[rdemler]

Good morning,I went on vacation to Montana again last week.While I was there I scavenged some cottonwood bark to try my hand at carving.I found a tutorial on it online.So with a small switchblade for a knife,I gave it a try.I think it leaves a lot to be desired but it does look like the one in the pic I was looking at.Just thought I'd share my 1st attempt at this.

 

[gdenby]

Looks fine. Imagine what you could do if you were using a blade specifically designed for carving. Maybe look at the Flexcut "Jack" line of pocket carving knives.

 

[rdemler]

Thanks,I was thinking about gettin a knife or two.

 

[RandyL476]

Nice job for the first time one of these days I going to give it a try.

 

[rdemler]

Thanks Randy.

 

[MJC4]

For your first attempt I am impressed, looks great!! My first several attempts became "designer firewood".

Once you are bitten by the carving bug like stick making there is no turning back. For a small initial cash outlay for a detail knife and a couple of palm tools you will be surprised at what you can create!

 

[rdemler]

Thanks again.I'm trying a second one.I did rehab and old pocket knife with small blades seems to work better.I wish I would have scavenged a lot more bark..

 

[Rad]

Nice! Once again I envy all you carvers!

 

[Sean]

Great job. Like the bark you left on there as well. We've got a lot of black cottonwood up here. So much so it reeks havoc on allergy sufferers and looks like it's snowing in June!

 

[rdemler]

Since I'm learning,I sanded off the first attempt and did a 2nd one on the same piece of bark.Here it is.

 

[CV3]

Good start rdemler. A great place to learn and fellowship with other carvers is a local carving club. If you google carving clubs in your state you may have one in driving distance. They usually meet once or twice a month.

 

[rdemler]

Thanks CV3.If I ever decide to really pursue carving I may just do that.I have wayyy too many hobbies now.

 

[gdenby]

Looks like you are down into some wood grain in the forehead. Looks pretty nice, and there is a clear improvement over the last one. See, its not so hard.

 

[rdemler]

Thank you gdenby.It's kinda relaxing,I like it..I did add more detail to that face and have started a morel using the bark...And yes it seems like way better grain deeper into the bark..

 

[rdemler]

Just finished the morel,and did some more detail to the face.I did the main morel with a knife and used a rotary tool for the detail cuts.

 

[MJC4]

Nice looking work :thumbsu: You can also use the dremel tool to add detail to the hair and beard.

 

[rdemler]

Thank you MJC4.I'm trying to use just a knife on this bark..It sure would'nt take much of an oops with the rotary tool to remove a big chunk..It's fun either way.