The Fisherman carved by carving friend Jim Hecker is a good example of the influence of Scandinavian flat plane carving.  In this case Jim pushed the envelope a little towards softening the flatness into a more realistic contour of the planes.  The carving itself tells a story right off in the pose of the fisherman looking back wide eyed at the hook that has caught him in the seat of his pants. It is appropriately entitled “Hooked.  ” Humor in carving is a unique way to capture the foibles that often come or could come in ordinary activities. (click on each photo to enlarge.) Read the rest of this entry »

Whittle Doodles are doodling with a knife while shaping a block of wood with a variety of carving designs.  The Mini Whittle Doodle is carved into an inch square by three quarters of inch block of basswood using a small bladed knife to carve four faces and embellish with freehand chip carved designs. The knife was made by the carver using the same blade material Bud Murray uses to make his knives (planer blade steel). (click on each photo to enlarge) Read the rest of this entry »

HELVIE KNIVES has posted on their website the twenty one knives of the WOOD BEE CARVER Signature Series which can be viewed and ordered by clicking on MERTZ Signature Series.

The complete HELVIE website may be accessed by going to COOL LINKS to the right of this column and click on HELVIE KNIVES.

HELVIE KNIVES announces the introduction of two more knives in the WOOD BEE CARVER Signature Series.  Each knife is a continuation of the basic design and concept for a carving knife that is used in a “slice and roll” action.  The cutting edge is curved in a quarter moon shape to allow for a slicing action in both the push and pull stroke.  The back edge mirrors the cutting edge with a scimitar blade shape to allow for greater access in tight areas while carving. Read the rest of this entry »

A recent commission to carve two figures representative of Phil Robertson dressed in camouflage resulted in these two carvings. The design of the camouflage fatigues was created by wood burning the darker designs on the bare basswood followed by the painting process of a tan color to simulate desert camouflage.

The caricature likeness of the Duck Dynasty character was made possible by incorporating certain characteristics identified with the character.  A duck call in one hand, a shot gun in the other hand, the camouflage head band and the signature beard and mustache outfits this carving into a reasonable likeness of the character.

A study of the photographs will reveal that each carving while similar yet each is unique in its own interpretation of the same subject.  Most carvings are interpretations rather than a mirror image of the original.  It is the interpretation mixed with imagination of the eye and mind that make each carving come alive. (click on each photo to enlarge) Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Kitty and Train were gifts carved for each grandchild and the Snowmen were carved for my wife Frances.  She gave me a carving of an Old Man that was carved by good friend Bob Biermann and Rich Smithson of Helvie Knives was commissioned to create the Anniversary Knife. (Click on each photo to enlarge) Read the rest of this entry »