Setting in the design for relief carving.

[LehighBrad]

Hey guys....what is the best way to "set in" my design for relief carving...the stab in method or following the lines with a veining tool?? I've seen a video of Homer Dangler using what seemed to me an unusally large v-gouge to follow his lines on his cheek design then just relieving away the wood surface from around his scrolls. I'm thinking that method wouldn't achive as sharp a shoulder at the edges of the design as would just following the design with a chisel and stabbing it in, especially around my lock panels where I'm hoping to do acorn-like finials in the wrist area. What do you guys think???

[Bill of the 45th]

By stabbing in there's less chance of chip out, or the tool following the grain.  I've tried hershel's way, and I don't have enough build time on carving.  I stick to stabbing.  Try both ways on a practice piece, and see what works best for you.

Bill

[Jim Kibler]

Either way will work.  The results will be somewhat difference in appearance with each.  There have been many discussions on this topic in the past.  You should find a great deal of information with a search.

Jim

[Ed Wenger]

Like Jim said, either will work.  I've found I get a little "sharper" edge by stabbing, but that's just me. 

Which ever method you feel most comfortable with will most likely give you better results.  Regardless of the method, make sure you have a nice "clean" design on the stock.  Sounds obvious, but your carving is probably not going to be better than the drawing/design.  I've found the better the drawing (clean, slim lines), the better the carving is going to be.


               Ed

[smallpatch]

My 2 cents.

I used to use the Dangler method of using a v tool.  I found that my lines were not at crisp and clean as I wanted. Little dips, and straight areas in curves etc.

I have switched to stabbing in either with gouges or a very sharp knife, then relieving the background.  Much more consistent and cleaner lines.  Still use a v tool for touch ups, and details within the carved scrolls, etc.

That's how it works for me, and it has helped my quality considerably.  I'm still a RANK amateur compared to Mr Kibler and Mr Martin.  Maybe some day  (sigh)

[LehighBrad]

Once again Thanks guys!! And smallpatch, if my Lehigh turns out half as nice as the one you recently posted I'll be extatic!! When I see photos from guys like you, Kibler, Martin, and many others, I get the motivation to go down to my basement work bench and put the 'ol shoulder to the grind stone. Thanks again fellas!!

[smallpatch]

That's interesting Brad.  When I compare my carving to Allen and Jim's, it makes me want to grind the edges off my chisels, throw them away and make book ends.

Thank you though. 

[tallbear]

Lehigh

If you are doing a Lehigh gun study the carving on the originals closely.I think you will find that they were outlined with a v tool and then relived.If that kind of thing is imprtant to you a v tool might be the way to go.

Mitch

[Acer Saccharum]

I don't have much experience with stabbing the entire design in, but I use a mix of methods.

If your design is well drawn out on the stock, then you know where you're headed, stabbing may work very well for you.

I often change the design slightly as I work the design, so outlining with a parting tool works for me better in this case.

Each man must find his way; there is no definite answer for which way is better. But keep an open mind, and buy lots of tools. 

[Cody Tetachuk]

Hey guys....what is the best way to "set in" my design for relief carving...the stab in method or following the lines with a veining tool??

I don't think a veining tool would work very well although I find a VERY small one it to be terrific for incise carving. A 'V' parting tool is what is usually used if the pattern is to be followed rather than stabbed. If you choose to use a parting tool, you may find you will have better control and will reduce/eliminate depth variations and "square" curves if you chase it with a mallet (many VERY light taps) rather than pushing it.