A challenging carving!

[farleyre]

I started this one from a Harvey Refsal pattern for Oskar. The wood was brittle beyond belief, pieces kept chipping off and I had to make many adjustments.

I need to find a supply of "quality" basswood. I have been using a box of loose ends I bought from a local wood store. This pattern sat for 2 weeks before I carved it, I think that might have been the problem.

Anyway, thanks for looking, pic attached!

-kurt

[Nomad]

Oskar looks a little grumpy.

Good job of hanging in there. Good basswood is a joy to carve. Stock up if you can.

[brent]

The carving looks really good as far as I can tell. Try Heincke (not sure of spelling), walllumber.com, just to throw out some names. I'm sure the others on here will have some more.

[Mark Dellinger]

Kurt,

Its been awhile since I have seen Oskar, but I recognized him immediately, that being said you accomplished what you were setting out to do. Good Job. As for the wood, next time you might spray it with a little water alcohol mix, I have heard that this helps in some cases. I think I recall Gene Messer demonstrating this on one of his you tube videos and it seemed to make a difference. Keep up the good work.

Safe Carving and God Bless,

Mark

[farleyre]

Thanks, I have not figured out how to carve a smile yet..

Originally Posted by Nomad

Oskar looks a little grumpy.

Good job of hanging in there. Good basswood is a joy to carve. Stock up if you can.

[Eddy-Smiles]

Kurt...

A couple of weeks one way or the other shouldn't be a factor on the wood. It all depends on how it was cured in the first place and when and where it was harvested. You don't have where your from so it's hard to tell what kind of basswood you're using. If your in the states try giving either of the following two folks a call and make an order from them. They'll get you some prime northern basswood at a fair price. The postage is what it is but that's the cost of being a carver. It's either postage or gas. You have to get your wood someway.

Heinecke Wood Products

Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers Supply

[uvawyo]

He looks good like Oscar a kind of unhappy Oscar but that is understandable considering the trouble you had, Try soaking or spraying that dry wood in a 50/50 alcohol and water mixture

[farleyre]

I live in Southeastern VA..... not sure where the basswood came from. I bought a bunch of end pieces and scraps that were left over after they milled some blocks.

I have ordered some new blocks from chippingaway and heineckewood, so we will see.

-kurt

[gene-messer]

Kurt .. your doing so well .. great job on Oscar

Gene