The Whale in Buckeye Burl

I wanted something different to store my Kamisori style straight in that wasn't just a block of wood or box.

Sooo,,,

With my wife and daughters help and guidance we found this Sperm Whale carving. We do a lot of whale watching out here...
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So I bought this...
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And turned it in to this...
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I was going to add more detail like the eyes, mouth line and fins but on the test piece they were almost impossible to see in the woods pattern once I treated it. Im going to look around for some black felt to replace the green so it blends in better. Ive never carved wood before and this is my very first project. I did discovered that I do not have the tools required but I didn't give up with what i had to work with. Hope you like it.

Nice work! Do you have any progress pictures?

Very lovely carving and a very original place to store your razor.

This is the first pic I took. Wish I had taken a few more. You can see where I left the divet for the end of the handle to fit in at the tail junction.
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This when I started to fine tuning the shapes like the tail and facial area.
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Im almost embarrased to say this but the only tool I had to shape this with was this grinder. I was able to get it to the shape in the first pic by using it. I then took a vibrating hand hand sander to carve and shape the rest of it. Used a Dremel to shape the tail. Then hand sanded all of it with 200, 400, 600, and 800 grit. Its as smooth as glass.
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Im using it to set my Kami's in on the sink when I use them instead of just setting them on the counter. I have a bigger storage box with everything in it but its too large to set on my counter top.

Very well done!

Very creative:chapeau

Indeed, A good job! Very cool! I don't think it needs eyes or a mouth. With that wood, You can see anything you want to in it.

Just plain cool!!!

Pete <:-}

Wonderful design.
I wouldn't add a thing.
Thanks for posting.

Excellent idea, and well done!

That's some fantastic work you did, and such a great idea. Very well done! Oh and good choice of wood, can't go wrong with Buckeye burl.

That's pretty cool. Well done.

Thanks everyone. It wasn't what I was initially thinking in design but its what it morphed into. I would love to do a Koi fish but the tail doesn't lend itself to being part of the holder for a handle. Plus I don't have the tools for something that intricate.

A slick enough project that I shared the pictures with my wife. You get two thumbs up from our house.

"Thar she blows" seems like an appropriate response. Nice work. :tu

That is very creative. It looks great. Wrong tools or not it is a very nice job.

Whale watching is a common pastime here too. I love it. If I had the skill and tools, I'd do the same for one of my fixed blades. Well done!

1st time carving and it turned out that amazing!
I think you have discovered a hidden talent.
Hoping to see more stuff from you

Fanatastic! What a wonderful & innovative storage method.

Really cool work man!
:tu :tu

Wow! that is nice.Very creative and the blade shape and design matches perfectly. i would say you used the best tools for the job. burl could be a real challenge with chisels.

Thanks guys, Im a bit overwhelmed at how well received this project was. Thank you for the votes of encouragement.

GREAT JOB on the whale.
Looks great without the extra details, makes it looks like an antique of aboriginal art.
I like it!

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Originally Posted by Willisf

GREAT JOB on the whale.
Looks great without the extra details, makes it looks like an antique of aboriginal art. I like it!

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That's what I thought as well

Very creative. Buckeye burl was a beautiful choice.

Update on the whale:

After looking at the whale in its natural environment, I decided to put a high gloss finish on it. The matte finish wasn't fitting in. I also found the black felt and have it all snugged in place now. So here it is all finished and in its new home.

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After looking at the before and after I agree with the finish, looks even better. Great job!

Very nice! the high gloss finish makes it look like stone. Well done! Enjoy!

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Originally Posted by Martin103

Very nice! the high gloss finish makes it look like stone. Well done! Enjoy!

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Thats exactly what the wife said to me. I put 6 coats on it. Sanding it smooth between each layer.

That's pretty awesome. One question, you have any concerns about the felt holding on to room moisture against the steel?

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Originally Posted by globaldev

That's pretty awesome. One question, you have any concerns about the felt holding on to room moisture against the steel?

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Not really. I treated it with a touch of silicone. Plus I only use this when I get my Kamis out to shave. It's not for long term storage. Its only some place to set them during my shave routine besides laying them on the counter top to protect the edge. I converted an ornate cigar humidor into my long term storage unit. Which BTW I am rapidly outgrowing. Ive been looking into somethings to convert that will store more. Just waiting to find that one item that is so perfectly unique that I can modify.