Whittle Doodles are doodling with a knife in a block of wood to carve a variety of subjects and themes as a demonstration of carvings done using only a knife. Whimsical in nature and yet a way to illustrate the art and practice of carving in a small and restricted area. This Whittle Doodle was carved using two experimental knives whose design is being tested. The basswood block measures two-inch square by three inches tall. Artist oil paint color raw sienna was mixed with boiled linseed oil for the colored stain which was followed with a coat of Deft brushing lacquer. Read the rest of this entry »
Troll Brothers are three-inch-tall caricatures whose homely features lend themselves to experiment with facial features. Each begins as a three inch by inch and half square block of basswood and are carved into shape using two experimental proto type knives. Read the rest of this entry »
The Beatles were carved as a commission for the HELVIE COLLECTION using a variety of the Wood Bee Carver Signature Series knives made by HELVIE KNIVES. Knives used included the three SIDE KICK knives #’s 25, 26, 27; the Bumble Bee # 13 and the Viper Bee #22 as depicted in the photo below. Read the rest of this entry »
The WOOD BEE CARVER approaches each carving project as a learning experience with continuing discoveries in the carving process. Long he has encouraged carvers to do a twenty minute a day exercise of experimenting with a carving tool and a piece of wood to discover a variety of cuts and maneuvers in shaping a piece of wood as the cutting tool slices through the wood. Coupled with that idea is the experience that the more one carves the better one carves because of the ongoing learning process. Carving with greater frequency allows for the carver’s imagination to grow with creativity which contributes to a sharpening of carving skill and creative design. All of which are inherent in the motto: “Would be carvers would be carvers if they would carve wood.” Read the rest of this entry »
Rich Smithson of HELVIE KNIVES has invited the Signature Series Knife carvers to carve a caricature carving holding a Signature Series knife. This is the WOOD BEE CARVER’s carving that is a “selfie” using the DRAGON II Signature Series Knife as a cane. Read the rest of this entry »
The SIDE KICK Signature Series Knives were designed to be a combination slicing knife in three sizes for roughing out the basic form of a carving subject. Since the WOOD BEE CARVER carves using a block of wood rather than a sawed out blank or machined rough out, a multiple purpose carving knife is very versatile in shaping the basic form. The subject used in this illustration is of Joseph, the carpenter carved in a block of basswood nine inches tall, three inches wide and two inches thick. The photo on the top right shows the completed carving beside the basswood block to be carved in the roughing out stage using the larger SIDE KICK. Read the rest of this entry »
Pumpkin Faces carved in basswood block measuring 1 and 3/4 inch by 1 and 1/2 inch by 1/2-inch-thick using the new SUPER BEE #28 WOOD BEE CARVER ~ Signature Series Knife made by HELVIE KNIVES. The progressive steps show the various stages in developing the major landmarks of opening up the face to receive the detail carving. The curved cutting edge of the SUPER BEE knife allows for slicing cuts to make distinctive and deep details with a slice and roll action. Artist oil paint thinned with boiled linseed oil was used to color each pumpkin jewelry pin. Read the rest of this entry »
HELVIE KNIVES introduces the SUPER BEE Signature Series Knife, the latest Wood Bee Carver Signature Knife (photo on left above). The SUPER BEE (#28) (middle of photo above on Right) is the medium blade size version of the basic scimitar blade design by the Wood Bee Carver as in the earlier TWO BEE (# 2) (bottom of photo) and the BEE FOUR (# 4) (top of photo.) The SUPER BEE comes in a pistol shaped handle of walnut wood with logo and names wood burned by Rich Smithson, owner and operator of HELVIE KNIVES. Read the rest of this entry »
