Kibler's carvings are very beautiful, he does great work, but it looks very contemporary. Look at Blacksmokes carving he did with a pocket knife and sandpaper, to me that looks like something you would see on an original PA. longrifle. Get a book or 2 on original guns. Thoughts on the Kentucky rifle in its Golden Age, is a good one but they don't show drawings around the tang. You can copy original carvings but do change a little bit about them to make them your design. Good luck. Al
Contemporary? You need to study more original work.
I would agree with A.Merrill's comment in the sense that, while the ELEMENTS in your carving are quite traditional, your execution appears quite contemporary in that I am not convinced that ANY of the original makers, even the very best at the time, could execute carving as fine as yours. That very fine execution is what gives your carving (and that of all the other top shelf makers of today) a "contemporary" look. IMO, it is really difficult to know for sure how these guns looked when they left the bench 220 years ago as most are well used/worn unlike much of the top European stuff that went to royalty and the "landed gentry" and was rarely if ever used and resides in museums in pristine, original condition but it's a pretty safe bat that none came close to the fine execution of many of todays better makers.
I don't build rifles, I do hang out here and look at all the great work though......and 100% agree that Jim's work is very distinguishable and contemporary. On an average day I think I could pick it out from across the room. He's an extreme talent and his execution at carving is unique for my eye.
I would challenge anyone to explain exactly what about the work shown above isn't traditional.
Jim,
for my eye your carving style is unique even when compared to original rifles. It's unique in design and for sure in execution. I could go into more detail on the factors that form my opinion later. When I say I could pick one of your rifles out from across the room and referred to the work as contemporary...I simply mean the following. If a team of the best of the best at aging rifles to make them look 200 years old took one of yours and aged it to perfection....I could still tell it was your work. I mean zero offense in the term "contemporary"...I'm a huge fan of your work. Best Regards -Aaron
Pretty much everybody that succeeds develops a flavor or feel. This can be said for Jud Brennan, Allen Martin, Hershel House, Frank House, Wallace Gusler, Brad Emig, Ian Pratt etc. etc. You can spot any of this work from across the room! Same can be said for a Dickert, Armstrong or a Beck.
Think of this as a language. There are letters, words etc. that can be put together in beautiful / appealing ways and then not so appealing ways. All of those mentioned are speaking the same language, though.
