I can see how a person can get hooked on carving!

Ace Lungger · March 12, 2009, 06:33:43 PM

Howdy Pards,
I have started on a new peice of scrap leather, and I fininaly after a couple attemps found that sweet spot, were cutting beveling, using you spoons ect., do work like you are working with molding clay!
Detail makes all the difference in a good peice of carving!! Im, not near that close yet, and I can see if a person can take lesson, like JD pointed out, at least you can be advised what you are doing wrong, and how to correct it!
For me, I am flying blind, trying to figure out how to get certain looks! I also can see a person getting addicted to it!! For me it keeps my mind focus on what I am doing instead of my problems! I can also see why a lot of people stamp all there stuff
And I do not mean to take anything away from those that just stamp, because I myself have just now learned that I stamp way to fast, and that is why my stamping doesn't look as good as a lot of pards do! But by starting to carve, as taught me to slow down, and take small steps instead of leaps!

I am very, very great full to all of you that have explained that they didn't start off as Master Carvers!! and like you all stated practice practice practice!! I am not saying that all I am going to do is carve, because I am not! I just want to do a little at a time, untill I can do a good job!
Thanks again for all the advise, and I am allways open for any kind of help! Maybe tomorrow, I will post a pic of this last small carving I am working on!
Thanks
ACE

Marshal Will Wingam · March 12, 2009, 08:53:13 PM

There's a lot to be said for figuring things out on your own. You wind up doing things that others say can't be done. Of course you end up trying a lot of thiings that really can't be done, but it all works out. I learned by sitting at the table alone after work in Bakersfield when I was a cocky kid in my early 20's. I figured it out. You can too.

Johnny Dingus · March 12, 2009, 09:12:35 PM

Ace,

First you think the water is too cold and don't want to jump in and now you know how refreshing it is.

Looking forward to seeing your new carving....

Johnny Dingus

Ace Lungger · March 13, 2009, 08:19:01 PM

Thanks MW,
Johnny, I posted a pic this afternoon, were my first peice is posted! Like I stated it isn't anything to write home about but, I learned a lot!! And Next week it is going to be warmer, and I will be able to use the shop that has good lights.
Later ACE

cowboy316 · March 13, 2009, 08:27:29 PM

Ace
do me a favor and lay out a pattern and just carve it and dont do any tooling just yet i would like to see how your knife is cutting
Cowboy316

Ace Lungger · March 13, 2009, 09:14:50 PM

Cowboy316,
it is going to warm up, and I will get back to the shop, instead of the back porch. I will get this done and get it posted!
thanks
ACE

santee · March 14, 2009, 08:48:47 AM

You're on your way, Ace! I've only done the swivel knife/incised thing. Gonna venture into the 3D stuff on your shirt tails!

Ace Lungger · March 14, 2009, 11:35:16 AM

Howdy Santee,
I wished I had advice for you, but the only thing I have learned is if your leather is cased properly, you can work it like you want! I find it is very sueling to my mind, for there are a lot of things that stress me out, but leather working doesn't! And I don't expect to do a lot of carving, it is just something I want to learn, and practice on, untill I can do a decent job!
Santee as nice as you did on your swivel knife on that holster, carving for you will be a brezze!
Thanks for the kind words!
ACE