A plumber riding a “plumber’s helper” like a pogo stick presents a humorous picture that is beyond reality and yet that is what makes humor out of the ridiculous. Caricature is “exaggeration of realism” making the theme of “Plumber Pogo” the subject of a caricature carving. (click on photos to enlarge.)

The two examples were carved out of a three inch tall by inch and half square block of basswood using only a John Dunkle Knife. John Dunkle is one of the knife makers whom I recommend who makes knives that I use in the Whittle-Carving style of carving. This particular knife model #9BHPM -1 ¾” has been modified to fit the Wood Bee Carver’s preference and use. This knife is an excellent carving knife that is very versatile for the larger shaping cuts as well as the fine detail slicing cuts.

The simplest definition for “woodcarving is the shaping a piece of wood using a sharp cutting edge in a slicing action to round square corners and flatten round surfaces.” Four photographs above show the Dunkle knife, a block of basswood followed by a block receiving the beginning slicing cuts to round the square corners to shape the head area which is followed by the “carved to form” stage. The major and most important stage of the carving process is to carve the subject to its basic form which is about ninety five per cent of the carving activity. Once a proper form has been established, then and only then are the details carved which represents the last five percent of the carving activity. The last photo is of the two plumbers in the finished stage of the carving process ready for painting.

Study the next three photographs of the two unpainted figures in three  views to note seminaries as well as subtle variations. For example one is larger than the other, cigar is in different corner of mouth, and one is wearing bib overalls and the other is wearing pants with suspenders. Note especially the suspenders and the overall straps are very shallow cuts because they are carved as part of the “detail” carving stage by being carved into the basic form after the form has been established. There is a tendency for learning carvers who want to rush the “detail carving stage” will start carving in the suspenders or overall straps or belt during the “carving to form” stage. Detail carving stage is basically making shallow cuts into the good foundation established in the carving of the basic form.

Every carving is a learning piece which presents its own challenges and discoveries in the carving process. There is value in carving the same subject over and over again because no two are exactly alike and any subtle changes that occur in the “design by carving” phase brings to life a new edition of an old carving subject. And in a real and undeniable way that same process will bring about a new edition to the old carver who is creating something new out of an old idea. As the old saying goes, “old carvers never die, they just whittle away,” so let’s get to whittling before we die from inactivity, the slowest kind of death there is.