The Weekend Hobby Thread (5/18/24) Presented by TRex

*****

Welcome hobbyists. Do not adjust your interweb. A spin of the Ace of Spades “wheel of hobbies” has come up with wood carving and whittling.

Revealing shapes hidden in blocks of wood. Wood carvers use a wide variety of tools, such as knives, chisels, and saws. Wood carving is different than whittling. Whittling purists use only a hand-held tool -primarily a very sharp knife.

Do you work with wood? Are you a carver or a whittler? Do you have favorite projects? Favorite tools?

Favorite woods? Do you have no talent or aptitude but appreciate the woodland labor of others?

Have you traveled to places known for wood working? Come forth with your stories of wood carving and whittling.

As usual, keep this thread limited to hobbies. Politics and current events can wait for other threads.

Beware of falling knives.

Top photo:
The Erzgebirge region of eastern Germany is south of Dresden and tucked against the Czech border. The Ore Mountains were known for tin and silver mining. With ample softwood forests, the miners whittled and carved wood. When the mines ran dry, wood crafts became a vocation rather than a hobby. Nutcrackers were born in this region.

The small town of Seiffen is the epicenter. Workshops turn out a wide variety of decorations, toys, creches, and home goods. One is the Spanbaum – also known as shaved trees, chip trees, carved trees and curled trees. See how they’re made:

You may know the Bavarian town of Oberammergau for the passion play, put on every ten years.

The village is also very well known for centuries of wood carving.

The carving craft has been at home in the region for over 500 years, and many sources cite the monasteries in the surrounding area as the origin of the carving art.
Around 1520, an outstanding Herrgotts carver in Oberammergau was first mentioned by a chronicler in the nearby Ettal monastery. In 1563, the Oberammergau carvers received their own craft regulations from the abbot of the monastery.

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Are you a beginner in the world of whittling? Doug Linker’s Youtube channel has many videos on whittling projects and skills. He has a series specifically on 1X1 blocks and says carving Easter Island heads is a good way to get started:

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One flavor of whittling is whimsy. These are fun, small-scale sculptures with movement.

Ball in a box:

Chain (with a little power tool help):

Meme Interlude

20240511-Whittling little by little.jpg

20240511-No discount meme.jpg

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Spoon carving has many, many forms. If you can imagine it, it can be carved. Some focus more on carving the entire spoon, while others focus on decorating the handles.

8 Things Efficient Spoon Carvers Do

5 Mistakes Beginner Spoon Carvers Make

The Scandinavian art of Kolrosing – tattooing wood. Kolrosing is often used to decorate spoon handles, but can be applied to anything with a wooden handle.

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Harley Refsal is an internationally recognized figure carver, specializing in Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving. His biography is remarkable and he’s taught thousands of carvers. Profile here:

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“TRex, what about carving wood with chainsaws?” More power?!! Got ya covered. Video from the 2022 US Open Chainsaw Carving Championship:

Chisels, gouges and other similar tools all require handles. Can you make custom handles to fit your taste and comfort? Yes, you can. There are numerous websites and videos on this topic, but this video got chosen for the thread due to the amazing collection of chisels and storage cabinet:

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Thanks much to JTB for the inspiration and brainstorming. The horde has many talents, interests, and experiences. If woodworking isn’t your thing and you can’t find something in the content that resonates with you, hijack the thread for your hobbying as you see fit. We’ll feature a different hobby next time around.

***

TRex deserves a big thank you for stepping up to help the Weekend Hobby Thread to move forward while Mr. JJ Sefton and I are on the Injured Reserve list. If you have something relating to hobbies, projects, Jenkins Green Acrylic paint, 20/0 fan brushes, #6 Filbert brushes please forward to petmorons at gmail dot com.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Do we also need to beware of falling shivs?

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 25, 2024 05:29 PM (VNX3d)

2 Wood puns go against my grain.

Posted by: fd at May 25, 2024 05:30 PM (vFG9F)

3 When I got my first pocket knife, I carved off a piece of my thumb. Still have the scar.

Posted by: fd at May 25, 2024 05:31 PM (vFG9F)

4 It's raining knaves.
Oh, wait.

Posted by: Winston, GOPe, McFailure wing of the Uniparty at May 25, 2024 05:34 PM (mgGAX)

5 I consider Wood Carving to be sculpture art same as marble, bronze ,etc.

Another carving art that I find fascinating is carving egg shells.

Posted by: polynikes at May 25, 2024 05:35 PM (SHMXB)

6 I have not done much wood carving, but I did some art projects involving ink on the inner bark of birch trees. A very interesting pallet. Almost skin like.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, My Two Cents at May 25, 2024 05:36 PM (hZc6Q)

7 Mrs. JTB's hometown church in Wisconsin has many Oberammergau carvings. (It's a German settled area.) They were installed sometime in the late 1800s. They are magnificent. Made it hared for me to pay attention to the mass.

Posted by: JTB at May 25, 2024 05:36 PM (zudum)

8 Slow thread huh? I've made handles for things. One I made out of a piece of hickory for a screwdriver made out of a pushrod. It's one of my favorite screwdrivers. Hickory makes good file handles too.

Posted by: fd at May 25, 2024 05:37 PM (vFG9F)

9 My husband had a chainsaw rocking horse. The woman that made it did art first, wrote a book then became a judge at chainsaw competitions. It was a neat piece. My stepson has it.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at May 25, 2024 05:37 PM (yeEu9)

10 I made a mallet out of dogwood with a hickory handle. The head eventually split though so I need another piece of dogwood.

Posted by: fd at May 25, 2024 05:39 PM (vFG9F)

11 I used to collect scrimshaw handled knives.

Posted by: polynikes at May 25, 2024 05:39 PM (SHMXB)

12 The Blue Angels special on Prime video is pretty good if you are an aviation buff.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at May 25, 2024 05:39 PM (MeG8a)

13 >>>When I got my first pocket knife, I carved off a piece of my thumb. Still have the scar.
Posted by: fd at May 25, 2024 05:31 PM (vFG9F)
+++
Hobby adjacent, years ago I took all my Moms knives and put a good edge on them. Having always had dull knives she immediately cut her hand. No love for me there.

Posted by: Crusader Rabbit at May 25, 2024 05:40 PM (oiw8p)

14 made a mallet out of dogwood with a hickory handle. The head eventually split though so I need another piece of dogwood.
Posted by: fd at May 25, 2024 05:39 PM (vFG9F)

Reminded me of the old joke about the hatchet George Washington used to cut down the cherry tree.

Posted by: polynikes at May 25, 2024 05:40 PM (SHMXB)

15 In my lunch bucket I carry a folding pocket knife, a CRKT with light blond wood inlays and a steel belt clip. It's one that you can flip open with one hand. Startles people when they see me flick the blade out to cut a box open at work.

Collecting knives would be interesting and useful.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 25, 2024 05:41 PM (omVj0)

16 I don't carve at all but for furniture projects I'll usually gravitate towards cherry. It's easy to work, takes finishes beautifully and is readily available in wide planks. I have a few smaller pieces of bloodwood and wormy chestnut I've been dragging around for decades. They'd be great for handles and other accent pieces.

The chestnut came from the family barn. A well meaning, but dull cousin tried to upgrade the inside and pulled off all the 'old wood'. We saved most of it.

Posted by: Tonypete at May 25, 2024 05:41 PM (WXNFJ)

17 Welcome Hobbiests
Posted this in last week's mayhem but here it is again
My AoSHq medallion quickly painted up as I would think it should be

tinyurl.com/mtk82jkr

I do want to try again because I think the skull could be better.

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 05:42 PM (Vgb+P)

18 I’m half way done with my scripture based oil painting. I completed the landscape and just have the figures to complete.

Posted by: polynikes at May 25, 2024 05:43 PM (SHMXB)

19 I have a couple wood sculptures I don't have pictures of . A sun face in oak and a mother calf dolphins. Others I have posted over years

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 05:44 PM (Vgb+P)

20 hiya

Posted by: JT at May 25, 2024 05:45 PM (T4tVD)

21 Most of my wood 'carving' is whittling, generally defined as being done with one knife instead of a number of specialized knives, chisels, gouges, etc. That's one reason why I am trying to learn flat plane carving. I'm not very good at three dimensional figures so it's a challenge.

I also like whimsy pieces like ball in a cage, wooden chains from one piece of wood and similar. I find it very relaxing.

Posted by: JTB at May 25, 2024 05:47 PM (zudum)

22 I like to be able to open a pocket knife with one hand. I've got a whole bunch of knives that I rarely carry because it's too hard or impossible. My daily carry knife I've had so long it's just automatic.

Posted by: fd at May 25, 2024 05:47 PM (vFG9F)

23 Collecting knives would be interesting and useful.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 25, 2024 05:41 PM (omVj0)

I stopped the scrimshaw and started collecting trapper pocket knives instead. I quit collecting about 20 years ago . I need to take the collection out and enjoy and look at them again and then try to sell it.

Posted by: polynikes at May 25, 2024 05:48 PM (SHMXB)

24 Mentioned before I have a carving chainsaw blade that goes on a 4in angle grinder
It's a handful

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 05:50 PM (Vgb+P)

25 Wow, nice woodcarving content, TRex!

When I do "woodcarving" with my chainsaw, I only have enough talent to create tree stumps and firewood.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 25, 2024 05:52 PM (HlyYF)

26 >>I stopped the scrimshaw and started collecting trapper pocket knives instead. I quit collecting about 20 years ago . I need to take the collection out and enjoy and look at them again and then try to sell it.
Posted by: polynikes at May 25, 2024 05:48 PM (SHMXB)
*****
I used to collect knives, not on a big scale. I then thought I could collect cigar cutters but never made any traction with that.

Posted by: Crusader Rabbit at May 25, 2024 05:52 PM (oiw8p)

27 Welcome Hobbiests
Posted this in last week's mayhem but here it is again
My AoSHq medallion quickly painted up as I would think it should be

tinyurl.com/mtk82jkr

I do want to try again because I think the skull could be better.
Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 05:42 PM (Vgb+P)

I like it. I think that only the lower jaw might need a little adjusting. Or you can make it a Punisher skull and leave the lower jaw off.

Posted by: polynikes at May 25, 2024 05:54 PM (SHMXB)

28 5 Wow, nice woodcarving content, TRex!

When I do "woodcarving" with my chainsaw, I only have enough talent to create tree stumps and firewood.
Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 25, 2024 05:52 PM (

LOL
As do
I

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at May 25, 2024 05:54 PM (QXQ4l)

29 My favorite woods for carving/whittling are basswood, butternut and mahogany. Basswood 95 percent of the time since good quality wood is inexpensive and easy to get. But I love the look of mahogany made into smooth graceful figures.

Posted by: JTB at May 25, 2024 05:54 PM (zudum)

30 Skip, Good job on the Ace medallion. Talented.

Posted by: Mrs JTB at May 25, 2024 05:54 PM (zudum)

31 3 When I got my first pocket knife, I carved off a piece of my thumb. Still have the scar.

Posted by: fd at May 25, 2024 05:31 PM

All boys should have a pocket knife.

Seeing your own blood and learning you are actually mortal is an important lesson so that boys do NOT later earn "Darwin Awards" before they become men!

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 25, 2024 05:55 PM (HlyYF)

32 Pocket knives that can be opened with one hand have an "assist" built in on them in the form of a stub to push which will flick the knife open. I own several. I've also lost several (TSA took them) and I miss every one.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at May 25, 2024 05:56 PM (MeG8a)

33 10 I made a mallet out of dogwood with a hickory handle. The head eventually split though so I need another piece of dogwood.

Posted by: fd at May 25, 2024 05:39 PM

fd smoothly segues from the Pet Thread to the Hobby Thread!

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 25, 2024 05:57 PM (HlyYF)

34 I guess this can be this thread, or the garden thread. But I'm doing both.

I've never gardened flowers before. Totally pointless in the high desert.

But now, I live in a much more salubrious mountain range, so I went for it.

FUCK THIS!

I planted a ton of annuals to fill things out, alongside midsummer perennials, so something would always be kicking ass in my garden.

Now, we had three straight horrible thunderstorms that drowned everything. I'm so very pissed off right now.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 25, 2024 06:02 PM (0FoWg)

35 Now, we had three straight horrible thunderstorms that drowned everything. I'm so very pissed off right now.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 25, 2024 06:02 PM (0FoWg)

---------------

How well do you tread water?

Posted by: Noah at May 25, 2024 06:03 PM (2UnvF)

36 One aspect of whittling that caught my attention was hobo and tramp art. Hobo carving was often whimsy pieces, some of them incredibly complex. Tramp art (and they distinguish between tramp and hobo) tended to be simple designs, often made from wooden cigar boxes. Basic chip carved patterns or regular gouges that were stacked up to make 3-D pieces like picture frames or decoration for small boxes. It was making decorative items from free or easily available materials and could be done with one knife.

I got a book (big surprise, I know) "Hobo & Tramp Art Carving: An Authentic American Folk Tradition" about the hobo culture, how it differed from tramps, and how they made the items. I enjoyed it.

Posted by: JTB at May 25, 2024 06:06 PM (zudum)

37 > Pocket knives that can be opened with one hand have an "assist" built in on them in the form of a stub to push which will flick the knife open. I own several. I've also lost several (TSA took them) and I miss every one.
-------------
I have several designed by a local sold under the CRKT brand. Kit Carson.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 25, 2024 06:07 PM (Q4IgG)

38 Not exactly hobbyish, but I just ordered trekking poles to help me keep my balance while walking.

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at May 25, 2024 06:13 PM (LIf6Z)

39 I've discovered that Opinel #6 is almost always the answer to any knife question.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - without abortion the black population would be 36 percent larger at May 25, 2024 06:13 PM (Hefla)

40 Work sent me to Germany a couple of times, weekends were mine and I put a bunch of miles on car rentals. Oberammergau's Passion Play wasn't available; but, I went anyway. It was worth it even though every store was closed on the weekends; the carvings seen through the windows were amazing.
The most impressive was Charon polling his boat over the river Styx with a women taking passage. The boat and people were all skeletons and magnificent.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 25, 2024 06:14 PM (AdAfb)

41 There's a place nearby that will carve a figure out of a tree trunk

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at May 25, 2024 06:14 PM (LIf6Z)

42 I mean, I'm definitely going to plant more flowers next year, because I'm born to be a mark who gets flooded again in '25:

https://youtu.be/SmGig_b2QLI?si=u1ajkjQVhJbQ0Hfc

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 25, 2024 06:16 PM (0FoWg)

43 Good evening horde. Thanks for being here. Sorry I'm late. Wrestling with a project requiring manual dexterity. You may have heard the profanity already.

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 06:16 PM (IQ6Gq)

44 9 My husband had a chainsaw rocking horse.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at May 25, 2024 05:37 PM (yeEu9)
***
Great name for a band.

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 06:17 PM (IQ6Gq)

45 One thing I did this time was paint the carved plaster Paris with heat resistant spray for a grill. The mold didn't even look used. On my other medallions every casting after the 1st or 2nd started to deteriorate with little chops off here and there.

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 06:18 PM (Vgb+P)

46 16 The chestnut came from the family barn. A well meaning, but dull cousin tried to upgrade the inside and pulled off all the 'old wood'. We saved most of it.

Posted by: Tonypete at May 25, 2024 05:41 PM (WXNFJ)
***
Thank goodness. Calamity avoided. Nothing like good, old barnwood.

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 06:19 PM (IQ6Gq)

47 "Not exactly hobbyish, but I just ordered trekking poles to help me keep my balance while walking."

Good idea. I've no idea about your age but when you are my age a bad fall can be bad, even life changing. I fell and tore a tendon in January of 2023 and here I am 16 months later and still gimpy.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at May 25, 2024 06:19 PM (MeG8a)

48 While corresponding with TRex about the topic I got to thinking about the many aspects of whittling. One I knew about but hadn't tried was kolrosing. As I looked into it I became more interested on several levels. There is a desire to decorate things in our lives that go back for milenia. Cabins on the frontier with a dirt floor might have fancy figures traced along the edges where people didn't walk. Then there is scrimshaw where shapes are scratched into a surface like ivory, or the synthetic used today, and a coloring agent spread into the scratches. Chip carving serves the same decorative impulse.

I ordered a kolrosing knife from Pinewood Forge and the instructional DVD. The DVD is excellent, done by Judy Ritger who is considered the doyenne for kolrosing in this country. The knife is superb but that isn't a surprise. Del Stubbs who is Pinewood Forge, makes some of the finest flat plane and spoon carving knives in the world. He designed his flat plane knives with Harley Refsal and the kolrosing knives with Judy Ritger.

Posted by: JTB at May 25, 2024 06:20 PM (zudum)

49 The beautiful curled trees in the top photo remind me of the New Jersey Boardwalk kiosks where (as a child) I enjoyed watching hand-dipped candles being carved.

Posted by: Kathy at May 25, 2024 06:20 PM (p69D5)

50 Now, we had three straight horrible thunderstorms that drowned everything. I'm so very pissed off right now.
Posted by: Yudhishthira

Heh. Gardening isn't for the faint hearted! Just wait until you buy $135 worth of cacti, position them in the yard for planting and have the javalina come in that night and eat them all down to the roots.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 25, 2024 06:20 PM (AdAfb)

51 39 I've discovered that Opinel #6 is almost always the answer to any knife question.
Posted by: Moron Robbie -

This is wisdom

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at May 25, 2024 06:22 PM (LIf6Z)

52 38 ... "I just ordered trekking poles to help me keep my balance while walking."

vmom, I got a pair for the same reason. Still getting used to them instead of my usual heavy walking stick.

Posted by: JTB at May 25, 2024 06:22 PM (zudum)

53 "I've discovered that Opinel #6 is almost always the answer to any knife question.
Posted by: Moron Robbie"

Will it work as a screwdriver?

Posted by: fd at May 25, 2024 06:23 PM (vFG9F)

54 At a church had to be 20 years ago, someone carved the name saint of the church. Done extremely well but started noticing its rotting badly.

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 06:23 PM (Vgb+P)

55 38 Not exactly hobbyish, but I just ordered trekking poles to help me keep my balance while walking.

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at May 25, 2024 06:13 PM (LIf6Z)
***
Absolutely qualifies. I was thinking about a hiking hobby theme, so we're thinking along the same lines. Stay tuned.

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 06:23 PM (IQ6Gq)

56 Not exactly hobbyish, but I just ordered trekking poles to help me keep my balance while walking.
Posted by: vmom stabby

Glad to hear you're working through it, when BPPV hit me a couple of months ago it lasted about 1 month total.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 25, 2024 06:24 PM (AdAfb)

57 I'm good on flat paved surfaces. Get me on a nature hike with uneven surfaces, rocks, etc. and I gotta be at least a tripod.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at May 25, 2024 06:26 PM (MeG8a)

58 "I've discovered that Opinel #6 is almost always the answer to any knife question.
Posted by: Moron Robbie"

Will it work as a screwdriver?
Posted by: fd

-

Absolutely, and the best part is that if you bend the blade it was only a $8 knife.

(although they're probably not $8 any longer)

Posted by: Moron Robbie - without abortion the black population would be 36 percent larger at May 25, 2024 06:26 PM (Hefla)

59 40 Oberammergau's Passion Play wasn't available; but, I went anyway. It was worth it even though every store was closed on the weekends; the carvings seen through the windows were amazing.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 25, 2024 06:14 PM
***
Agreed. The murals on the buildings are remarkable as well. The town is a gateway into the Alps. Beautiful.

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 06:27 PM (IQ6Gq)

60 Glad to hear you're working through it, when BPPV hit me a couple of months ago it lasted about 1 month total.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron

I'm glad you're better!
I used a thin garden stake to walk down the driveway and it helped a lot lol

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at May 25, 2024 06:27 PM (LIf6Z)

61 this is a video by Eugenion Monesma, documenting over the years the old trades, this one is a woodworker making a "Palm Sunday Palm" similar to the Bavarian up top in the OP, making them out of Hachberry branches. He uses them I think, because he has them left over from when he makes a traditional haying fork.

I would point out that Casimiro Bresca, here, is not using a shave horse to hold his work while he uses a draw knife, which is typical of Northern Europe and England, but is instead using a carved pillar he wedges his work into.

It is funny, the English traditional trades tend to be the ones from the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the French ones tend to be from the period of the French Revolution, and the Spanish trades seem to come from the 13th Century and the Reconquista.

(In Spanish, enable the CC)

https://tinyurl.com/5xr2bvw6

Posted by: Kindltot at May 25, 2024 06:28 PM (D7oie)

62 I don't have much experience with them but the trekking poles I've seen had different tips you could put on depending on the surface you were going to encounter. They seem like a really good idea.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - without abortion the black population would be 36 percent larger at May 25, 2024 06:29 PM (Hefla)

63 I do the most awful things to my Klein pocket knife. All the things they say not to. It's 29+ years old and still hanging in there.

Posted by: fd at May 25, 2024 06:29 PM (vFG9F)

64 Many years ago while vacationing on the Outer Banks my husband son and I were exploring the Elizabeth II a 16th century replica ship in the Manteo harbor. There was a guy right there chain saw sculpting a giant statue of Sir Francis Drake. We stood like forever watching him. Amazing what you can do with a chainsaw.

Posted by: Tuna at May 25, 2024 06:29 PM (oaGWv)

65 Haven't been able to get here for a while. My Robyn SB-510D project worked. So I decided to do a second one. It doesn't work.

Posted by: Blanco Basura -Z28.310 at May 25, 2024 06:30 PM (HxasW)

66 34 I planted a ton of annuals to fill things out, alongside midsummer perennials, so something would always be kicking ass in my garden.

Now, we had three straight horrible thunderstorms that drowned everything. I'm so very pissed off right now.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at May 25, 2024 06:02 PM
***
So gardening isn't always relaxing and stress reducing? My mother religiously plants tons of things every year and every year complains about the deer cleaning her out. Rinse, repeat. I don't get it.

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 06:30 PM (IQ6Gq)

67 53 "I've discovered that Opinel #6 is almost always the answer to any knife question.

Posted by: Moron Robbie"

Will it work as a screwdriver?

Posted by: fd at May 25, 2024 06:23 PM

Victorinox is getting rid of the "knife" part of their Swiss Army knives.

We truly live in the stupidest time line!

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 25, 2024 06:31 PM (HlyYF)

68 I used a thin garden stake to walk down the driveway and it helped a lot lol
Posted by: vmom stabby

Mine doesn't sound like it was as bad as yours was; mine hit when I turned my head right while moving my head forward or back.
The eyeballs bouncing back and forth when laying down at bedtime were a real treat (NOT!).

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 25, 2024 06:32 PM (AdAfb)

69 I do the most awful things to my Klein pocket knife. All the things they say not to. It's 29+ years old and still hanging in there.

--

I'm that same way with a #6 that is probably 20-22 years old. The wooden handle is extremely dark from oils and carrying. I know I'll lose it one day and that makes me sort of sad, but hey, it was $8. Except it has kind of become a type of weird companion that has gone and done a lot with me, so it won't feel like an $8 loss.

I can't leave it in a drawer, though. That would be bad in a different way.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - without abortion the black population would be 36 percent larger at May 25, 2024 06:32 PM (Hefla)

70 Victorinox is getting rid of the "knife" part of their Swiss Army knives.

We truly live in the stupidest time line!
Posted by: Pillage Idiot

I've that was certain models for export to England. Because English do not trust their subjects to have pocket knives.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 25, 2024 06:35 PM (cOq4q)

71 Sort of related because I think it might be a Klein, I recently bought a utility knife that opens, closes, and "carries" like a pocket knife. Belt clip and everything. They've been out for a while but I don't like to jump into anything. But man, those things are great. I rarely feel like I'm going to cut a finger off like I do with the traditional push-forward ones.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - without abortion the black population would be 36 percent larger at May 25, 2024 06:35 PM (Hefla)

72 I've discovered that Opinel #6 is almost always the answer to any knife question.
Posted by: Moron Robbie - without abortion the black population would be 36 percent larger at May 25, 2024 06:13 PM (Hefla)

I have been carrying a No#8 for thirty years or so, I think I am on my third

The one thing the high carbon steel blades do not do is "act as a pry bar" since that snaps the tip or breaks the blade. I had one with a custom drop tip like a bowie, because I had to learn that the hard way and had to reshape it with a file. I later snapped it in half because of course I never learn anything the first time.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 25, 2024 06:35 PM (D7oie)

73 Most styles of wood carving have a long tradition which adds to my interest in the hobby. Aside from the decorative aspects and sometimes commercial parts, there are plenty of advantages to be gained from whittling, especially for children that I thought of.

The knives are usually small so can be used by small hands. Learning the techniques can teach patience especially since there will be a tangible result. Teaches fine motor skills. They can develop an appreciation for the shapes of nature. It provides continuity with their culture. They learn the qualities of various woods. Maintaining the knife is a valuable skill. Whittling can be done by both boys and girls since it doesn't require much hand strength.

Just some random thoughts.

Posted by: JTB at May 25, 2024 06:36 PM (zudum)

74 TRex has the best hobby threads. Thanks TRex.

Posted by: Ronster at May 25, 2024 06:36 PM (mbRGg)

75 I have trekking sticks or walking sticks, for when we go hiking and/or long walks on non asphalt surfaces. Really helps take the pressure off my knees.

Posted by: Grateful at May 25, 2024 06:36 PM (IQ6Gq)

76 PM
***
So gardening isn't always relaxing and stress reducing? My mother religiously plants tons of things every year and every year complains about the deer cleaning her out. Rinse, repeat. I don't get it.
Posted by: TRex at May

I remember those days
Enjoy

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at May 25, 2024 06:37 PM (QXQ4l)

77 61 this is a video by Eugenion Monesma, documenting over the years the old trades, this one is a woodworker making a "Palm Sunday Palm" similar to the Bavarian up top in the OP, making them out of Hachberry branches.

https://tinyurl.com/5xr2bvw6

Posted by: Kindltot at May 25, 2024 06:28 PM
***
Outstanding post and link. I've never seen that before. Very elaborate - combination of skill and artistry. Thank you!!

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 06:38 PM (IQ6Gq)

78 collecting trapper pocket knives
Posted by: polynikes

Visited the BIL in MT last June. He has collected a bunch of the Trapper knifes printed advertising pictures and matted them them all for mounting behind glass (mind gutter hobbyists!)
Each adv has a great woodland scene and each has a Trapper knife being used.
Very cool.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 25, 2024 06:38 PM (AdAfb)

79 I've probably had a dozen rigging knives over the years. Not fancy but incredibly useful.

Posted by: JackStraw at May 25, 2024 06:40 PM (LkLld)

80 I'm getting the sense that knives would be a worthy theme for a future hobby thread... Maybe I'll consult Blue Bell for wisdom before attempting.

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 06:41 PM (IQ6Gq)

81 knifes

DOH!!!
Knives you fool.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 25, 2024 06:42 PM (AdAfb)

82 Seiffen and surrounding areas became part of East Germany after WWII. They were permitted to continue carving, but nothing religious such as a nativity set. After the wall fell in 1989, and the subsidies ended, we were told the towns people met to try to decide how to proceed. They branded their mark and have a truly loyal following, especially in December. Seiffen's streets are closed to traffic on December weekends due to 30-40 busloads of Germans and tourists arriving to spend their euros. Just gotta love capitalism. And the nativity sets they resumed making.

Posted by: Grateful at May 25, 2024 06:42 PM (IQ6Gq)

83 I'm getting the sense that knives would be a worthy theme for a future hobby thread... Maybe I'll consult Blue Bell for wisdom before attempting.
Posted by: TRex

Be berry, berry, careful.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 25, 2024 06:43 PM (AdAfb)

84 I do have all sorts of carving tools, chisels, files, power carving. I should do one

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 06:43 PM (fwDg9)

85 Gardening is tough because you gotta stay on top of it. Plants grow quickly, drop leaves, need weeding.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at May 25, 2024 06:44 PM (MeG8a)

86 I have wanted to make a gargoyle that actually works at a downspout

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 06:44 PM (fwDg9)

87 Our church engaged a carver to fashion the crucifix at the front of the sanctuary about 10 years ago. She is now at work on a 10 ft tall carving of the Virgin Mary to match - it will all be of cherry.

Posted by: Tonypete at May 25, 2024 06:44 PM (WXNFJ)

88 I have a thing for picking up Finnish Puukkos. Not sure why, I just like them. No one here knows what they are other than some weird Euro knife that isn't for filleting fish

My knife remorse is that I failed to pick up an Argentine Facon, which is a single bladed, sharp point knife that is the sort of thing the Gauchos used, but a bit smaller, and as a fashion item comes in a metal sheath with a metal handle, and usually plated in Silver.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 25, 2024 06:45 PM (D7oie)

89 Pro tip for knives: Keep a small "Wonder Bar" style pry bar in your truck.

Your knives will thank you for it!

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 25, 2024 06:46 PM (HlyYF)

90 74 - Thank you Ronster. Just trying to help the AoS team and have fun with the horde.

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 06:46 PM (IQ6Gq)

91 86 I have wanted to make a gargoyle that actually works at a downspout

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 06:44 PM (fwDg9)
***
Like the stone ones found on cathedrals and castles?

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 06:47 PM (IQ6Gq)

92 Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 25, 2024 06:38 PM (AdAfb)

Do you remember if they were CASE trappers? Seems to be only manufacturer with any real value for their early models.

Posted by: polynikes at May 25, 2024 06:48 PM (SHMXB)

93 90 74 - Thank you Ronster. Just trying to help the AoS team and have fun with the horde.
Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 06:46 PM (IQ6Gq)
You do good work TRex

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at May 25, 2024 06:49 PM (QXQ4l)

94 87 Our church engaged a carver to fashion the crucifix at the front of the sanctuary about 10 years ago. She is now at work on a 10 ft tall carving of the Virgin Mary to match - it will all be of cherry.

Posted by: Tonypete at May 25, 2024 06:44 PM (WXNFJ)
***
I'm pretty sure that I would grow to hate anything I worked on for 10 years straight.

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 06:49 PM (IQ6Gq)

95 This is new to me, maybe not new over all.
Axe tossing. As a bar sport.
Booze, axes. Hmm...

Posted by: gourmand du jour at May 25, 2024 06:50 PM (MeG8a)

96 Not exactly hobbyish, but I just ordered trekking poles to help me keep my balance while walking.
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at May 25, 2024 06:13 PM (LIf6Z)

And you can use it as a bopper if someone needs to be bopped !

Posted by: JT at May 25, 2024 06:51 PM (T4tVD)

97 >>>Just gotta love capitalism. And the nativity sets they resumed making.
Posted by: Grateful at May 25, 2024 06:42 PM (IQ6Gq)
******
That’s a wonderful heartwarming story to which I say Fuck the Germans, all of them. Oh yes Fuck them again.

Posted by: Crusader Rabbit at May 25, 2024 06:52 PM (w097Y)

98 95/
Yes, I've been told it's great for "stress" relief! whatever...

Posted by: Grateful at May 25, 2024 06:52 PM (IQ6Gq)

99
Sorry, I gave the wrong impression: he collected the posters which Remington Case advertised with; he has this one, and a bunch of others:
https://is.gd/GW76Kf

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 25, 2024 06:52 PM (AdAfb)

100 Since most of my whittling is done holding the wood, I wear a protective glove on my left hand. I have both the chain mail variety, like those used by fish mongers, and a kevlar version. The kevlar is better protection against slashes, the chain mail type against stabbing. I keep my knives razor sharp and have big hands that make great targets for sharp blades. The gloves are cheap insurance.

Knowing how to sharpen knives for the appropriate use, kitchen, wood carving, or whatever is a helpful skill to learn. Also, learn to use a strop. I rarely have to sharpen my wood carving knives because regular use of a strop keeps their edge at their best. A piece of leather, usually attached to a board, and charged with a stropping compound will do the job. The green compound from Beavercraft (yes, that is the company name) and Rich Notto's White Gold are the best I've found so far. I use both.

I also strop my pocket knives every week or two. One reason I prefer carbon steel blades is they are easier to maintain. I'm a bit OCD about having sharp knives.

Posted by: JTB at May 25, 2024 06:53 PM (zudum)

101 Thank you Ronster. Just trying to help the AoS team and have fun with the horde.
Posted by: TRex
You do good work TRex
Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian

I agree with Ronster and MisHum: nice work TRex.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 25, 2024 06:53 PM (AdAfb)

102 86 I have wanted to make a gargoyle that actually works at a downspout

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 06:44 PM

I have wanted to make a REAL gargoyle that will pound on government trolls like Fauci and Dettelbach.

My recombinant DNA lab equipment should be arriving any day now!

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 25, 2024 06:53 PM (HlyYF)

103 I'm pretty sure that I would grow to hate anything I worked on for 10 years straight.
Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 06:49 PM (IQ6Gq)

-------------

Not necessarily.

Posted by: Pygmalion at May 25, 2024 06:55 PM (bo7UB)

104 102/
Please advise when we can order some!

Posted by: Grateful at May 25, 2024 06:55 PM (IQ6Gq)

105 Fascinating details. Great thread!

Posted by: KT at May 25, 2024 06:57 PM (rrtZS)

106 Not exactly hobbyish, but I just ordered trekking poles to help me keep my balance while walking.
-

And you can use it as a bopper if someone needs to be bopped !

Posted by: JT

-

Ha. Hobby related in its own way, which is interesting that it all ties together:

That reminded me of the old Bad Lip Reading song the guy did from Star Wars with Yoda telling Luke about seagulls.

youtube.com/watch?v=U9t-slLl30E

Let me grab my beater!

Posted by: Moron Robbie - without abortion the black population would be 36 percent larger at May 25, 2024 07:02 PM (Hefla)

107 T Rex exactly but made of wood.

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 07:02 PM (fwDg9)

108 2 Wood puns go against my grain.

Posted by: fd at May 25, 2024 05:30 PM (vFG9F)
***
I would knot think so.

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 07:04 PM (IQ6Gq)

109 For the life and work of a master carver, search Earnest "Moony" Warther. Some of his work is in a dedicated museum in Dover, OH. It's said that if you went to the museum and talked with him, he would be fiddling with his hands, and when you were parting, he would hand you a tiny pair of pliers that worked, that he had just whittled.

Posted by: capercaillie4901 at May 25, 2024 07:04 PM (5zRyn)

110 106 Let me grab my beater!

Posted by: Moron Robbie - without abortion the black population would be 36 percent larger at May 25, 2024 07:02 PM
***
HA!!

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 07:09 PM (IQ6Gq)

111 One thing wood carving has taught me is that I seldom need a large blade. I have a Ka-Bar sheath knife just because it is cool but rarely use it. My largest knives are for kitchen use. Most of my woodcarving knives are 2.5 inches or less. Pocket knives generally 3 inches or less and belt knives 4 inches. If I need something bigger for outdoors or camping, a hatchet or belt axe is more useful.

Posted by: JTB at May 25, 2024 07:09 PM (zudum)

112 TRex,
Thanks for another fun thread.

Posted by: JTB at May 25, 2024 07:12 PM (zudum)

113 109 For the life and work of a master carver, search Earnest "Moony" Warther. ...when you were parting, he would hand you a tiny pair of pliers that worked, that he had just whittled.

Posted by: capercaillie4901 at May 25, 2024 07:04 PM
***
Great reference. For those who are wondering "pliers, did that say pliers?" Yep:

https://tinyurl.com/ycx3ctma

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 07:13 PM (IQ6Gq)

114 One of the things I am doing now is trying to figure out if I can use the local clay for making pottery of some sort. There was a lot of bricks and clay field tile made around here, and an actual pottery works south of here at Buena Vista, but good clay is apparently hard to find.
what I dug most recently was a mix of yellow and blue clay, and I have made plaques from the raw clay, and they cracked when they dried, and I have tempered the clay with charcoal, coffee grounds, and ground up pots that I tried to fire which broke awyways.
The ground up pottery seems to be best at keeping the drying cracks away, and the breakage during firing. However I can't seem to get a pot that is strong. The only strong fired clay I have to date is chunks of clay I found in the lawn and tossed in the firepit. All my attempts have black cores which indicates something, I just don't know what.
I suspect I am not firing hot enough and long enough, which is something I can fix.

I am using information from Andy Ward's Native Pottery channel on ewetoob

Posted by: Kindltot at May 25, 2024 07:13 PM (D7oie)

115 Is DFAC watching a hobby?

Posted by: Marcus T at May 25, 2024 07:14 PM (CLA6r)

116 As I was reading about kolrosing, a weird thought came to mind. Could someone copy the map of Middle-Earth used in the LOTR? The design consists of simple shapes that would lend themselves to kolrosing. It would be a massive project but would look spectacular.

Posted by: JTB at May 25, 2024 07:15 PM (zudum)

117 I thought to get the aluminum rain gutter connection, glue wood around it then carve out a gargoyle with mouth where water would come out.

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 07:16 PM (fwDg9)

118 The tree carver has a very practiced hand, and an enormous amount of patience, I have neither. I work with clay (not sculpture) and half the time it's a wrestling match.

Posted by: javems at May 25, 2024 07:19 PM (8I4hW)

119 From the pliers comment section:

"David Warther, son of the world's renown master carver Ernest "Mooney" Warther, shows us how to carve (in 10 cuts!) the infamous pliers they give away to all the visiting children to the Warther Museum."

Aww, I like that even more now.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - without abortion the black population would be 36 percent larger at May 25, 2024 07:20 PM (Hefla)

120 117 ... "I thought to get the aluminum rain gutter connection, glue wood around it then carve out a gargoyle with mouth where water would come out."

Love the idea of the gargoyle rain spout. It would be a hoot.

Posted by: JTB at May 25, 2024 07:20 PM (zudum)

121 117/
Depending upon the weather where you live, would glue suffice? Perhaps a few strategically placed brads would help? I honestly don't know, but would hate for you to do all that work and have weather interfere with the results.

Posted by: Grateful at May 25, 2024 07:20 PM (IQ6Gq)

122 117 I thought to get the aluminum rain gutter connection, glue wood around it then carve out a gargoyle with mouth where water would come out.

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 07:16 PM

You can then use the leftover glue to secure your pizza toppings!

/AI mode off

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 25, 2024 07:21 PM (HlyYF)

123 Besides I am dangerous around sharp objects. Damn near cut the tip of my left forefinger off cutting bread.

Posted by: javems at May 25, 2024 07:21 PM (8I4hW)

124 Some people do need to stay away from sharp objects

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 07:23 PM (fwDg9)

125 Not sure when the next thread is being posted, but wanted to say thanks to all for being here. Also thanks to MisHum for the guidance and venue.

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 07:25 PM (IQ6Gq)

126 I should start a carving project

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 07:28 PM (fwDg9)

127 >>Not sure when the next thread is being posted, but wanted to say thanks to all for being here. Also thanks to MisHum for the guidance and venue.
Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 07:25 PM (IQ6Gq)
******
Yes, I rarely post anything of intellectual value, but I do respect the work of the COBs and the commenters who do contribute in a meaningful way.

Posted by: Crusader Rabbit at May 25, 2024 07:30 PM (w097Y)

128 A couple of styles of woodcarving not specifically mentioned but worth investigating: chip carving and low relief carving. Low relief is usually done with hand tools, no mallet needed. Chip carving, like most whittling, is pretty much a one knife matter. They only need a flat piece of wood, the knives and the means to draw a pattern on the wood. I like simple and inexpensive.

Posted by: JTB at May 25, 2024 07:31 PM (zudum)

129 126 I should start a carving project

Posted by: Skip at May 25, 2024 07:28 PM (fwDg9)
***
I'll post here if you carve a gargoyle downspout and send pics.

Posted by: TRex at May 25, 2024 07:34 PM (IQ6Gq)

130 When carving try to remember the old rule,"Cut towards your buddy, not towards your body."

Posted by: Blanco Basura -Z28.310 at May 25, 2024 07:36 PM (HxasW)

131
Yes, I rarely post anything of intellectual value, but I do respect the work of the COBs and the commenters who do contribute in a meaningful way.
Posted by: Crusader Rabbit at May 25, 2024 07:30 PM (w097Y)

_________

Posting anything of intellectual value is grounds for suspicion.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at May 25, 2024 07:36 PM (MoZTd)

132 These pun are all just run of the mill.

Posted by: polynikes at May 25, 2024 07:39 PM (SHMXB)

133 >>Posting anything of intellectual value is grounds for suspicion.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at May 25, 2024 07:36 PM (MoZTd
****
LOL, tipping my hat to you Governor

Posted by: Crusader Rabbit at May 25, 2024 07:40 PM (w097Y)

134 "These pun are all just run of the mill.
Posted by: polynikes"

I saw what you did there.

Posted by: fd at May 25, 2024 07:40 PM (vFG9F)

135 My Mom's uncle Alan liked whittling. He gave her two Christmas baskets carved out of cherry pits.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at May 25, 2024 07:42 PM (gJoNf)

136 At the end so if anyone who wants to peruse my paintings, you can at stuppleart.com. Nothing new lately but should finish my current work by next week.

Posted by: polynikes at May 25, 2024 07:42 PM (SHMXB)

137 I saw what you did there.
Posted by: fd

He did seem to hone in on it.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 25, 2024 07:46 PM (AdAfb)

138 Aside from the satisfaction of making shavings from a stick (always fun), there are simple projects that beginners can try. One is carving a comfort bird. These are stylized birds that are carved to be very smooth and comfortable to hold. Sort of like well worn worry beads. Carving them can teach about basic carving strokes, wood grain and even wood finishing.

Posted by: JTB at May 25, 2024 07:47 PM (zudum)

139 When Studmill Jesus, - our grader, - needs a break, everybody at the planer takes a break.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at May 25, 2024 07:49 PM (3hI7Q)

140 I saw what you did there.
Posted by: fd

He did seem to hone in on it.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron

He nailed it.

Posted by: JT at May 25, 2024 07:50 PM (T4tVD)

141 Apparently the movie thread has started. Thanks again to TRex and Mis. Hum. for the thread. See folks on the book thread in the morning.

Posted by: JTB at May 25, 2024 07:50 PM (zudum)

142 Cue Porcupine Tree “Men of Wood”

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