A CARVED WOODEN ANGEL HERALDS THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS WITH THE HOPE AND PEACE OF LOVE AS FAMILY AND FRIENDS CELEBRATE AGAIN THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS
~DON AND FRANCES

SIDEWINDER II is put to the test carving a puppy in a sock that measures three and half inches by and inch and half sawed out blank.  A series of photographs will show the knife blade making a variety of cuts to shape the basic form of the puppy and the sock as well as making cuts that will set up the carving of the details of the carving.  The position of the knife blade will indicate which part of the dog legged SIDEWINDER II blade is being used to accomplish that particular cut.  It will help to view these first three photos of the completed carving to compare with the carving in progress photos. Read the rest of this entry »

HELVIE KNIVES announces the introduction of the SIDE WINDER and SIDE WINDER II of the WOOD BEE CARVER ~ Signature Series Knives.

The SIDE WINDER and SIDE WINDER II blades have three cutting edges: “A” represents a longer cutting edge with a reverse skew angle used for general slicing cuts. “B” represents a curved cutting edge that can be used as a mini bull nose gouge as well as for making controlled stop cuts. “C” represents a curved skew cutting edge to be used for getting into tight areas and mini slicing actions. Read the rest of this entry »

On Saturday, November 22, 2014, eleven students gathered at the Woodcraft Store in Centerville, OH for a one day carving class on the subject of carving a Santa Ornament. Students who survived the Whittle-Carving class were: Aaron Davies, Lane Andrianoff, James Canfield, Richard Achor, Joshua Grimes, Doug Schneider, Jason Gordon, Michael Sheils, Karen Terry, Max Litke and Teresa Balsbaugh. The two photos above are of teachable moments as the students were intent in learning from the various exercises leading up to carving a Santa ornament from instructor Don Mertz, the WOOD BEE CARVER. Read the rest of this entry »

My good friend, Jim Hecker, continues to advance his style of carving through his journey of carving. This photographic journey of some of his recent carvings illustrates the winsome appeal in the facial features and body pose of his signature carvings of his creations he calls simply “Shorty” carvings. That same style is repeated in the carving of a figure called “Boss” and a cowboy bust. Take a look to admire the intricacy of the clean cuts with simply detailed lines of the design of each little figure that spells the “HECKER STYLE.” Read the rest of this entry »