Rich,
I think you are doing some good things. I like the general architecture and most of the carving and moldings. One area that is a bit weak in my opinion is the tang carving. A few things to consider... I would make the incised lines forming the shell pattern heavier. These seem to look best if tapered with the design. That is, widening out with the shell. Also, laying out the locations of these lines can sometimes be a bit tricky. Each lobe of the "shell" pattern should have sufficient taper but not too much. Most of the lobes look decent, but the ones nearest the barrel have too dramatic of a taper. You can adjust this somewhat by widening the incised lines appropriately. One final note. With a design such as this, it often helps to have an arc or some element for the incised lines to stop against. This keeps them from getting too cramped and confusing while creating some visual interest as well. Oh, one more thing... I would suggest clamping the stock securely in a vise while carving. It may not be what feels comfortable at this point, but I think you will find that it helps your work as you become accustomed to it. Overall good job! Make sure you show us pictures when its finished.
Good luck,
Jim
