Step by step African elephant in bone

[Ron T]

Before posting this thread, I carefully read " That Ain't Woodcarving" posted by whittlinwill so I hope this doesn't offend anyone.

As some of you know, I have a neuro-muscular disease that causes my muscles to get progressively weaker. It has forced me to stop using my knives so I have made the transition to power carving. Many of my face book friends have encouraged me to try soapstone and bone carving. This is my second carving and I am enjoying it a lot. The best thing about bone is I'm not fighting with the grain. It is a very smooth material and does not rip, split or chip out.

This isn't really a tutorial but I wanted to show the steps that I took in carving this African elephant.

[Ron T]

It still has to be sanded and I have to cut a loop on the top for a cord. Then, I will cut it loose from the rest of the bone which I use to hold while carving.

[cb1959]

Keep at it, it looks real good. Some time back I researched tonga nuts to carve. Some netsuke carvers do a varity of power work too on bone and hard woods.
Some of their work is exceptional.
Charlie

[Ron T]

Thank you Charlie. I have a couple of Tagua nuts that I'm planning on carving one of these days.

[Mr. Chips]

Great job Ron!
I like it! Thanks for posting.
Randy

[cb1959]

Here is the way I was going to try and hold the nuts. I was going to buy a jewlers vice from Harber freight and use it to hold them. Have not tried it yet but I think it would work well. I have also used carpet tape stuck to a piece of wood and then to the small item I was power carving. That works pretty well and is easy to remove with little glue left behind if you do not leave it attached for too long. Any left can be cleaned up with acetone.
Charlie

[fly fisher]

Another Great piece Ron thanks for sharing it with us it made me smile while looking at it

[Merle Rice]

Hi Ron, I think you found a way to express your carving skills and doing it very well. You have a lot of Desire to create Hand carved pieces and I feel you will get a lot of Satisfaction with the Power Tools. Looking with great interest in seeing your future work. Merle

[Sean R]

Hi Ron, First off I would not worry about that post as I think most of the carvers love to see any type of carving in any medium. As for the Elephant that is amazing! I am glad you can continue to carve and hope you keep posting more stuff you make.

[Tom Ellis]

He is looking great Ron, If you did him the other direction, it would make a great neckerchief slide. What are you doing with him when you free him from the rest of the bone?

Tom