[Dale Thomas]

Pura Vida = Costa Rican slang for "Hello!"

I haven't carved much but turkeys and hams for many years, but I want to get back into the hobby of wood carving. I live in Costa Rica where I am very active in the local scout group. I'm eager to carve neckerchief slides, and I'd like to try reproducing in wood some primitive landscape paintings I've seen here. Many years ago I did some large carvings in wood based on some Mexican stone carvings. It was fun and it did a good job of showing me just how ignorant I was (and still am) about carving. When I lived in Brazil, I tried my hand at making a small "gamela", a wooden bowl used to hold raw meat that is about to be barbecued. It was a humbling experience. I'm slowly learning about woods here. Many are beautiful but are simply not suitable for beginners. A local furniture maker has promised to give me some advice and samples of woods he likes. Pura Vida!

[AlArchie]

Welcome, Dale!
Here's a link to a whole slew of neckerchief slide designs. The last listing onthis page is a link to the old Boy's Life slide of the month page. If you were a Scout during the 50's or 60's, these should jog your memory. I believe these were done for the mag by a gent known then as "Whittlin' Jim" or maybe it was "Whittlin' Bill". Either way these are classics.

Some of the other links have some good slides and some pretty crude, but all seem to be good ideas.

Woggle World - Home of the Boy Scout Neckerchief Slide!

Al

[Dale Thomas]

Al, I don't see the link in your message. I certainly remember Whittlin' Jim. By the way, I've ordered a neckerchief slide book from Amazon.com. It should reach me any day. Thanks a lot! - Dale

[AlArchie]

Sorry, Dale, here it is......Woggle World - Home of the Boy Scout Neckerchief Slide!

Al

[Dale Thomas]

Al, you've sent me a wonderful link! What great ideas! I'm passing it on to a young man in Panama who makes wonderful slides. He's going to love it. Thanks a million! - Dale

[Mottles]

Hello Dale and welcome,
Kathy

[AlArchie]

Just found this link to what seems to be the complete archive of Whittlin' Jim's "Slide of the Month".

http://www.crwflags.com/4rd/x-bonus.pdf

I have the original Boy's Life reprint, but this seems to be even more complete.

There are some good ideas here for carvers to use for walking sticks and wood spirits, etc, too. These are put out therte to use, so my bet would be go ahead and use what you want!

Here's still more...I knew Hill was a prolific carver but had forgotten just HOW prolific.
Slides - Whittling Jim pattens, Mike Ward collection

Al

[mdallensr]

Hi Dale: Can't help on the neckerchief slides. But, can you help on a retirement place in Costa Rica? If so, I'll come down and help you with your scout troop. I've been studying Costa Rica since we hosted an exchange student from there a couple of years ago, and it seems Costa Rica and Panama are great places for Americans looking to retire. What's your opinion on that? Best regards. Mike

[Thor]

Hi Dale,
I enjoyed visiting Costa Rica when my daughter was working there a couple of years ago. She just returned from a teaching trip last week, and my son just flew there this week to study. My son-in-law to be is there for the summer. I feel like it's a possibility that I may live there someday due to all of their activity there as they are all biologists.

While I was there, I went through some of the scrap piles of wood that were left over from building some new casitas, and the 2 X 4's were mahogany. I felt kind of horrified, but I did pick up a piece to bring home with me.

Do you have any web pages anywhere that could show us pictures of where you live in Costa Rica?

Welcome to the forum.
Thor

[Ron T]

Welcome Dale,

I can only imagine and dream of what a wonderful country you're in. Lots of exotic woods and a myriad of new sights and sounds to explore.

Good luck w/ the scouts and your carving.