Wax Inlay

[MackTheKnife]

More experiments in wax inlay. This was done in birch which, experience to date tells me, should hold the detail fine without being overly worried about breakout. The top border was done with the traditional chip carving technique: draw a line and make cuts on either side of the line. The bottom border was done with a kohlrosing knife: each line is a single cut. The triangles within the borders were done by pressing the point of the kohlrosing knife into the wood at about a 45 degree angle and then rotating the knife around its axis a little to widen the base of the triangle. The birch behaved really well, not trying to break out toward the edge of the wood like the aspen did. It could also be that I learned a better technique after the first time. I wasn't as careful as I should have been with the kohlrosing knife, though I didn't see that until I looked at the photo. I've really got to get better light! I like both techniques, but I think each has a different application. You could get a lot more decoration per square millimeter with the kohlrosing knife.

I also learned that wax, like wood, is stronger in compression than it is in tension. What this means is this: when trimming off the excess wax, cut from either end towards the middle of the line of wax you laid down. If you don't, as you get near the end of the line you are likely to pull the wax off, taking what's down in the cuts with it. Also, trim the wax off in thin slices. If you try to take off everything above the wood surface in one go, you will put upward pressure on the wax and pull it out of the cuts. Also (again!) if the bottom of your cut is a little rough, no big deal. It'll be covered by the wax, AND that rough surface will help the wax cling to the wood and make it harder to be pulled out.

Right now I'm going out into the garage to start working on a birch spoon that I'm going to use one or both of these techniques on.

[Robson Valley]

Pretty neat, Mack. Looks very Scandinavian,. Ever used ski wax? Has a fairly high melting point. What are you using? I can't find your other thread where you might have made a note of that.
I can't help but wonder if the stick and all was warmed up, could you use a scraper to clear off the excess without staining the other wood?
I'd cut the line then use a skew for the grooves. The 1/2" NAREX skews are an absolute dream now that I've cut them back to 20 degrees from 25 (Tools Forum).

[AL...]

Thats lookin great Bob
Its gonna be intresting to see where you go with the wax inlay
Thanks for sharing mate
Cheers
AL

[MackTheKnife]

Thanks, Robson. Actually it's French, indigenous to Brittany. Here's the link to my previous thread: Proof of Concept Wax Inlay

There you can find the product I used and other explanations. Not being a ski-er I had never considered ski wax, but I suspect that it doesn't come in colors.

Actually, staining the wood can be prevented by using a sanding sealer before starting the carving. I think softening the wax would make it easier to pull it out of the grooves as you are removing the excess.

Thanks for the suggestion about the skew chisels, but I've cut myself more frequently and more seriously with chisels and gouges than I've ever done with a knife, so I tend to avoid them. Another of my irrational prejudices, but 'tis my own.

Besides the kohlrosing knife is specifically designed for scribing lines in wood that are intended to be filled with a contrasting substance. I just need to learn to use it more skillfully.

Thanks again for your input. Lord knows, I need all the help I can get!

[MackTheKnife]

Thanks, Al. I'm hoping to finish at least one of the spoons I have in process this weekend. I've attached a photo of the spoon I've taken the furthest. I still haven't decided which parts to inlay and which to leave proud, but it will come to me.

[Robson Valley]

That spoon does look good!
I don't pretend to understand how they work but often, ski waxes come color coded for the snow temperature. On the North Shore in Vancouver, some resorts have lights for night skiing. If the temp was above freezing +/- rain, we used silver wax. That stuff was FAST!

[LBlake]

That's very nifty, Bob! Looking forward to seeing more.

[mobjack68]

Don't discount the use of crayons for your wax. Already colored for you. Some crayons are harder than others so you can experiment a little more...
Great idea, neat stuff..

[MackTheKnife]

Here's an update on the stuff that's working well. The kohlrosing knife is a real champ as far as I'm concerned.

[AL...]

Bob that looks fantastic mate .. It realy pop's well done mate
Thanks for sharin

Cheers
AL