Thread: Sense's pole.

I'm touched! I reckon you can develope the theme away from the literal meaning though although I undersatand you started from a battern, Huon pine at that.

Well done Rob. That looks great.
I'm especially taken by the hand. I've been thinking of carving a 'hand' pendant, so it grabbed me first.

That's an inspired design for a "story" pole.
Great idea to provoke an observer.
Technically appears far better than I might manage.

Thanks for the comments folks, yeah springwater I may revisit with a different approach sometime.
Hermit, I like the idea of a hand pendant, I just don't like the thought of trying to carving a hand in very small scale, I find them bloody
hard.
Thanks RV, "story pole" now you got me thinking on ideas for the other piece I have the same size.

Originally Posted by Robthechisel

Hermit, I like the idea of a hand pendant, I just don't like the thought of trying to carving a hand in very small scale, I find them bloody hard.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I've been discovering more of the joys of small scale carving today. Yesterday, I drew up a reef knot pendant to carve. The knot is 20mm x 15mm. Trying to carve it with my chisels turned out to be a veritable nightmare. (Smallest flat chisel I had was 8mm.)
In the end I spent the better part of 2 hours this morning making a 2mm chisel so I could finish it. Actually, I wish I'd done that earlier, all of a sudden miniature carving is (comparatively) easy.

Back on the hand pendant, _fly_ sent me a pic a couple of days ago of a hand pendant he picked up in Poland. Only 25 or 30mm. I have to give it a try, even if it comes out a bit rough. I like a good challenge. I could post a pic of _fly_'s one if you like.

I like it Rob. Congratulations

Great original piece, nice work, can't say I've ever seen a piece quite like it. As discussed above, a great starting point to explore the senses. Isn't Huon magic timber.

Originally Posted by Hermit

Yeah, I know what you mean. I've been discovering more of the joys of small scale carving today. Yesterday, I drew up a reef knot pendant to carve. The knot is 20mm x 15mm. Trying to carve it with my chisels turned out to be a veritable nightmare. (Smallest flat chisel I had was 8mm.)
In the end I spent the better part of 2 hours this morning making a 2mm chisel so I could finish it. Actually, I wish I'd done that earlier, all of a sudden miniature carving is (comparatively) easy.

Back on the hand pendant, _fly_ sent me a pic a couple of days ago of a hand pendant he picked up in Poland. Only 25 or 30mm. I have to give it a try, even if it comes out a bit rough. I like a good challenge. I could post a pic of _fly_'s one if you like.

Hi Hermit, Yes I'd like to see the pendant pic please. Also just curious how you are making your small chisels? are you using piano wire?.

Thanks Schaf & Claw hama, Yes huon is a dream to carve, I didn't have a clue what wood to use when I started a couple of years ago and was using off cut Radiator pine, Since I finally found some huon I know the the difference. I would love to try some Lime or white beech but can't find any.

Originally Posted by Robthechisel

Hi Hermit, Yes I'd like to see the pendant pic please. Also just curious how you are making your small chisels? are you using piano wire?.

Here's the pendant, not as well carved as your's, but it is pretty small:

Hand Pendant - _fly_.JPG


For my little chisel, I had trouble thinking of anything hard enough that I had laying around, then remembered how hard modern wood screws are, so I ground the thread off one and used it. A bit rough-looking, and the bevel isn't square, but it works well so I left it as it is. It's just on 2mm wide. Also the little reef knot I needed it for, half finished:

2mm Chisel.JPG

.....white beech but can't find any.

I can. By chance I have a metre length sitting in the shed doing nothing.
There are some cracks in it, but the end shown isn't bad. I could cut it off at the cracks, about 250mm long, and send it to you if it's of use. (250mm x 140mm x 40mm) If you are interested, PM me and I'll give you my email address to send your postal details to. I don't want anything for the timber. It'll be good to see a piece of it put to good use.

White Beech.jpg

good work guys, hands are quite a complex thing to do !

Originally Posted by copeau

good work guys, hands are quite a complex thing to do !

You mean good work Rob. I didn't carve the pendant, it was bought in Poland by _fly_.

Nice Rob

Been a busy li'l beaver ey? Good way to deal with features as well.
I have come to the conclusion that carving smaller can be harder than larger - in some ways, but you have to find the sweet spot I guess?

carry on

Originally Posted by Hermit

You mean good work Rob. I didn't carve the pendant, it was bought in Poland by _fly_.

oops !

Originally Posted by raav

Nice Rob

Been a busy li'l beaver ey? Good way to deal with features as well.
I have come to the conclusion that carving smaller can be harder than larger - in some ways, but you have to find the sweet spot I guess?

carry on

Keeping myself amused Raav, I agree with the above, small is much harder I find. How's the "towel rack" coming on?