Relief carving - recessed?

[Slow2Load]

On relief carvings, is the carving recessed or does the wood have an allowance (larger than the fittings) so the low points of the carvings would be "flush" with the metal trim?

It seems to me that you would want a finished profile first --- then carve the reliefs. True?

[Jim Kibler]

The nature of the carving is such that no extra material is generally needed.  The exception to this is the area behind the cheekpiece.  For some carving types and designs, a little extra material is needed above the edge of the butplate.  In this case, it's only maybe .030-.040" maximum.  Oftentimes, carving can be accomplished with no extra material in this area, though.

[PPatch]

What J Kibler said. Also; Check out this Tutorial here on ALR.

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=23123.0

I practice on poplar boards from the local big box store, then hit the harder wood. Keep those carving tools sharp sharp sharp...

dave

ADD: you will notice in the tutoril I posted that the rifle's forestock has been fully shaped before being carved.

[Larry Luck]

Gary Brumfield did a very instructive powerpoint presentation on relief carving a Shenandoah Valley rifle.  The details of the carving are geographically focused, but the principles are adaptable to other schools.

http://www.flintriflesmith.com/ToolsandTechniques/tools_and_techniques.htm

Larry Luck