Carving hint?

[Scota4570]

I would like to do this on my Woodsrunner kit.  I don't carve much, the last time I did something like this I was not completely happy with how it went.  I stamped in the pink line.  I then went too deep with the blue.  I was thinking this time to only stamp in the outline and not try to make the blue crack full depth.  I am thinking of doing the blue crack with the veiner.  Start on the outside and come in and out of the cut to make the width taper down to zero. 

What this the right way to do it?

Thanks,
Scot

[Bob Gerard]

A suggestion; Practice, practice and practice some more. Poor carving can really wreck an otherwise beautiful gun, in my humble opinion.

[rich pierce]

Tommy G have a good carving demo using v chisels. Some use v chisels, some stab. Do what works for you. I could not use stabbing on this design except at the lobes.

One challenge with stabbing for me is controlling depth. Cutting across the grain it cuts shallow. With the grain twice as deep. It takes practice.

[TommyG]

Rich is spot on.  I think though looking at the pic that even a small V tool might be too big for the veins in that design.  I would try and outline the basic design first, V tool or stab, whatever works for you, then carve the veins using a small carving knife or even an exacto knife.  I would do this on some scrap first contoured to the shape shown.

[Ed Wenger]

I agree with Tommy.  But, if you do decide on a small “V” chisel, I’d go the opposite way with the cut.  For me, it’s easier to go deeper as you go, especially going “downhill”, and helps with “skip outs”.  Best,

     Ed

[TDM]

I would like to do this on my Woodsrunner kit.  I don't carve much, the last time I did something like this I was not completely happy with how it went.  I stamped in the pink line.  I then went too deep with the blue.  I was thinking this time to only stamp in the outline and not try to make the blue crack full depth.  I am thinking of doing the blue crack with the veiner.  Start on the outside and come in and out of the cut to make the width taper down to zero. 

What this the right way to do it?

Thanks,
Scot

I’m right there with you Scot. Still haven’t started carving on my Maple.54 Woodsrunner, it’s ready to finish except for some carvings. I took the easy way out for now and have one of Jim’s carved Woodsrunners in Cherry and .50. I’m working on that one now. Hoping it will give me inspiration!