JP Beck build - CARVING advice please

[archer829]

Thank you to everyone who helped with my questions about architecture on my JP Beck build!

Now that I have most of the architecture kinks worked out, I am attempting to draw the carving.  This is my first rifle with carving, and I am more than a little afraid to ruin it!  So if anyone has any suggestions about changes or tweaks, please let me know....

I have attached a picture of the original carving that has served as my inspiration.  Mine doesn't have to be an exact copy, but I'd like it to be close.

Thanks again!
Jeff

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[BOB HILL]

Looking good so far.
Bob

[Mike Brooks]

I'd go ahead ant cut that in. You should have been making rifles instead of kids.

[t.caster]

Great drawing, start cutting in!
I've done that design several times. This is my own Beck rifle.

[Kingsburyarms]

If you carve like you draw, this will be exceptional - Go for it... Jon

[KC]

I agree with all the other comments, your artistic eye seems to be working well. The drawing looks great.
K.C.

[Chowmi]

Your design looks great!

If I may speak from my own experience, my first rifle carving was abysmal even with a copied design from a well known master of the period, and so I must ask the question:  You are obviously good at drawing, are you good at carving? 

I don't mean to insult, simply to say that if you are not confident that you can do a good job, you might consider practicing this one first.  Wish I had on my first carved gun.  I have used Kibler's practice stock as a rehearsal, and it was a good idea.  You could also use a good hard piece of maple, but make sure you shape it with a curving surface like the butt stock on your gun. 

If you already have those skills, disregard!!

Norm

[flinchrocket]

I will have to agree with Norm,you should at least practice on some scrapes before you carve on your stock if you haven't carved a gun before.You did a nice job drawing your pattern,but learning how to follow a line with carving tools without drifting from one side of the line to the other is something else?

[archer829]

Wow, thanks for the encouragement B. Hill, M. Brooks, Kingsbury, and K.C.

T. Caster, if mine turns out looking half as good as yours, I'll be very happy!

Chowmi and flinchrocket, I have to admit, my only use of a gouge and chisel has been inletting the parts and creating the mouldings on this rifle, so I do not take your comments as an insult, and in fact, one of my kids is so unsure of my carving skills that she recommended that I just leave the pencil lines on there permanently.....

I actually have one of J. Kibler's practice stocks, so as I am working on drawing the rest of the carving, I'll be practicing on that.

Thanks again, everyone!

Jeff

[Ed Wenger]

Jeff..., practice is certainly prudent.  However, judging by your crisp architecture, and mold lines, I’d wager you’ll do just fine.  I’ve found there’s a correlation between drawing well, and carving, and especially engraving.  Good luck, and keep us posted!

[Marcruger]

"Jeff..., practice is certainly prudent.  However, judging by your crisp architecture, and mold lines, I’d wager you’ll do just fine.  I’ve found there’s a correlation between drawing well, and carving, and especially engraving.  Good luck, and keep us posted! Ed Wenger"

You could also try to talk Ed Wenger into a two-day carving class at his shop.  :-D  Ed is awesome at carving.  God Bless,   Marc

[Lzymtlsmth]

Make sure your work piece is secured don't want it trying to run away when your cutting, good luck.

[jerrywh]

 You drawing looks great. When carving go slow and think each cut over. Don't rush. You will do well once you figure out the direction of the grain.

[kentuckyrifleman]

Jeff, how is the carving coming along?

[archer829]

It's been a busy spring with track meets and turkey hunting, so I haven't spent as much time working on this project as I'd like.  Probably a good thing, though, as it is keeping me from being impatient and starting the actual carving too soon.  I have a practice stock from Jim Kibler that I have carved, taken down to nothing, and carved again, and I am definitely improving, but I'm not yet to the level that I am ready to leave my mark on the real thing.   Soon, though....

Thanks again for all the help!
Jeff

[Pete G.]

Be particularly careful about which side of the line you cut on. Makes a big difference in the finished carving.

[Chowmi]

It's been a busy spring with track meets and turkey hunting, so I haven't spent as much time working on this project as I'd like.  Probably a good thing, though, as it is keeping me from being impatient and starting the actual carving too soon.  I have a practice stock from Jim Kibler that I have carved, taken down to nothing, and carved again, and I am definitely improving, but I'm not yet to the level that I am ready to leave my mark on the real thing.   Soon, though....

Thanks again for all the help!
Jeff

Jeff,
I'm glad you decided to practice.  I would suggest that when you are happy with your practice piece, you should post a picture of it here before you take a chisel to your gun.  You may learn a lot from critiques of your practice piece, and it might improve your gun in the end. 

Norm

[E.vonAschwege]

I'm late to reply to this topic, but I carved the same design a few years ago, and took photos as I went.  I recently put together a carving tutorial on my website, just one of a dozen ways to approach carving, but you may find it helpful as you start your project:  http://www.vonaschwegeflintlocks.com/erics-carving-tutorial.html

Practice makes better, make yourself a chunk of maple with a slightly convex face, which helps with cleaning up the background, as it would be on a rifle stock. 
-Eric