Simple tang carving ideas

[JLayne]

I am reaching the finishing stages on a Kibler Colonial and am thinking about trying some carving for the first time. Kit is too nice to screw up by getting too ambitious on a first attempt, so I was thinking about limiting the carving to some lock and side panel beavertail moldings and possibly something simple around the tang. I am looking for photos of simple tang carving a beginner should be able to pull off to give me some ideas, if anybody has some they could share.

Thanks in advance.
Jay

[Bill Raby]

   Skip the whole simple for a beginner idea. Pick a design that you like instead of one you think you will be able to do. Then get a maple board and give it a try on that. Keep at it until you can do it. If it just won't work, at least you will get an idea of what you are capable of and can work from there. People seem to be capable of more than they realize at first.

[rich pierce]

Here’s a simple “apron” from a fowler.

[smart dog]

Hi,
Here is a design that is not hard to do but looks great, has some sophistication, and is from an original long rifle:







I've carved it several times and it just requires a small (1/16-3/32"") flat chisel for stabbing in, a small flat skew chisel, a small shallow gouge, and a "V" chisel. A small rounded scraper is also useful.

dave

[flehto]

Shown is a design that looks difficult but really isn't ....just takes some patience. I like it because it really adds something to the rear of the tang......Fred




anonymous image hosting

[RAT]

Check out rifle #19 from Shumway's "Rifles of Colonial America". Simple, yet graceful. The beavertail around the tang perfectly compliments the beavertails around the lock and side plate panels.

[Dave B]

This is a simple design that looks good. You can use incise lines vs the wire inlay at the finial.

[Jerry V Lape]

Having been a "beginning" carver I want you to give you my take on carving.   Beginning carvers need stay away from that rifle and begin practicing a lot.  They also need to carefully examine the work of good originals or of current builders who have mastered carving.  I couldn't really understand the carving until that perspective was gained and in my case took a class from one of the best carvers of the day (same guy who produced your kit.)  It also advanced my building skills. So get a couple practice butt stocks of hard curly maple and draw whatever pattern you like. Kibler sells a practice kit complete with a buttstock and a three dimension example.  If you can't get to a class the carving kit should help.     

[rich pierce]

Check out rifle #19 from Shumway's "Rifles of Colonial America". Simple, yet graceful. The beavertail around the tang perfectly compliments the beavertails around the lock and side plate panels.

Great suggestion, Bob. Some of these other designs are easy for the experienced carver but could be a nightmare for a true beginner.

[Metalshaper]

I'm wondering if practicing on an old baseball bat would be 'somewhat' appropriate for carving practice?? Like I was told years back when
considering what to try and practice on for checkering?? use the various arcs provided by the bat to simulate setting up and making the cuts.
Lots of old cracked and abused maple bats hanging out in garage sales and even antique stores.

Just thinking out loud, and maybe it'd help someone?

Respect Always
Metalshaper/Jonathan

[Top Jaw]

Here is a simpler type that isn’t too complicated, but adds a lot.

[CooleyS]

Here is my first attempt at a simple carving. Make some mock ups of the tang area and practice until you feel comfortable. It’s still nerve wracking to take a chisel to a real stock for the first time! Good luck

[Daryl]

CooleyS- judging by the grain structure in that wrist, I'd be very careful how much pressure you put on that stock in a vertical direction.
Cool carving, BTW.

[Craig Wilcox]

And Cooley, I like the sharp, definitive line around the lock.  Really separates the lock panel from the base rifle.  Wood has a real nice stain, look sbeautiful, but as Mike says, beware of vertical pressure in that area.

[Daryl]

Mike?

[Craig Wilcox]

OK, Daryl - -  -ain't Mike your middle name?  OK, had a mental lapse.  Sorreee.

Cooley, you still need to watch vertical pressure, but there are a ton of similar wrists rolling about without problem.

[thecapgunkid]

Nice samples.

Is the clam shell more or less popular with the English?

[Daryl]

OK, Daryl - -  -ain't Mike your middle name?  OK, had a mental lapse.  Sorreee.

Cooley, you still need to watch vertical pressure, but there are a ton of similar wrists rolling about without problem.

Maple has pretty good early/late growth "glue", not as good as hickory, but better than ash and red oak.
LOL on the "lapse'. I do that sometimes, too.