[Woodcarver] Chip talk

[maricha]

delightful ron,
thank you for sharing such a wonderful gesture.
cheers
maricha
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ron or Bertie Wells 
  To: [Woodcarver] 
  Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 5:25 PM
  Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Chip talk


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  Hi Ivan and Maricha,

  Here's a variation on the chip removal technique.  Pete Gresham, a well-known mantel carver at Silver Dollar City, keeps a toy rubber pig handy on the workbench with his tools.  I think he swiped it from his son years ago.  The pig does an excellent job of "blowing" away chips when squeezed in their direction.  The sight of this along with the accompanying "oink oink" always brings laughter from the guests watching Pete do his work.  His hands never touch the wood; he does, however, have to set his tool down  to accomplish the task.

  Your friend,

  Ron
  www.RonWellsWoodcarving.com featuring Carvings, Blanks, and the Ron Wells Carving Knife
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Ivan Whillock 
    To: [Woodcarver] 
    Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 8:32 AM
    Subject: [Woodcarver] Chip talk




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    Maricha said, "i have always been taught never to blow the chips away as you carve.....because you blow away the karma or the spirit of the divine inspiration (also when you blow away sometimes the dust and chips may hit you in the eye) so like most of the rest said, the removal of chips is best done with a brush. the wood is happy the creative soul is happy, the carver is happy and we are all tuti contenti...very happy."

    Interesting cultural difference here?  The traditional European carvers I studied with and observed work with both hands on the tool and setting the tool down to pick up a brush after each cut would stall the progress.  So, when a chip is in the way they just blow it aside and keep on working.  When a pile of chips has accumulated, then work is stopped and they are brushed away. The thing to avoid is brushing over the wood with your hands, as that dirties it. 
     (I think the northern hemisphere effect must be opposite, clearly they breathe their spirits INTO the wood.)

    This "chip talk" also reminds me of the Native American whose ritual was to have a wood chip burying ceremony after each carving day--to return the chips to the earth.

    It is interesting how various traditions have developed, based on both practical and spiritual concerns.



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