[AlArchie]

I think that as long as this is a SUBJECTIVE matter and not an OBJECTIVE one, there will be differing opinions.

Kind of like the question "How far can you go into the woods?" The objective answer is halfway. The subjective answer depends on whether you know where you are or if you are lost! Anyone who has been lost in the woods, knows there ain't no halfway!

It all depends on your point of view!

Al

[Ron D]

Originally Posted by Paul_Guraedy

Ash, your recent post shed a lot of light onto this topic, at least for me.

There are some topics that will never die nor or they willing to be "beat to death" (how to sharpen, hand carved, sandpaper, art or craft). These are subjects that seem to force us "old timers" to respond, even if it is only to say, "Oh No! Not again!" They draw our attention like magnets. This morning I read the other posts, started to leave and then decided to see what was happening to this long thread.

Nothing new. Then I read Ash's thoughts on why "hand carved" is important and, more to the point, to whom it is important. Like a cartoon character a light bulb went off in my head.

The hand carved statement is generally used when addressing the unknowing public. When a piece appears to have the potential for mass production. When they have a good deal of money at stake and want assurance they are not being ripped off. When they don't know the carver.

Interestingly, most of these folks seem to assume that hand carved does refer only to a pocket knife. I have actually been asked about one of my birds, "You carved THAT with a knife?" I had to explain gouges, rasps, flex-shaft, etc. Now, I get through that part in a hurry as I have come to realize that they are really interested only in the first three words of their question.

I sell only a few pieces each year and always before the carving is finished. The question of "hand carved" is not germaine as they see the carving in its various stages (even if only through photos). They could not care less about the tools used in its production. What seems to interest them most is revealed in the statements they make to people viewing the completed carving: That eagle was purple when he started to paint it. Those wings (tail, feet) are really separate pieces. Those feathers are burned. Paul Guraedy is a woodcaver and carved that for me (emphasis usually placed on the last two words even if it was not purchased until nearly complete).

In the short version: Hand carved is not important to those who know the carver or know something about carving, unless they feel it necessary to defend their purchase.

exactly very well said

[Kenny_S]

Just like the durcell Bunny, It keeps going and going and going and going!
It sure ain't no wind up toy! For sure.

[Ashbys]

Bob , since you want to play a bit with this......

the answer is simple, if your preparing the wood to be carved, your not caving.

Ash

[BobD]

Ah...but at what is the dividing point between preparing the wood and actually carving? Say, for instance, if instead of getting a plank from a sawmill, you carve a totem pole in a log. Are you carving from the first time a draw knife hits the log removing the bark, or only after the design is traced onto the log and you start carving...

If it's when the design is transfered to the log and you are carving the shape, wouldn't you technically be carving after transferring the pattern to the blank and cutting it out on the bandsaw...

Ipon...as we used to say when I was a fencer (with swords, not stolen goods...)

Bob (who will soon need a longer-handled spoon if he keeps stirring this pot; luckily he is not allergic to bees <grin>)

[Ashbys]

Bob,

If your removing the back to open it to be a part of the finished product I would consider that carving as the bark being removed is showing part of the finished product .

If your just removing it to get rid of it and the wood underneath is not to be a part of the finished prduct , why would you use a draw knife . But wait isn't a draw knife a knife .... oh yea that is hand carving .

lol
Ash

[carver6]

Bob,
I think maybe you ought to get started on that longer handled spoon. Are you going to "hand carve" it??
Garon

[BobD]

I haven't been able to keep from chewing my fingernails long enough to sharpen them for carving...so I'll have to "tool carve" it.

Bob

[Kenny_S]

Rotflmho!!!

[Ashbys]

Bob,
I read in an old National Geographic that the some of the old tribes of Southeast Asia often chew the wood to make it workable. ...

So if you want to file your teeth , a riffler should work, then you can have a hand carved set of wood working tools and won't need a tool roll

Bob the mouth carver !

Ash