[Cut_Fingers]

I guess I'll do it also.

Hello all, My name in Jim Shelton. I was born in Memphis, TN & later moved to Mississippi. Where I have reached the ripe old age of 41, but that changes this year. lol

I have always played with knives, even as a small child. I seem to remember spending my allowance money on non-folding & pocket knives. While a early child, I spent most of my time at one of those country Full Service Gas Stations. The guys there were like my surogate(sp) family. They spent many hours baby setting me (& enjoying themselves as well, I guess) by playing the guitar, sharpening their pocket knives, whittling - just creating chips (no carvings that I remember), and removing the nickle slugs that I would put in the Coke & Nab machines. They never fussed at me about the slugs & I would always get a coke. They taught me to sharpen knives. I remember the old test we used to tell if your knife was sharp, by shaving your forearm hair. I also remember using broken coke bottles to shave wood on a "Billy Clud" that I gave to one of my neighbors. She was actually my baby-sitter.

I have always carried a pocket knife. Even to school, I think that is a big No-No now.

About 2 years ago, I cut some peach tree limbs and did some power carving on it. I guess you would call it styilized, I called it form carving. Also I put the pocket knife and an X-acto to the peach wood. Very tough carving Peach & Pear wood with those instruments.

About 6 months ago or better, I found this board. Since then, my tool collection has grown to 20 knives & gouges, several books & strops & compounds. I just wish my ability to carve would be directly proportionate to the number of tools I have. All of my tools are stored in a Walmart tackle box right next to my carving area, which is my recliner.

I do mostly relief & NTR carvings. For some reason, I'm stuck on heads now. It seems like every wood blank I pick-up turns into some variation of a human head.

I have learned more since I found the board & really appreaciate all the knowledge & willingness to share that knowledge from all you guys & Gals.

I look forward to getting to know you all better & increasing my carving abilities. I'm going to join a local carving club next month.

Thanks
Jim

[squbrigg]

Hey Jim, welcome to the gang. Whittling, carving, sculpting or just making pointed sticks, it all fun and relaxing. Hope we get to see some of those heads you're making.

Bob

[Kenny_S]

Welcome Jim!!!! Glad to have you here. All I can say is practice, Practice and practice some more. What help me was study block or sticks and I could not carve a face that looked decent. May not still yet but they are better and at least the eyes are across from each other now instead of one up and one down.


keep the chips flying and with each new carving, your ability will improve.