A fun carving project is to carve a basswood handle of a knife that is the brainchild of Helvie Knives who makes a knife with a blank basswood handle.  The question for the carver becomes “what to carve in the handle?” One consideration is to carve a handle that would be comfortable to hold in the carving hand while using the knife for carving as well as the subject matter to choose.  Like most carving projects it is best not to rush before having a clear idea as to what to carve.  This is to trust the creative process to make the suggestion into the carver’s imagination.  During the mental incubation process an idea began to take shape to carve a “Back to Back” interpretation of Santa in two forms.  The red suited Santa often called the Coca Cola Santa would be carved on one side and an Old-World Santa on the other side as “Back to Back Santa.” The design would need to be simple so that no appendages would protrude.

Using the “Design by Carving” method of allowing the design to appear while removing unnecessary wood the first stage is to carve the head covering and the head of each Santa back to back on the top sides of the basswood handle as depicted in the photos above.

The photos below show the progress of the body design for each side of the dual Santa Figures.  The red suited Santa is holding a wreath with bow in front to make a compact view.  The Old-World Santa on the other side is holding a walking staff in one hand and his other arm and hand are at his side to make a compact view.  These compact views have no sharp corners or protruding appendages in order to make a comfortable fit in the carving hand.  On the lower portion of the handle on one side of the back to back figures is a carving of holly leaves and berries to indicate the upright side of the handle to position the blade in it carving mode.

The next series of photos show the knife with blade inserted into a carved base with the Advent Words ~ “HOPE – JOY- PEACE – LOVE” carved on the four sides of the base.

The final photo shows the knives used to carve the Back to Back Santa handle and the base for the knife to stand proud.