[Bob_in_TN]

Very nice, Dave! They look like a lot of fun.

[Mark N. Akers]

Dave:
Great job on carving on the corners,thats a lot of fun.

[stickman]

Very cool ,I also carry a chunk of wood and my carving jack most places I go just in case I get some idle time.

How long have you had your carving jack?I've only picked mine up about 2months ago.

hows the edge holding up.

mine is holding up pretty good but I haven't beat on it to much yet.

again those are nice block heads. keep the chips flying Mike

[Lightningbolt]

Ron: After reading your comments I Googled "Carving Blockheads" and the book with the same title popped up so I assume that's the one you've got. Looks like I'll have to get it now too!!

When I started carving them I honestly didn't know that such a thing existed but obviously I must have seen some at some point and the idea was just tucked away in the back of my head until now. I even woodburned the word "Blockhead" on the rear side of each one but I guess that "my" idea wasn't so unique after all. Oh,well... They're still fun!!!

Georgia Carver & Eddy: I'm not sure about putting an article together just yet (eventhough I have been published in several, and one BIG magazine on other topics, I just don't think that I have the time it requires right now. These simple very portable projects are what really appeals to me when I see them in WCI however! So all WCI writer's, please take note!!

Irishman: Hey, thank's for the new idea's refering to Disney character's and such. I think that I'll Google them right now!!

Appreciate all the interest since this is quite a "catchy" little project and I'll put up any more that I might come up with. Also, feel free to post your own right here if you wish.

[Eddy Smiles]

Lightningbolt!... No problem. I fully understand the words " time crunch!" I saved your pictures and your brief explanation and will keep them in my carving notebook for reference. I just need to get some 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" stock. The other day I took the wife to the dentist and knocked out a dog in the parking lot while I waited for her. Maybe the next time she goes I'll try my hand at one of your blockheads! Anyway, thanks for the great idea!

[Lightningbolt]

Eddy: The wood that I used was some extraordinary soft white pine that I got from some of the local furniture factory surplus. The furniture business is huge in western North Carolina and they donate it to our school woodshop program in obsurd excess so I've got plenty of stock to choose from for my "fun" carving projects. While basswood is an obvious good choice I've also got pretty good at choosing a good 2 X 4 for carving at the local lumber yard.

As for carving in the parking lot I can cetainly relate. Perhaps security has never paid me much attention but I have also been known to generate quite the pile of shavings on a piece of newspaper in my lap while in the waiting room at the ER of our local hospital... not to mention the traffic jams that I've fell victim to.

Stickman: Oops... I blew right over the opportunity that you gave me to elaborate on my Carvin' Jack so here I go now...

I got my "CJ" (Carving Jack) BEFORE they were released for sale... or to be exact, I paid for it in advance for a substantial discount but had to wait for its release a few months later... paid about $100.00 I think.

Anyhow, I've had it since they first came out maybe about 3 years ago? The best things that I like about it is that it's a near-complete carving set in one nice, neat little package that is practical to always have on me 24/7 if need be. I'd rather be using my regular more bulky carving tools because I have much more variety in choice for particular situations so the CJ is somewhat limiting with just it's 6 fixed blades... but once again, it makes carving possible when otherwise I'd just be sitting in a traffic jam getting frustrated.

On the other side of the coin I wouldn't reccomend a CJ for a brand new beginning carver. I still think that a more "solid" carving set like the Swiss Made palm tools are MUCH more durable for the learning process. Flex Cut tools are, in my opinion, VERY good tools but I look mainly at their style of blades as a "compliment" to my more solid carving tools. Flex Cut tools are generally very sharp and are the best tool for the job in certain situations, but the steel is generally thinner than most of my other tools so they are usually broken more often with beginner carvers who are still learning how to use their tools.

I run a school woodshop program with a very strong carving program and the Flex Cut tools wouldn't last a day on the table there, but I've been using mine for years. So, I guess what I'm saying is that the CJ is a very good knife but I still probably wouldn't reccomend it to a begining carver. Yes, the edges on ALL of my blades are holding up extremely well and I only rarely have to touch them up... great tool for several years and counting, but I also know what its limits are.

Hope that I didn't give you more information than you wanted but I can be quite the "rambler". Thanks for your kind comments!

[santagibbs]

Dave,I too like the expressions on the faces..Looks like fun carving..Charlotte

[stickman]

Thanks for the reply and your opinion on the flex cut tools .I also like my cj but because I am new to carving (relatively) I appreciate your thoughts .I also thought the blade\edges were thin so I have been extra careful with it .

And no you did not give to much info

Mike

[woodtrapper]

Good job Dave,I liked the way you used the corners to get the nose out there.

[Tom H]

Dave, How much longer will it be until you post the next generation of blockheads? You know! those that are really small...Tom H