Whittle Doodle Block Heads 2 was carved in a basswood block measuring two inches square and seven eights inch tall. Eight heads were carver around the four sides with a skull carved in the center. Newly made OTHER KNIVES for Miniature Carving were used to carve each head at random times over a period of a few days. The time in between the actual carving was used to imagine what faces to carve next. This “imagination” time is an essential time for any carving project while following the “Imagination Rule: if it can be imagined it can be.”
The knives pictured above are OTHER KNIVES for Carving Miniatures. Miniatures are any smaller carvings that will fit in a two-inch cube. OTHER KNIVES is the name given to indicate experimental knives made by the Wood Bee Carver for his personal use. Three of the knives in the photos are modified Helvie mini-detail knives and the other with the pistol shaped handles were made using old pocket knife blades that were reshaped and sharpened by hand.
The WOOD BEE CARVER has always been fascinated with the carving of faces by attempting to make each face have a personality of its own. This Whittle Doodle Block Heads carving was carved in a two-inch square by inch tall block of basswood.
The WOOD BEE CARVER is primarily a knife carver who also has enjoyed the sideline activity of turning old pocket knives into carving knives. Old junk pocket knives were purchased very cheaply at junk stores, flea markets and garage sales over the years for the purpose of salvaging these once noble instruments of boyhood lore.
This posting is a visual and written description of this Study Cuts Stick that was used when teaching wood carving classes. The WOOD BEE CARVER would place small boxes on the student’s tables that contained pencils, band aids, leather strops, a couple carving knives and a Mertz Study Cuts stick for reference during class sessions.
Carved wooden blade covers serve a practical purpose of protecting the blade as well as the carver reaching for a carving knife amid the other knives is the tool tote, bag or box. An instructional posting on how to make a simple blade covers can be found by clicking on KNIFE BLADE COVERS The two photos above are examples of blade covers from a simple wood burned design along with carved faces and a chipped carved cover.
Carving faces on blade covers are an excellent way of practicing the carving of faces as well as letting creative imagination free to carve expressive blade covers unique and functional.
Never miss an opportunity to carve something new and challenging because carving is always a learning experience and the more one carves the better one carves. “Keep carving and carving will keep you carving.” Motto: “Would be carvers would be carvers if they would carve wood.”
A Chip Carving friend, Marshall Stearns coined the phrase, “Carving is like taking a bath ~ You do it everyday or you stink.” There is great value in carving every day, if nothing more than guiding the carving tool through the wood making a variety of experimental cuts. A long time the Wood Bee Carver has said, “Woodcarving is more the journey rather than the destination,” which means the shear enjoyment that comes to the carver in the process of carving. The destination would be the completion of a carving project, but once finished the carver longs to get back to the process and activity of carving.
Don Worley is a carving friend to many within the carving family, having been the long time chairman of the Dayton Artistry in Wood and has participated in carving shows in Ohio, Indiana and the old Dollywood Carving Show. His outgoing and fun loving personality is reflected in his caricature carving as well as his friendship.