[Woodcarver] question about relief carving

[George Farrell]

> Hi all - I am new to carving, however, I feel pretty

> sure my problem is not a new one.

>

> I am carving a scene with deer on a piece of butternut

> for the back of a bench.   Anytime I get near the tip

> of an antler for the stop cut the top 1/16th or so of

> the wood chips off.   Is there a way to avoid this

> other than making every deer in the picture be a doe?

>

> Is it something I'm doing wrong, or is this a

> characteristic of this wood because of the grain and

> therefore something I'll have to live with?

>

> Thanks in advance.  I've been watching the list for a

> couple weeks, and am learning a lot.

>

> Cathie

> Massachusetts


Hi Cathie
   If you can do it, it might be better to carve the antlers
as incised cuts rather than have the antlers above the
surface.  The thing to do is to practice on a piece of scrap
having the head stand above the surface but grading off to
having the the antlers below the surface.  It's a little
tricky but it can be done and is a useful technique when
handling especially delicate features.


Happiness is a tall boat and a breeze to fill her sails
Have a good day
http://none332.home.mchsi.com
George
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