The WOOD BEE CARVER often says “every carving project is a learning experience and journey,” and advises that the second and third time one carves the same themed carving, learning takes another path to discoveries. This approach allows the carver’s creative sub conscious to guide the carving process with fresh interpretations of a familiar subject. MOTHER AND CHILD II is the second version of a similar carving as described in the December 27, 2015 posting entitled MOTHER AND CHILD Study which can be reviewed as a frame of reference comparison. In this latest version the pose is opposite from the first version as well as texturing of slicing cuts presents a fresh interpretation. In other words, the second version is not an exact copy of the first making each one unique in appearance. The photos below will show the carving from various angles. Read the rest of this entry »
The three SIDE KICK knives were put to the test in carving the basic form of a woman sitting in chair knitting. Each knife used a variety of slicing cuts to shape a six inch by three inch square basswood block. The result is a large basic form or rough shape of the knitting lady ready to be refined with detail carving. Read the rest of this entry »
The term “Side Kick” normally refers to a unique relationship between two people and means such things as a confident, a partner, a companion, one who helps, an assistant, a wing man, a go to guy, best friend, straight man in a comedy due, one who compliments the other by doing what the other cannot do, one who in content to give the other the limelight and a duo team. Famous Side Kicks were Tonto as Side Kick to Lone Ranger, Gabby Hayes as Side Kick to Roy Rogers, Ed McMann as Side Kick to Johnny Carson and Robin as Side Kick to Batman. Read the rest of this entry »
The year was 2011 and a patron requested a commission carving of Harriet Tubman. Such an iconic historical figure whose contribution to freedom and consciousness to the moral character of our nation’s greater good is a humbling charge to memorialize in a wood carving. To add to the pressure of accomplishing such an endeavor is to understand the love, honor and respect the patron had for Harriet as a hero to her people as well as all she accomplished for her race and for women’s suffrage. A daunting task that required study and research by the carver to come to know Harriet Tubman as one who lives on through her humanitarian acts of bravery to lead many of her people to freedom from slavery by way of the Underground Railroad and moral leadership as an abolitionist and suffragist. The U.S. Treasury on April 20, 2016 honored her memory with the announcement that Harriet Tubman will be the new face on the twenty dollar bill by 2020. Read the rest of this entry »
The VIPER III is the third and smallest version of the VIPER series of the Wood Bee Carver Signature Series. The design of the curved cutting edge and the downward angle of the snaking shape of the blade allows it to snake its slicing action into areas difficult to reach. Even though the one inch small blade has all the appearance of a “detail knife” yet it is an “all purpose” carving knife. The small radius of the curved cutting edge slices smaller chip removal than a larger radius blade while still being capable to removing a lot of wood in the shaping process in a small package. It is very versatile when carving small carving projects as well as being functional for taking small cuts in the shaping of a larger carving project. Once the carving project is carved to its basic form, the VIPER III continues to carve in the details with precise slicing cuts. The accompanying photos are examples of VIPER III used to carve each completely using only this one knife. Read the rest of this entry »
The knives pictured above are left to right: VIPER II, VIPER, DRAGON, SIDE WINDER and SIDE KICK.
The WOOD BEE CARVER has been primarily a knife carver for over forty years and during this journey knife blades and handles have been developed through experimentation of trial and error discoveries of what carved the best. A curved cutting edge produces a slicing cut and is the most efficient in reaching into areas that a straight cutting edge cannot reach. Read the rest of this entry »
Ten Students of the Miami Valley Wood Carving club participated in a three day class entitled “The A-B-C’s of Face Carving” on March 2, 3 and 4, 2016. The students pictured in the photo above are (first row ~ left to right) Doug Claugherty, Teresa Balsbaugh, Joyce Stewart, Bob Caughron, Wayne Young and (second row ~ left to right) Andy Zinsmeister, Mike Lawson, Andy Calinger, Don Ward, Jim Wander and Don Mertz ~ the WOOD BEE CARVER. Read the rest of this entry »
HELVIE KNIVES introduces the latest addition to the WOOD BEE CARVER Signature Series of knives. VIPER (#22) , VIPER II (#23) and VIPER III (#24)are the latest innovation in the basic design concept of the WOOD BEE CARVERS Signature Series of knives. VIPER blade is two and half inches long , VIPER II blade is one and five eighths inches long and VIPER III is an inch long. HELVIE KNIVES has added a detail knife to the VIPER Series of the WOOD BEE CARVER Signature Series of knives and can be ordered by calling 765-675-8811 (soon to be added to their web site) Rich Smithson is a very accomplished knife maker and all his knives are good choices for carving knives.