Shaving Horse 's

Before you reach for a straight razor and head for the corral read on. I spoke with a club member about using a shaving horse to make walking sticks. He mentioned he was going to build a fancy one with some plans from Lee Valley Tools. I replied that I had some other plans of wooden horses in my files at home. I promised to bring them to the next meeting. In the mean time I looked up shaving horse on the internet and turned up some interesting things. Check out http://bloodandsawdust.com for some interesting reading. Another site with more on shaving horses is http://www.greenwoodworking.com . When I think of all the sticks that I have done with only a knife and some carving tools it makes me want to build a shaving horse real soon to save on some of the work.

The Picnic

Six members got together for some food and enjoyable conversation at Roger's clubhouse. It was nice and cool inside. The clubhouse faces east so while it was very hot outside we were quite comfortable inside. The food was quite good and the company was great as well. We finished up with pie and ice cream and were out in time to enjoy the sun set.  While you're looking around here check out Lynn O, Doughty's blog at outwestwoodcarving.blogspot.com/ . Lynn has done some fine work in the last while. He has set the bar higher each time. I'm excited about his recent work Road Agent and The Dog Soldier. To see these carvings and the start of the latest video series on how to carve a mexican eating spicy food click on the link and you can start to learn along. Lynn starts with the head in the first video. Lynn has well over 100 videos on Vimeo. There is a lot of free learning there. 

And so the year begins.

Well the first meeting of the year is behind us and I think it went well. We were down staged to the pool hall again this year but we still had a good turnout for the meeting. There were some great carvings to look at and admire. Larry showed us some great footage and gave some practical tips on sharpening. I think the key is to find a system that works for you and practice till you get it right. I learned a few things that I will be trying myself to see if I can get that razor edge a little sharper.

Don't forget to whittle or grind up a Christmas ornament for the October meeting.  Here are some samples  of things members have carved before. The second picture is Pete Leclair's portable sharpener. I got a little nervous at the suggestion to put a drill in your lap and sharpen with one hand. Maybe she had nothing to lose but I have seen small POWER tools run amuk. Ouch! Explain that to the emergency room people.

www.jordanstraker.com

Need I say more. Check it out he was a member of our club and this is his latest marvel. Way to go Jordan! You motivate us. He is on Facebook as well stop by and say hello.