[CV3]

Starting a bear topper today. Butternut is one of the woods i like carving best. Sadly there is something killing the trees and the wood is hard to get. I just have a few pieces left.So this will be a special stick and a personal keeper. Cut the basic shape with my band saw today. If you are new to carving and do not have a band saw you don't need one. But it is nice to have. At first I just carved a way the waist. Then for many years I cut out subjects with a copping saw. Then stepped up to a bow saw. So just jump in with what you have. It will be a week or so be for I get back to it I need to finish the Templar stick and a couple of other project I will post on this thread as I go.

 

[cobalt]

interesting project to follow will be watching it will hopefully follow it stage by stage

 

[MJC4]

Didn't realize there was a problem with the butternut trees. I did notice the price of butternut wood at the carving show was up quite a bit over last year, now I know why

 

[Ron T]

Randy, it looks like you're off to a great start. That's a very nice block of wood and I like the pattern. It makes me wish I could still carve. Butternut was one of my favorite woods to carve also. My favorite wood of all time to carve was boxwood.

 

[CV3]

Randy, it looks like you're off to a great start. That's a very nice block of wood and I like the pattern. It makes me wish I could still carve. Butternut was one of my favorite woods to carve also. My favorite wood of all time to carve was boxwood.

I agree boxwood has a nice tight grain and holds detail really well.

 

[CV3]

I had a chance to do a little shaping on the bear today. you can see the grain ad color of the butternut a bit better,

 

[Rodney]

He's coming along nicely.

Rodney

 

[cobalt]

its coming on well just what we would expect. nice project

 

[cobalt]

its coming on well just what we would expect. nice project

interested in how your going to texture it and how your going to do the transition between topper and shank.

Will you insert glass eyes?

I was of the understanding that butternut was like lime wood ,but the grain is looks much more pronounced giving it more character. and its darker than I thought

always nosey when a different project is here related to carving techniques

and useful to see the wood turn into something in stages

had a problem with the edit mode ? don't know what happened but cant delete 1st post

 

[CV3]

cobalt

I will carve the eyes. Texture will be hair. Butternut holds shallow detail well. It is not a soft wood but is easier to work that walnut. I am thinking I will mount it on a maple staff. not sure on the transition from topper to staff yet. I think I will incorporate some bear tracks on the staff. That is as far as my thinking has gotten me so far.

 

[MJC4]

Randy, how big was the block to start?

 

[CV3]

Randy, how big was the block to start?

Mark

I started with a 2 1/4"thick, 3 1/2 " wide, 51/2" high block. Or 57.15mm x 88.9mm x 139.7mm

 

[Gloops]

This is going to make a good looking stick, looking forward to watching its progress, for the toppers I make I standardise on a common blank size of 100mm x 90mm x 60/55mm (this is dependant upon width across ears).- 4" x 3.5" x 2'/21/4"

 

[CV3]

Got a bit more shaping done today.

 

[MJC4]

The grain is really starting to make itself known on this piece. Some type of oil finish to "pop" the grain?

 

[Gloops]

progressing well, will you do any pyrography to add texture and colour or have you other finishes in mind

 

[cobalt]

coming along well

Have you attached the block to a carvers vice?

 

[CV3]

coming along well

Have you attached the block to a carvers vice?

Thank you. It is not attached to the vice. I just set it up there for the picture.

 

[CV3]

Move along today, it is taking form nicely.

Gloops, I do use pyrography and will most likely use it on this along with a 1/16 V tool when I get to the hair. that will be what takes some time.

 

[Whiteroselad]

Stunning work already! I am in awe already, I can't wait for more updates. N.