Beautiful job! The only thing, I should have suggested, was to to flatten the back of the cross, and sides, and run a groove in the sides, before applying the epoxy, and inserting the cross, I think it would hold a bit better. Have you thought of doing that with bone? Like I said for someone who has never used burning tools, you did extremely well. Like I said, there a lot of various types of blades, for the hand pieces, from large, to small, scales, feathers, etc., it takes a steady hand, and eye, and the right touch to do a good wood burning. Too much pressure, too long in one spot, too much heat, etc. can ruin a project in a heart beat. It is a beautiful art form. There is a neat combination unit, I have seen at one of the wood carving clubs, it has the Burner, and carving hand piece and motor, all in one unit, and is actually cheaper than purchasing them separately. The wood carver motor is not for large projects, but performs very well on smaller hand held projects, and for detail work on larger projects. The burner unit is adjustable, and the hand piece can take various burning blades. I have seen some phenomenal work, done with pyrography. You definitely have the innate ability. Again beautiful work. AND LUCKY RECIPIENT !!! Just nice work all around, your work, and KW's .
I finally broke down, after years of trying to justify the expense, and bought a Granfors Bruks, hatchet. It is close to being a tomahawk. Very light, well balanced, and hand forged, and signed, and a 20 year warranty. It is the hunters axe, or hatchet. It has the thinner poll, and is somewhat rounded, to facilitate with skinning . You can start the skinning, and pull the skin up, and hit between the skin, and carcass, to loosen, and peel the hide back. Very pleased with it, but the price is way up there, but I finally convinced myself that if I did not get one now, I might not get the chance to get one, later. Plus this was in a big Sporting goods, store, in Kalispell, so there was no tax, as there would be if I got it elsewhere. I decided it was time I bought something for myself, and justified it with, butchering Deer, Elk, and other big game, plus using it as an all around camp, and hiking tool. It just feels great in the hand. Came with a "Real" leather case. Not anything real fancy, but well made, and supple, and serves it's purpose well. I spent too much for it, but if you want something really nice you will have to pay for it. It is more expensive than a bigger hatchet, or axe. Supposedly, because the smaller ones are more time consuming. Could be. Anyway, I am very happy with it.
Wayne
