How many knives does a wood carver need is the question and the answer is what the Old Carver sez: “One is dandy, two are handy and three are never enough.” And so, it is for the Wood Bee Carver who is a doodler and tinkerer at heart. Even though the collection has long ago surpassed the “enough” yet the Wood Bee Carver from time to time will dabble in making a few “Other Knives” for personal use. That is what this posting is about with photographs and written description in case anyone else would like to explore this relaxing obsession.
The knives used for the carving of the Mahogany Relief Carvings were all made by the Wood Bee Carver for his personal use that are called “Other Knives.” Each one is of an experimental blade design that can be variations of some of the Signature Series knives made by Helvie Knives. The photos below will show some of the blade designs being used to make specific slicing cuts in the shaping process.
The Wood Bee Carver is primarily a knife carver who enjoys the challenge of using only knives to carve various projects. Relief carving is a challenge of combining a three-dimensional image on a two-dimensional surface using a variety of slicing knife blade cuts.
A tutorial that the WOOD BEE CARVER did for the “Whittle & Chips” blog a few years ago may be viewed by clicking on HOBO JOE link. The tutorial does a series of step by step photos and verbal descriptions of carving in the Whittle-Carving style of using only knives to carve a figure. The complete “Whittle and Chips” blog is listed under Cool Links in the right column on this Home Page.
WHITTLE DWARFS are whimsical carvings in a one inch square by inch and half tall basswood block. Dwarfs are carved with two feet sticking out underneath the chin of the large head and eyes are covered with the bill or brim of the hat. Each one is a little different from any other of similar pose. Using only a knife to shape each dwarf allows for the texture of the whittled facets to give color to each carving while Howard Feed-n-Wax provides the protective finish. Whittling has always been viewed as a relaxing style of carving and is a fun way to relax. As my good whittling friend Billy Stephens said in an original saying, “There is never a dull moment with a sharp knife and a piece of wood,” Whittle Dwarfs are a fun way to whittle away time in a care free manner.
21 Whittle Dwarfs will make their appearance at the Miami Valley Woodcarving Show ~ March 2 and 3 at Middletown, OH ~ Christ United Methodist Church ~ Corner of Grand Avenue and Marshall Road.
Click on this link ~“Whittle Dwarf Tutorial” ~ to see instructions for carving Whittle Dwarfs.
The Wood Bee Carver is primarily a knife carver who enjoys the challenge of using only knives to carve various projects. Relief carving is a challenge of combining a three-dimensional image on a two-dimensional surface using a variety of slicing knife blade cuts. A profile image of Abraham Lincoln was Relief-Carved on a Mahogany block four inches tall, two and a quarter inch wide and three quarters of inch thick.
CLASSICS are carvings from an earlier time that have sentimental value in the carver’s collection. Read the rest of this entry »
