carving

[Jim Kibler]

Hey there.   Here is a bit of carving I've done  recently.  No sanding on any of this.  Just edged tool cuts and some scraping.  The gun is finished, but I can't show too many photos just yet.  Thanks for checking this out!

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Holy moly...that's sexy!

[PPatch]

Beautiful work Jim. One question: How do you go from busting your tail in the production shop to being settled and centered enough to do such fine carving?

dave

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I think Jim can do this sort of routine stuff with one hand while he eats his sandwich for lunch.

[B.Barker]

I wish I was half that good Jim. Probably took you twenty minutes to do also. Nice looking rifle by the way.

[Longshot]

Artistry and technique riding the same horse.
Supremo!

[Mike Brooks]

You might end up being a pretty good carver if you keep at it.

[Pukka Bundook]

LOL Mike!

Lovely job Jim. Really like the cheek -piece as well. V nicely formed.

[smylee grouch]

Yes indeed very nice. Crisp and clean. Is that on one of your kits?

[fm tim]

I once asked the late Don Getz who was the best carver and he said Jim.

[WadePatton]

Beautiful work Jim. One question: How do you go from busting your tail in the production shop to being settled and centered enough to do such fine carving?

dave

This!

Great stuff Jim.

[QuanLoi]

Well, this is the state of my current attempt.  The gun is just about finished.  I want to add just a little wire inlay, whisker and stain.

Decker

[Goo]

Nice carving Quan Loi ,   Is that an ivory oval on patch box lid? (Hard to tell from the glare in the pic )

[QuanLoi]

Nice carving Quan Loi ,   Is that an ivory oval on patch box lid? (Hard to tell from the glare in the pic )

German silver.  In the past I've used coin silver and had it flattened and stretched by a jeweler.  But coin silver is kind of hard to find lately.

[P.W.Berkuta]

So many talented people on this site -- Way back when there were only a handful that would show this level of craftsmanship now you see a lot more people with the artistry and skill of true high end workmanship. Great work all !!

[jerrywh]

 I have been analyzing Jim's carving and some other good carvers. There are several common things I see in the best carvers.  #1 they know how to pick the right wood. #2 like engravers and other artist it is the design that makes most of the beauty. #3 is technical know how. #4 is sharp tools.
 You cannot do great wood carving on lousy wood. No matter how good you are at carving if the design is not good it is a lost cause.  Notice how plain the wood is on Jim's example.  You don;t need a super great grain to make a good looking rifle. The carving and some wire work will make the difference.  Hardness and density is much more important than good looking grain as far as carving is concerned and wire work also.
   Good looking job JIM. You have it figured out. I don't believe in rating craftsman or artists because it is a matter of personal taste.  If you ask who is the beat carver you will get about 20 different answers.

[Jim Kibler]

Beautiful work Jim. One question: How do you go from busting your tail in the production shop to being settled and centered enough to do such fine carving?

dave

Dave,

It's not easy for me to switch gears and work on different projects.  These transitions are always a bit of a challenge.  It's easy to show pictures of finished carving, but I sometimes struggle just like everybody else!  The way this stuff works, is as you become a bit more skilled, your standards also go up so you become more critical.  A viscous cycle...   On this project the difference in carving appearance after finishing was a bit of a frustration as was working with how it looks from different angles.  Still lots to learn...

Jim

[Jim Kibler]

Yes indeed very nice. Crisp and clean. Is that on one of your kits?

Yes, this is one of our kits.

Jim

[Jim Kibler]

Well, this is the state of my current attempt.  The gun is just about finished.  I want to add just a little wire inlay, whisker and stain.

Decker

Looking good, Decker.  Show some more pictures when it's finished!

Jim

[Jim Kibler]

I have been analyzing Jim's carving and some other good carvers. There are several common things I see in the best carvers.  #1 they know how to pick the right wood. #2 like engravers and other artist it is the design that makes most of the beauty. #3 is technical know how. #4 is sharp tools.
 You cannot do great wood carving on lousy wood. No matter how good you are at carving if the design is not good it is a lost cause.  Notice how plain the wood is on Jim's example.  You don;t need a super great grain to make a good looking rifle. The carving and some wire work will make the difference.  Hardness and density is much more important than good looking grain as far as carving is concerned and wire work also.
   Good looking job JIM. You have it figured out. I don't believe in rating craftsman or artists because it is a matter of personal taste.  If you ask who is the beat carver you will get about 20 different answers.

Thanks for the insights, Jerry.  I've never thought about things exactly like this, but it makes a lot of sense.

All the best,
Jim

[Jeff Stewart]

There are craftsmen and there are artists.  Sometimes minute differences in the design and the execution differentiate the two.  Master Kibler, you are an artist.  Thanks for the inspiration.

[Mr. Bubbles]

QuainLo,
What particular school of gun is that which you are building?  The carving looks very tasteful, and well executed, but I can't quite place the architecture.  It does remind me of a John Young Lehigh in many ways though.

[QuanLoi]

You're not too far off. The stock profile is Northampton, but as far as the carving and patchbox, I guess I would classify it as "Contemporary".  Actually, I copied the patchbox from one illustrated in John Schippers engraving book on page 67.  The original belongs on a flintlock swivel breech.