[squbrigg]

Every once in a while, I'll get the urge to do something different. Outside my comfort zone, so I thought about a Polar Bear cane.....why not. You don't see many around!

I'm being brave.....this is in the early stages, just rough carved, still have to power carve/shape some and burn in hair and then paint. But.....it is beginning to take shape, isn't it? Looks a bit like a gopher at this stage, but hopefully it will take on a more bear like shape. If not, anybody need some firewood?

I am seeking some guidance, pointers, a good honest critique,... I want to get the basic shape down before I go on. I know the head isn't quite wide enough, but any wider and the cane will be too top heavy. Comments please.

Bob

[Kenny_S]

I believ you have captured the Polar bear look amigo. Very nice start Bob.

[Paul_Guraedy]

Bob, you have the head shape of a polar bear down very well. Looks like it will be an interesting head for a cane. I do have one thing that bothers me about the carving. I can't visualize a bear without teeth. Maybe it's just me and hopefully others will speak up and tell me not to worry about this aspect.

How are you going to finish it? Debbe Edwards did a marvelous finish on a polar bear by simply using a wood bleach.

It does us all good to "do something different" now and then. Good carving my friend.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Geez Paul, be kind, its an "old" bear and his teeth aren't back from the lab yet!

[Paul_Guraedy]

Never thought of that!! Now, I know how to carve the teeth. Wow, I could even use them in whatever carving is on display. Hi Ho, your a genius.

[Kenny_S]

Paul, Your going to give OLD Dave the big head.

[Anthony Filetti]

Bob,
Great start, I think its gonna be cool.

Having seen one of these beasts up close and personal at our local zoo, I think you hit the nail on the head the basic shape is there but there head needs to be wider, up close the head is about double the width of the average human head and the snout appears shorter than say a black bear.

Keep up the great work!!

[squbrigg]

Funny you should mention teeth Paul!!! I am going to "try" and carve and install the 4 big front ones, carving them out of Lynx teeth! Should be a hoot! A friend and fellow carver, he's an Inuit stone carver, gave them to me and told me to give them a try. His work is amaizing, he's done a Polar Bear head complete with all the teeth in a letter opener!!! It sold though, wish I had bought it. Maybe he'll do one for me.

He doesn't have a web site , yet, but his friend and fellow carver, also Inuit, has a site at www.inuitstonecarving.com they are two really nice young men and both vert talented carvers.

I have enough to do two carvings, so I thought a Polar Bear and an African Lion....but we'll see.

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by Kenny_S

Paul, Your going to give OLD Dave the big head.

"Old Dave"! remember, I've seen YOUR picture ha ha

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Hey Bob, how about a Bobcat or Cougar? and looking at your bear and the shape of the handle, made me think a squirrel would look great too, the tail being the handle