First time carving in ? Years

[mikeyfirelock]

I never was good at carving, and still am not. My wife complimented me on this.   I think she needs her eyes checked.  Perhaps she feels sorry for me ( I doubt that.)
 I post this simply as a WARNING to the younger members here that carving is a dangerous affliction, and that once tried, it takes ahold and you have to keep trying it !   Beware !    ( I left enough wood to take it off and do some wire work ......which I am not good at either)
Hope someone got a chuckle out off this.... I’m opening a beer.

[M. E. Pering]

Mikeyfirelock, I wouldn't so quickly discount you wife's opinion here.  I have seen worse in pictures of originals.  Sure, it needs some cleaning up, and maybe some embellishment, but I think it has promise.  Maybe a little hollowing of the leaves to make them more 3 dimensional too.  Keep in mind, many of the ancient makers were not that good at carving either.  I am no expert, but this carving looks like it could have been done in the 18th century.  I hope you follow up on it as you go so we can see your progress.  Yours looks more 'period' than mine:

M. E. Pering

[Mike Lyons]

The carving looks good to me.  The top left might need rounded just a tad more.  It looks like it comes to a point in the one section of the stem but angles and stuff can distort pictures.  One of the experts might chime in on the cheek rest.  I’m not sure what I see but it looks long or something.  It might be right for the rifle your building.  Keep posting pictures and asking questions.  You’ll end up with a beautiful rifle. 

[mikeyfirelock]

Thanks guys.  You are too kind to an old guy.   The carving is a long way from being finished.  I think I will clean it up and actually dispense with some of it, and then add some wire inlay.  It will look nice when aim done with it.  This gun is for a friend  of 50 years and it will look good when done.   The rest of the gun is looking good . The next project is a fusil for another friend of long standing, but no embellishment there.

 Then I’m going to build myself a gun !

My wife still needs her eyes checked , though.
Mikeyfirelock

[Huntschool]

I find absolutely nothing wrong with that carving.  Work the edges and go on.  Less is more.  KISS is always the way.  Show the lines of your gun not some fancied up foo fraw..........

I really like it..... 

Just my thoughts.....

[Ed Wenger]

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your carving either.  A little modeling of the leaves would dress it up some.  I agree with Afghanvet, refine the end of the cheekpiece to make a more rounded transition into the carving.  Some wire work would look good in the big empty space between the end of the cheekpiece and the carving...  Look forward to seeing the finished project!



            Ed

[smart dog]

Hi Mike,
It is looking good but I would make a change to the rear of the cheek piece.  Your stem looks like it is hanging like a dead leaf from the top corner of the cheek piece rather than growing out of it.  I would make the cheek piece shorter and curve the back of it to match the curve of the stem so the leaves seem to be growing from it.  The cheek piece is pretty long anyway and would look better shortened.

dave

[Mike Brooks]

I can't clearly see exactly what you've done. I'd work on more traditional design, but that's just me.

[mikeyfirelock]

I spent some time on this today and I’m close to calling it done.  Don’t think I’ll add any wire to it.
I just need to add the barrel key escutcheons and the sights and then I can finish.

[mikeyfirelock]

what is the formula for carbonate

[Algae]

Lookin' GOOD! Keep at it Mikey,

Al J

[BOB HILL]

Mike, I don’t know how long it’s been since you carved, but the break must have done you good. I think you’re doing a fine job there.
Bob

[mikeyfirelock]

Early 1980s

[mikeyfirelock]

Done

[M. E. Pering]

That came out great, Mikey!

[Hank*in*WV]

Mikey, what year is that old airhead in the backround?

[mikeyfirelock]

Its a '76  R 75/6  (not for sale,  but I'll part with s 95 K 1100 RS )_