Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: Ruddy Darter on July 11, 2016, 02:24:22 pm
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After a lay off for various reasons I've managed to find the time and motivation to continue on a way overdue project that I started a while back for someone, who thankfully has been cool with the wait.
It's one side of a bow stand I posted a while back, a Welsh/heraldic style dragon in white oak. It's work in progress and I just finished the rough shape and now waiting for details, scales claws etc.., and then picked out with staining.I'm working on it a couple of hours each evening so shouldn't take to long to complete, touch wood. I'm hoping by doing a post now it will keep me committed to finishing, and thought it might be of interest to see the dragon transform from here, just having a little ponder at present on how best to put on the detail features.
Ruddy.
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You know that's a griffon and not a dragon. ;) Nice carving none the less! Well done.
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Thanks Pat B, it's going to look a fair bit different when the features and a bit more shaping are put on, now just hoping I do a reasonable job of it. :)
Here's a pic of what it's based on to give an idea of the features and what it will hopefully resemble when done and stained(Jacobian oak and red mahogony stains), although it's been modified to fit in a heraldic shield shape.
Ruddy.
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Wow, that's totally impressive work! Nice job 😊
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Thanks Knotty, I found it quite a brain drain how I would translate it to a carving, it wasn't as straight forward as I first thought, I'm back to enjoying it now though :)
Ruddy.
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Dragons, Griffons,,,Tomatoes, Tomato's :) Looks cool to me.
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Dragons, Griffons,,,Tomatoes, Tomato's :) Looks cool to me.
Kinda like arguing with bystanders whether it is a gator or a crocodile dragging you under!
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You know that's a griffon and not a dragon. ;)
^^ griffins lack teeth.
that is a dragon.
i can't wait to see the finish work on this because it looks amazing already.
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Very Nice ! Bob
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Thank you guys, feel pretty buzzed to crack on with it now, should get a couple of hours in tonight.
Ruddy.
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I like it Ruddy, it's cool what ever you'd like to call it. Sure look good hanging on my man cave wall
Bjrogg
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Thanks Bjrogg,
It's been one of those half finished projects I've had a mental block trying to get back into, and as it's being made for someone else I've been feeling bad about it, so thankfully the energy has returned and eager to complete all the carvings as well as enjoying it. I also have the reverse and two side pieces to complete.
Ruddy.
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Now that's cool! My brain doesn't work well enough in 3 dimensions to be a carver.
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Really cool!
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You got that beast pretty tamed down.
Can't wait to see what tricks you teach it. :)
Marvelous. Glad you shed the doubts and
procrastination.
Zuma
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...here's how it's coming on, belly,, rear legs and tail to do then fine grit all over for light stain and oil.
Ruddy.
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That's coming along real nice Ruddy. That's gonna look "Hot" when it's done.
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Thank you Bjrogg,
I'm enjoying doing 20mins here and there without stressing to get a finish, should get the rear legs done this evening,
Ruddy.
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I got all the carving completed this afternoon, just got to soften it and clean it up with some fine grit.
Ruddy.
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He's a handsome devil, I must say!
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He just keeps getting better looking there Ruddy. 👍
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He just keeps getting better looking there Ruddy. 👍
Yeah, you better stop before he bites someone!
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He just keeps getting better looking there Ruddy. 👍
Yeah, you better stop before he bites someone!
I w
Lol ;D, ..I'm having a little break from it tonight and please with how it's turning out, I'll give it a sand over tomorrow evening and try and get some stain on. It's quick drying the stain I'm using so hopefully first coat of Danish oil too. Two coats on for protection for when I work on the over side which I am now looking forward to starting, happy to say :)
Ruddy.
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Soften em up? ???
He looks kinda cuddly already :o
Outstanding Ruddy.
Zuma
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All done now, done and dusted :). I've put on a couple of coats of Danish oil just for protection , looks a little dull and needs another 2 coats for a nice sheen but I'll put them on when I have got the other side carved out. I must say I like how the grain of the oak has come through with the oil.(The stain should subtle down some more when the oak darkens with sun etc.)
Ruddy.
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Looks great, RD. Very nice work but I've come to expect that. ;)
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That is extremely awesome.
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Thank you Pat B and cantshoot,
I'm pleased I eventually got on to finishing it, and happy to be enjoying carving again :)
Ruddy.
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NICE ! Man - I like that - Bob.
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Thank you chamookman,
Ruddy.
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Really like it Ruddy thanks for sharing the progress.
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You are welcome Bjrogg, and thank you one and all for showing an interest...it helped me out of a rut and I got it carved :). When I got the whole project finished I'll show some pics.
Ruddy.
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I managed to get the York rose carved out on the other side, it's English holly wood set into oak that I collected myself a while back, so pleased it hasn't spalted at all and is a very clean ivory white,( managed to get a couple of big logs of it nicely split and seasoned for future projects.)
Just got to carve in a crisscross at the centre ( pencil marks) and guild it, hopefully sometime tomorrow. I thought I'd show a pic before I put on the gold centre and some Danish oil.
Ruddy.
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Wow! You have some serious talent.
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A rose by any other name....
Sweet
Zuma
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Looks like you're very much out of your rut to me Ruddy. Everything's coming up Roses.
Bjrogg
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Looks like you're very much out of your rut to me Ruddy. Everything's coming up Roses.
Bjrogg
:) :) :)
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Thanks very much again guys, its been a real help.
I just got round to gold leafing, it's going to take a while to dry, needs a couple of hours before I can smooth it and put on Danish oil, so I'll probably finish that tomorrow. I'm also going to pic out the leaves in the oak with some green watercolour staining once I've shaped them a little more, (still undecided). That's the main features pretty much done now.
Here's a pic with the centre carved and unsmoothed gold on..
Ruddy.
...just added another pic with 3 coats Danish oil on. Looks more like ivory I reckon.
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Once the finish was on the petals, they began to look like ivory. Cool effect!
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beautiful work!
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Good grief that is really cool
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Thank you very much Lumber man and YosemiteBen,
J.W. I was really pleased with how the Danish oil worked, this is the largest piece of holly I've carved with and was pleasantly surprised with the finish look, it's hard and tight grained this wood and polishes up like porcelain with xfine grit cloth ( I believe in years gone by it was actually used as imitation ivory). Looking forward to trying a few ideas out with the holly for future projects.
Managed to carelessly chew my thumb knuckle a little today with a rough tooth handsaw while cutting some brackets for the side pieces I'm working on, nothing major but keeps opening up when I use it, so a couple of days out. Good time for a break anyway :D
Ruddy .
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I got some time to finish designing and drawing out the stencil for the two side pieces, going to be a nice little challenge to saw out with my coping saw, all the knotwork will be sawn all the way through and needs to look reasonable on the reverse sides too, the knotwork will be undulating over and under when carved and shaped( 3/4" oak board). The central panel will remain solid and will have brackets on the reverse to receive the dragon/rose centre piece. The feet and bow holders will be inlayed with a slice of holly back and front with a dowel through the sandwich. The centre panel will have an acorn and oak leaf/leaves carved on, which I've yet to draw out, which was requested for personal and sentimental reasons.
Thought I'd show the design before I start.
Thumb is now o.k., (first time I used superglue and worked a treat :D)
Ruddy.
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Wow, like taking a ride on a roller coaster. >:D
Makes me want to hide my chisels. :laugh:
Inspiring Ruddy.
Zuma
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Thanks Zuma,
I've been pondering how the sides should be while working on the centre piece, I was looking on the web at Celtic knotwork and stumbled on carved Welsh love spoons and got ideas from there. I think having the knotwork sawn out instead of just carved in will give some lightness and a touch more elegance.
Just sawn two lengths of timber and got the stencil inked on...I started the saw cut with a square bit of timber this time and not my thumb knuckle...(what was I thinking? ::)) I was lucky to get away with a light warning :D.
Ruddy.
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👍👍👍👍👍👍cool Ruddy
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Lol thanks Bjrogg, thankfully I can give two thumbs up back :D. A bit too close to the tendon on the back of my thumb which it could of sliced like butter, left me feeling quite shaken up. Lesson learned :-\.
Ruddy.
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I hear ya there Ruddy my Dad lost his thumb in farm accident also his ring finger in another farm accident. He misses the thumb a lot more. Hard to do a lot of things without thumb
Bjrogg
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Ow :(, sorry to read that Bjrogg, that's a horrifying thing to have happen.
Ruddy.
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That's ok Ruddy the ring finger was probably about 43 years ago thumb about 39 he's doing fine but you never realize how much you use your thumb till it's gone. Glad you just had a close call. We don't let anyone wear rings anymore on the farm, one of my buddies that helps us out from time to time lost his ring finger but they actually sewed it back on.
Bjrogg
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Come on guys :(
You are making me queasy remembering
all the nasties of the past. ???
Please start a new blood and guts thread,
then I might make your stomach turn a bit. >:D
Really, this project is about elegant spoons and such.
The best I can do is drink whiskey with the patient and
then cauterize em.
Ruddy that is such a sweet under taking.
Zuma
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Sorry Zuma my bad
Bjrogg
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Sorry Zuma my bad
Bjrogg
No, not bad, you guys are fine, Mostly it's ok if one is prepared ???
I am never prepared :embarassed:
Zuma
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Fine carving! I like how you adjusted the beast to fit your shape, very nice! Finishing stuff with oil is always really satisfying, I find.
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Thank you Jodocus,
Yes, I really enjoy the oiling, it's always a surprise how the grain will come through, one of the main reasons I like oak :).
Ruddy.
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I got one side piece sawn out, been a little time consuming although relaxing and enjoyable, doing a little bit here and there and now feel I got in the swing of it, should get the other piece done tomorrow. The grain looks like it's going to come out groovey too, nice sweeping swirls.
(Pleased it has come out not to bad on the reverse side, should look alright with some squaring out with a chisel :))
Thought I'd update the progress...
Ruddy.
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You're more patient than I am. Nice work.
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Thanks Pat B,
Currently my spare time is split with other pursuits, which keeps them all enjoyable when I've had enough of one...so it's a little slow on progress, but this is the last of any major chore, save a couple of carved acorns with leaf/leaves, and the finish line is nicely in sight now :).
Ruddy.
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Looking forward to seeing the finished work. 8)
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I got the construction done, it breaks down into three pieces (the sides slot on and will be locked on with a dowel). (Had a few days out after pulling a back muscle at the gym... ::), all good now.)
Just got to shape the knotwork back and front and round off the bed where the bow/bows will rest, finish off the knotwork around the holly rose side, two little acorn and leaf carvings on each of the side pieces, tidy up all round then oil to finish...nice easy work to finish up with which should get done over the weekend :), I thought I'd post the progress now it's all together.
Ruddy.
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Really cool Ruddy, I like your method of splitting up your time on more than one project I agree it does keep thing more interesting and h lips keep from getting burned out. I never realized until you said it but I do the same thing.
Bjrogg
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Outstanding! 8)
Now I guess it's time for the monogram back story. >:D
Zuma
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Thanks Bjrogg and Zuma,
Finally on the home stretch. Yep Bjrogg, it does keep it more fun doing other stuff in between, also time to ponder how best to do stuff.
No worries Zuma, just over did it a bit and needed to rest up :D.
Ruddy.
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That is some fantastic (literally!) woodworking! You're quite right about cutting through the knotwork, it definitely lightens it up.
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Thank you very much Ranasp,
Yes, I'm glad I cut through the knotwork, thanks to the Welsh love spoon carvers for the inspiration, I am looking forward to carving the knotwork so it is undulating over and under...it should really pull it together if all goes well.
Ruddy.
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Here is the bow stand all finished, save for a final rub down and final coat of Danish oil, and pretty happy with how it came out. I decided on the single acorn which was requested and added a leaf top and bottom.
Ruddy.
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Beautiful work, Darter. I bet Lisa will love you for it. 8)
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Thank you Pat B, I've been quite a few months late getting this finished so I put a little more effort into it, I'll be handing it over this weekend and hopefully will be happily received :).
( the two dowels pull out and it breaks down to three pieces)
Ruddy.
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The finish is outstanding. 8) It really makes things pop. :)
Can you do one with the name Zuma on it? >:D
Zuma
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Sure thing Zuma, but I'd put your name on the dragon side, it'll be more of yang thang ;D
I do like how this oak soaks up the Danish oil, I think it goes a lovely colour, and nice and waterproofed.
Just put the final coat on...and all done ready for its new home. :)
Ruddy
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Swear to God, I will change my name to Lisa if you will send that to me!
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Outstanding Ruddy, that really turn out great.
Bjrogg
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Outstanding ! Bob
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Lol JW_ ;D, thank you very much guys :).
Ruddy.
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Very nice.
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Wow! Amazing craftsmanship...
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Thank you selbow Joe and Mounter,
Handed it over at the weekend and happy to say it was very well received, that was priceless and made it all worthwhile :).
R.D.
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Come on now Rudy. ;)
You must have a photo of the lucky mysterious recipient. ???
Shameless inquiring minds want to know >:D
Zuma
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Lol, sorry Zuma :D..no story to tell of such , the recipient is a very happily married lady and both her and her husband are keen competitive archers and members at my archery club ( sorry if I gave any other impression..it was unintentional), so the bowstand will be going to quite a few shoots (who knows...potential orders ;)), he's a stand up type of guy and he was just as thrilled when I gave it over....the bow stand is made to hold two bows and she is currently aiming to convert him to longbow :D.
R.D.
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It must be the romantic in me. O:)
I could see colorful ribbons ascending with dove's,
while the bells chime and Cupid looses another
barrage or arrows.
Oh well. making a buck is way better. >:D
Thanks for being a sport Ruddy :)
Zuma
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Wow, that's quite a picture Zuma, you must have some classical music playing ;D
All the best,
R.D.
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That is perfection to the limit.
WA
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Would love to see a photo of that stand at "full draw" with two bows and attending arrows/gear. Next time she and her husband bring it to a shoot, ask them for a chance to photograph it. Pretty is always nice. But pretty and useful is wonderful!
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Thank you Chippintuff and JW_, will do, I'll ask and have my phone cam at the ready. :D
R.D.
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outstanding craftsmanship!!! I got a thing for celtic knotwork. John
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Just stumbled on this post. Very nice work, very nice