[Thor]

Thanks ya'll for the comments. I honestly don't feel like I'm in a race, but sometimes I wonder why I'm not finishing things when so many of you are, and they are so good. Like Ash has been Mr. Super Carver of late with the TWO Stonewalls! , and those 40 some odd Santas, and the awesome door project, and Susan's tutorial, and Dylan's bridge, and so many others.
I'm glad to hear the positive on the thistle box, and I think once it's finished, I'll be pleased with it.
The ale bowl or horse rough out, will be challenging. I have never carved cherry before, and I wish I had a scrap to practice on as Ash suggested, but this is all I have. Erno's gift will be a one-time-shot.

Susan, I may take pictures of my steps, but I'm not sure I'll post them. The first-try-syndrome leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to others learning from it. The picture is just of what Erno did so far. I will start work on it today though. Just what I needed, another distraction project.
Thor

[Ashbys]

Thor,
If you send me a pm with address i will send you a piece of cherry .

Now that said, Cherry being a fruit tree is very hard when dry. If you were a power carver I would just say , don't over press the wood. But since your mostly hand tools,
Cherry has a tendency to chip and break, make clean connecting cuts. And expect to hone alot. It will feal almost waxy as it cuts and the cuts will not be deep. Cherry is considered a sculpture wood, It is as hard as very dry black walnut but has a running grain which cut the wrong direction could break the head off in a blink.
The cherry I have worked with hand tools , small cuts and is almost like shaving, the detail is awesome the work can be strenous .

Ash

[Graywolf71]

Beautiful work Thor. And i know what your saying, i couldn't figure out how these guys could produce so darn fast either. That is untill i started with woodspirits, but that's all i do when i'm home is carve, and i have a VERY understanding wife thank god...lol!
But i agree with them on this one, speed isn't important, it's the love of carving!

Michael Gray

[Thomp]

Thor,

I certinly hope its not a race otherwise im way behind..

artistic license allows us to preform best when we feel like it. to do our best works,
due to medical & medication setbacks im in the back of the pack as for production, left weak and dizzy from the effort of just reading about all the wonderful projects going on here on wci..
so many ideas so little basswood... time and effort.

be artistic and take a break when you need it ..... enjoy carving dont make it a job dont loose your enjoyment in your hobby-craft due to deadlines and commitments....

[Kenny_S]

well said Thomp. Sometimes I get frustrated because My tools set there for days even weeks and nothing. Was that way till the Tusla Wood show earlier this month and got inspired a little. Got some carvings completed and some more in various stages and two I have to complete for other people and still the Fireman sets there staring at me. Ho Hum,

Hope you are feeling better and above all my friend, take care of yourself first.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Everyone keeps telling people to "practice, practice, practice" and that doesn't mean race! What happens is that the carvings get better each time and you also get faster, thats because you are not as intimidated as when we first start carving, I don't give it much of a thought anymore, as I have found carving is much like painting, make a mistake and you can fix it! lol....this from "Mr Fix-it"!

[squbrigg]

Thor.....like Ash mentions, Cherry is a beautiful wood to carve, but it has some charactistics that you need to be aware of. I carve lots of it these days, and love it. It will chip and split if you're aren't careful. and sometimes even if you are! LOL but it is well worth the effort. I'd suggest power carving the cup and heads, but edge tools will work just as well. I'm glad Ash is fixing you up with some Cherry to practice on, you really should try some practice first, if you've never carved it before.

I'll be anxious to see what you do with the cup and heads, interesting piece. Should look great! Best of luck with it.

Bob

[Thor]

Bob, I agree with you about the cherry, and thankfully, Ash is going to send me a practice piece. I'll not touch the other until the practice piece arrives. I don't have any power carving tools, so it will have to be with my hand tools. If the Vikings could do it, then I should be able to. I hear they didn't have power tools either. He he he.
Thomp, I hope you feel better soon. You are an encouraging voice on this board.
For three hours this morning I helped a neighbor build a lap carving station (built one for me too) and showed her how to carve a Santa head ornament. She's caring for her father (over 6 years now in a wheel chair and diapers) all alone now since her mom passed away last Christmas day. She is enthusiastic about carving and hopefully, it will help her make a little extra money someday as well. I enjoyed the time just as much as her.
Thor

[Tom H]

Thomas, I like the way you think! Carving is to be enjoyable, even it's a job. Carving can be relaxing, fun, and yes sometimes frustrating. But when it gets frustrating, I set it aside foer a few minutes and do something else - like cut a new blank...Hope you're feelin better/stronger...Tom H