recent carvings

[Rosco]

I wasn't able to due much carving during the spring because I've been building a new workshop.I've now just about topped out so here's a few recent pieces I've been able to do.
Ladle is some kind of Sorb, Coffee scoop is Burr Birch, Spatula in Ripple Sycamore, Teaspoon Yew and the Wooden spoon is Rowan.
I've mentioned it before but Rowan gives beautiful results and really comes alive when it's been oiled, so I'd recommend it to any other carvers who haven't tried it yet. All the best John
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj315/johnmull_album/carvings7-08003.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj315/johnmull_album/carvings7-08002.jpg

 

[Indoorsout]

They look fantastic! I have to try some new spoons

 

[chickenofthewoods]

Utterly beautiful. I love the ladle, especially the rib effect along the back of the bowl.

Deeply envious now.

 

[DoctorSpoon]

Those are really lovely John I agree rowan is a fantastic wood and have you tried field maple? We felled a couple a short while back at the side of our house and it has been working beautifully even though it's getting a bit dry now.
Nicola

 

[Hoodoo]

Fine looking work!

 

[Ozhaggishead]

Damn good work mate!

 

[jon r]

spectacular carving there! very nice indeed!:You_Rock_

 

[robin wood]

Fantastic stuff John,
No need for that advanced course any more me thinks.

 

[Rosco]

Thanks for your kind words of encouragement everyone, very much appreciated.Nicola I have tried some Maple and if I think it had a similar feel to the Rowan and dried nice and hard if I remember correctly. In the spirit of trying different timbers I have some Walnut and Blackthorne logs to try next so lets see how they turn out!
Rob- you must be joking mate, still a long way to go before I get anywhere near half as good as your work; I'll definately be looking to get on an advanced course, particularly to improve axe skills. Btw I bet you didn't realise I spoke to you at the Edale country fair (your school must be quids in by the attendance)
All the best John

 

[DoctorSpoon]

Btw I bet you didn't realise I spoke to you at the Edale country fair (your school must be quids in by the attendance)

Rob has a notoriously dodgy memory when it comes to names and faces ... you should have explained to him! The event made around £10k to be split between the village hall and the school, but as a small school with only 25 kids it needs all the help it can get. It's our youngest's last day ever there today - he's loved it there, but is ready to move on!
Nicola

 

[robin wood]

Rob has a notoriously dodgy memory when it comes to names and faces ...

How embarasing, sorry John, as Nicola says...I often recognise faces but have no idea where from so just carry on chatting in a friendly way hoping it will click.

 

[Rosco]

Hehe, no worries mate- I'm not one to make a fuss and my initial intention was to ask for a demo of axe-work but it was so punishingly hot I didn't have the heart. What I was going to ask was whether your mate Andy held any stock of hardwoods from his tree surgery business; what I particularly wanted was some rippled Sycamore, slab, board or even just blanks.
Incidentally I had the whole family at the show with me and they had a really good day- the viking forge guy near you had some had some nice little tools, but no prices - were they expensive?
John (big nose, no hair, coalfields accent!!!)

 

[DoctorSpoon]

We had some lovely rippled sycamore last winter from a NT place just down the road. Officially it was for logs, but we also made some lovely spoons from it. I'll ask Robin to talk to Andy (they were both getting timber from there) and/or we'll pass on his phone number.

 

[British Red]

Loving that coffee scoop

Really must get to learn from Robin & Nicola at some point....my carving is.....functional at best

Red

 

[Rosco]

thanks Nic
John

 

[brancho]

Nice work there

 

[IntrepidStu]

I wasn't able to due much carving during the spring because I've been building a new workshop.I've now just about topped out so here's a few recent pieces I've been able to do.
Ladle is some kind of Sorb, Coffee scoop is Burr Birch, Spatula in Ripple Sycamore, Teaspoon Yew and the Wooden spoon is Rowan.
I've mentioned it before but Rowan gives beautiful results and really comes alive when it's been oiled, so I'd recommend it to any other carvers who haven't tried it yet. All the best John
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj315/johnmull_album/carvings7-08003.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj315/johnmull_album/carvings7-08002.jpg

Nice work. If you dont mind me asking; How, and with what, did you oil them???

 

[robin wood]

Hehe, no worries mate- I'm not one to make a fuss and my initial intention was to ask for a demo of axe-work but it was so punishingly hot I didn't have the heart. What I was going to ask was whether your mate Andy held any stock of hardwoods from his tree surgery business; what I particularly wanted was some rippled Sycamore, slab, board or even just blanks.
Incidentally I had the whole family at the show with me and they had a really good day- the viking forge guy near you had some had some nice little tools, but no prices - were they expensive?
John (big nose, no hair, coalfields accent!!!)

John,

I have some logs of sycamore which have ripple, what are you making? if it's for spoons/spatulas etc I am sure I can sort you out for free. Andy doesn't have any ripple boards he did cut some sycamore boards and we do intend to go back and mill a tree which I am pretty sure is ripple. It has been lying for a while now so it will be stained,with creams and browns rather than pure white, I tend to prefer it that way.

I am with Red by the way love the little burry scoop.

 

[Rosco]

Hi Stu,
I use cold pressed linseed oil, also sold as flaxseed oil
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj315/johnmull_album/carvings7-08005.jpg
If you do a search under "linseed" I'm sure you'll find all the gen on the whys and wherefores about it's use from experienced carvers.I think you can warm it in a saucepan and dip your piece in there, but I bought a cheapo fish steamer/bain marie off the market for about a tenner. I have filled this with oil and I just bob any carvings in there for up to a couple of weeks to allow them to saturate. The steamer has a tray which is handy because it stops the wood floating and absorbing unevenly
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj315/johnmull_album/IMGP0003-1.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj315/johnmull_album/IMGP0002-2.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj315/johnmull_album/IMGP0001-2.jpg
The linseed oil I get from a local tack shop who sell it at a very reasonable price( I think it gives horses a shiney coat).
Cheers John

 

[IntrepidStu]

Cheers John. I was missing this information.

Stu