Huge 300 year old Savanah Oak Carving

Colin_Partridge · #1 07-17-2006, 06:26 PM

Hi gang,
Just got home from Toronto where I have been commissioned to do a bunch of carvings in a park in the middle of Toronto. Wouldnt you know it I picked the hottest day of the summer to undertake this project the temps were in the 90s here today. The carving is in a huge savanah red oak probably around 300 years old. The tree had been cut off a few years ago and had really dried out. The first thing I had to do was to remove the bark that was probably two to three inches thick. Mind you I could only get up so far as you can see by the pictures. Let me tell you carving oak that old is really tough it was like carving cement. The carving so far is 100% chainsaw I am not sure if my chisels will even touch it, I will find tomorrow. I have attatched pictures of the carving in its initial stages so you can see the progress. Yes I know I have that gatepost and animal totem to finish but I had committed to do these carvings. There are not enough hours in my day sometimes this carving thing has me really too busy for an old fart that has retired.
Colin

Ashbys · #2 07-17-2006, 07:04 PM

Colin,
Your amazing! I think I can see the sparks comming off that tree! Be carefull tomorrow, those chisels could chip on something that hard. But I love the progress pics, might consider adding a canvas to the top of your scafolding to get some sun protection, heat is suspose to be this way all week .

Ash

Irish · #3 07-17-2006, 08:25 PM

Colin??? How wide is that tree and how wide is that wood spirit. From your first picture with you and the saw in hand it looks massive !

Susan

Irishman · #4 07-17-2006, 09:30 PM

That's a big wood spirit! Its great to be busy as long as you enjoy it Colin. I hope to be able to do the same when I retire.
Patrick

wood-whittler · #5 07-17-2006, 09:30 PM

colin,

looks great cant wait to see it finished.

bart

Kenny_S · #6 07-17-2006, 10:26 PM

Looks huge to me my friend. Hope you are wearing sun screen.
BTW Colin, IT looks great.

Mark N. Akers · #7 07-18-2006, 05:50 AM

Colin:
Wait a minute it don't get that hot in Canada does it.Just kidding,down here in the south this is just another July day.Great job on the woodspirit.

squbrigg · #8 07-18-2006, 06:36 AM

That's a big tree Colin, are you carving the rest of it too?

Great start.

Bob

Colin_Partridge · #9 07-19-2006, 04:54 PM

Here is a picture of the big Savanah Oak finished. I only got into the picture so you could see how big this tree is.
Colin

Ashbys · #10 07-19-2006, 05:07 PM

Colin,

It is great! Did you use Sikkens ? Or is that the teak finish ? Really stands out.

Nice Mate very nice .

Ash