Carving Lesson

[JD Alan]

I spent the better part of two days at Standing Bear's Trading Post in Reseda, California, in the greater LA area. It's WC's leather store, including, but not limited to Tandy products.

On Saturday we selected a holster carving from Al Stohlman's holster book, and WC carved what you see below in about two hour's time. Within that two hours he answered multiple questions about everything under the sun leather related (many from me) and also waited on customers, talked on the phone, and helped two other students who had come in to work on projects.

He was also helping me carve the same image, giving me directions on which tools to use, order of use, angles to hold them, how hard or soft to hit them, all with a good attitude!

He is not only an excellent carver, he is an outstanding and patient instructor. After watching him, I wrote down every tool used, and the manner and order in which it was used. I plan to go home and continue to work on this design before moving on to others.

Thanks WC, my time at your shop was most appreciated and enjoyed.

JD

[cowboywc]

Howdy JD
It was my pleasure to have you here. Let me know how your's comes out.
Thank you for the sodas, water and food.
A special thank you for what you left me. We'll talk.
WC

[Boothill Bob]

Soooo beautiful Wich I could

[Cliff Fendley]

Man that looks good

[GunClick Rick]

"Whew" Get after it JD

[JD Alan]

Believe me when I say the pleasure was all mine, and who knows, perhaps you've saved one or more of my fingers! I know I've got no business using a round knife at this stage of my game. Seeing what Lodi did to his finger with one was enough for me, because i know he's generally more careful than I am

God bless

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

   Good decision JD, don't fool with it until you feel you're really ready, not used right,( the round/head knife), it's like a rolling clever, because of the wide cutting area, it can do major damage, just remember, when you're cutting in a forward movement ALWAYS keep your free hand BEHIND the blade and away from it, when cutting towards yourself or drawing the towards your self KEEP YOUR FREE HAND BEHIND the blade, and never draw a knife directly in front of your body, always do it to the side, this way if you slip the knife will go by your side and away from your body, I've seen too many bad stab wounds by not paying attention to this. IMHO, just want to keep you safe pard.

        tEN wOLVES   

[GunClick Rick]

  Yikes

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Believe me when I say the pleasure was all mine, and who knows, perhaps you've saved one or more of my fingers! I know I've got no business using a round knife at this stage of my game. Seeing what Lodi did to his finger with one was enough for me, because i know he's generally more careful than I am

I have one but still prefer my shorty hand-made one for most work. It's what I learned on at the saddle shop so I guess it's what I'll stay with.

[JD Alan]

That's one brute of a knife Will. What did you make the blade out of? I'm sticking with the black Tandy utility knife; the one with the yellow round knob on it. My old one was getting pretty wobbly, so a new one was purchased at WC;'s (I should properly ID the shop for those who want do business with them, something I recommend) Standing Bear's Trading Post.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

JD, the knife is made from an old power hacksaw blade. You could also make one out of any good circular saw blade.