Curtis,
I know you said "freehand" but when you chased your lines with the parting tools did you push them all or tap them? When you set your lines did you roll or tap?
Love the rifle, especially the incised carving.
Kevin
Thanks Burnt, and good question. I didn't really do any mallet tapping on any of the incised carving. With the V-parting tool, I did kind of a "push-pull" thing for more control, using both hands, often just urging the tool forward by rolling an index finger behind it a few millimeters at a time. The tool is held at a very steep angle if it is sharpened properly, and the tool needs to be quite sharp. It would be helpful if I could take a picture of the technique however it's not possible with just two hands, lol.
I tried chasing the V-parting tool with a hammer like Homer Dangler does, however I did not have the control to make the curves look graceful and flowing. I imagine with practice it would improve greatly, but I tend to just jump in and do things with just a couple of test runs and no real practice. Probably not recommended for best results.
On the C scrolls and sharper curves I set most of my lines by roll-stabbing. If you look at the shop made tools the edge of them is curved and not flat like a normal gouge, which makes it easier to roll around a curved line. I found if I roll stamped a curved line it helped guide my V-parting tool for the final chasing, as well as adding depth. You still have to maintain careful control, but again it helped stay on course considerably.
It is kind of difficult to explain in words what could be demonstrated in moments. If I there is a point that I am not getting across let me know and I will try again.
Curtis
