chip Carved

[kitaye]

Here is the 3rd and currently last chip carved window brace. This one took hours of time to carve. I estimate that I worked 3-4 hours a night every night from March to mid-June.

The finish is antique walnut gel with a second coat of teak gel to bring out the red a little. Finally the whole thing was coated with spar-urethane to make it weather proof.

We have a total of eight window braces in the house and 3 have now been carved. I suspect each will get some form of treatment. The flat sides lend themselves very well to chip carving though I do wish I had made them from basswood instead of pine. Perhaps I will give a try at relief carving on one or two.

[Tom-H]

Very impressive! Wish I still had my old windows....Thats no ordinary chip carved piece...very special...Tom H

[Joy]

That's beautiful. I love the flower on the lattice work.

[kitaye]

Thank you.

[chuckt]

Wow! Very impressive work. I can see where that kind of detail would take hours to carve. I've not tried chip carving (yet) but have been interested. Too busy learning to carve woodspirits in bark & sticks, and relief carve panels. Someday I hope to though. I have read about the techniques though and I can see why it would be so time intensive. Quite beautiful designs and execution.

Well done. Out of curiousity, why do you say you wish you'd used Basswood instead of Pine. Easier to carve or better at holding detail?

ChuckT

[Coffeeman]

Excellent job and what a wonderful project you took on, you'll get much enjoyment out of using them this summer and I'm sure much of praise from everyone that see's them. Great job. Bill

[kitaye]

Thank you ChuckT and Bill.

I have found that basswood is more consistant in density so it is easier to get a good, clean cut. I've only ever done a couple of practice cuts on basswood but it seems like it will hold the detail better and give you more control over the cuts themselves.

Pine can vary so much that it is easy to lose control of the cut and break the detailing out. This is especially the case if the knife is starting to lose it's edge or if you are tired.