[Woodcarver] Re: question about relief carving

[Ramsey]

I get the list in digest form.  When I saw the question I started 
formulating answers and then I saw all of the other posts.  What a 
great storehouse of experience we have on this list.  The only thing 
I have to add is that next time try not to use butternut.  It's soft, 
slices clean and is pretty but is particularly prone to chipping and 
splitting.  For deer with antlers, I like to use alder or cherry.

Ron Ramsey
http://www.carvedbyramsey.com

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
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