Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => HowTo's and Build-a-longs => Topic started by: madcrow on September 27, 2014, 08:08:54 pm
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Or rather a whittle along. These are fast and easy. Not necessarily five minutes to make, but depending on the wood, it isn't far from it. I usually use poplar or basswood for these. I use a 3/4" board and rip 3/4" strips lengthwise. These ornaments are only four inches long so a 24" strip will get you twelve blanks. OK, quit scratching your head and doing math and let me explain. I turn the strip up on one corner and run it thru the bandsaw and cut corner to corner. Once that is done I cut four inch sections.
(http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/madcrow_2008/Carving/CAM00816_zpsrmvccqr2.jpg) (http://s408.photobucket.com/user/madcrow_2008/media/Carving/CAM00816_zpsrmvccqr2.jpg.html)
Then I make a few marks as guides for the hat, brow, and bottom of the nose.
(http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/madcrow_2008/Carving/CAM00817_zpsn9kwxd1v.jpg) (http://s408.photobucket.com/user/madcrow_2008/media/Carving/CAM00817_zpsn9kwxd1v.jpg.html)
The top line will be the bottom of the hat. A stop cut is a simple cut straight into the wood, where other cuts will cut into and stop. Make a stop cut on the bottom line, move down about a quarter inch and cut toward the stop cut on both sides. This will be where the eyes will be.
(http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/madcrow_2008/Carving/CAM00819_zpstjrtcrcw.jpg) (http://s408.photobucket.com/user/madcrow_2008/media/Carving/CAM00819_zpstjrtcrcw.jpg.html)
(http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/madcrow_2008/Carving/CAM00820_zpszwdyhlbk.jpg) (http://s408.photobucket.com/user/madcrow_2008/media/Carving/CAM00820_zpszwdyhlbk.jpg.html)
Now make a stop cut at the bottom of the nose maybe 3/16" deep. Move the blade down about 3/16" and cut diagonally toward the cut at the bottom of the nose. You just formed the bottom of the nose and started where the top of the mustache will be.
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Hoping this will be continued . . . . .
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Sadly, Madcrow took off a finger while carving and bled to death trying to look up the phone number for 911. We'll never know what it was he was trying to teach us.
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:-\
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Watch what ya wish for JW, the last time I cut cut chip carving, it took a year to get feeling back in that finger. OK, here is a profile of the last step.
(http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/madcrow_2008/Carving/CAM00822_zpszt8x5lh5.jpg) (http://s408.photobucket.com/user/madcrow_2008/media/Carving/CAM00822_zpszt8x5lh5.jpg.html)
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Now, where the eyese will be, make a tiny shallow stop cut on each side of the nose maybe 1/16" deep and and eighth of an inch long. Then make a shallow stop cut from the inside corner of the eye to the outside corner of the nose.
(http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/madcrow_2008/Carving/CAM00823_zpsjsbcyb7k.jpg) (http://s408.photobucket.com/user/madcrow_2008/media/Carving/CAM00823_zpsjsbcyb7k.jpg.html)
Now hold the knife parralell with the back of the carving and cut straight up into the eye.
(http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/madcrow_2008/Carving/CAM00824_zpsl8axtyhk.jpg) (http://s408.photobucket.com/user/madcrow_2008/media/Carving/CAM00824_zpsl8axtyhk.jpg.html)
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Next make a stop cut at the top of the band for the hat and cut from the top, down to the stop cut. Also make a stop cut starting from the side of the nose, down along where the mustache will be.
(http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/madcrow_2008/Carving/CAM00827_zpsiaofsocd.jpg) (http://s408.photobucket.com/user/madcrow_2008/media/Carving/CAM00827_zpsiaofsocd.jpg.html)
This ornament is quick and easy and will be covered with paint, so you really don't have to spend lots of time with tiny details. Start shaping the nose just a bit and shave the sharp hump off where the mustache will start. While you are at it, use a pencil to drawn in the mustache and make stop cuts all the way around it.
(http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/madcrow_2008/Carving/CAM00831_zpsvstikdmq.jpg) (http://s408.photobucket.com/user/madcrow_2008/media/Carving/CAM00831_zpsvstikdmq.jpg.html)
(http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/madcrow_2008/Carving/CAM00833_zpsmymkfouw.jpg) (http://s408.photobucket.com/user/madcrow_2008/media/Carving/CAM00833_zpsmymkfouw.jpg.html)
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I make small cuts around the mustache into the stop cut to bring out the mustache a little so the face doesn't look flat. I also shave off the sharp edges around the cheeks.
(http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/madcrow_2008/Carving/CAM00835_zpsmqg4xypt.jpg) (http://s408.photobucket.com/user/madcrow_2008/media/Carving/CAM00835_zpsmqg4xypt.jpg.html)
Now its time to shape the hat and the beard, really just whittling the down some. I use a V-tool to cut in the hair on the beard, but a regular knife or an exacto knife will work. Make long wavy stop cuts, then cut into them with the knife.
(http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/madcrow_2008/Carving/CAM00836_zpsyuzml05e.jpg) (http://s408.photobucket.com/user/madcrow_2008/media/Carving/CAM00836_zpsyuzml05e.jpg.html)
(http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/madcrow_2008/Carving/CAM00840_zpsvqru1rua.jpg) (http://s408.photobucket.com/user/madcrow_2008/media/Carving/CAM00840_zpsvqru1rua.jpg.html)
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Just use your imagination and make the hats and beards different shapes and sizes. I went to wal-china and bought some cheap craft paint to finish them off. With a little creativity, you can turn your santa into an elf or a hillbilly. My wife hates those.
(http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/madcrow_2008/Carving/CAM00857_zpssizlvioy.jpg) (http://s408.photobucket.com/user/madcrow_2008/media/Carving/CAM00857_zpssizlvioy.jpg.html)
Tomorrow I will make and install some of the wire loops to put ribbon on for hanging on the tree.
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I once severed the tendon that straightens out my left thumb. Got lucky with that one healing on it's own.
I bet it took you longer to take the photos than it would have to carve the jolly old elf! Thanks for the description and the detailed photos. I might have to try my hand at this one, I think I have some cottonwood bark lying around somewhere here....
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I could have carved a hand full in the time it took to throw this together. One of these days when I find a supplier for the cottonwood bark, that is not in Canada, I am going to give it a try.
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thanks for doing this Eddie it's a big help
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Super great idea and nice work.
I will be giving this a try, I have been wanting to carve something but didn't know how.
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Thanks for posting this. I make my wife a wooden ornament every year for Christmas and I tried one of these this year. I've never carved before, but thanks to your pictures and description, I ended up with something that resembles Santa Claus (though it took me a bit longer than 5 minutes ;) ).