Thread: What are you working on?

Well, there ain't much harder than bone. It is relatively cheap, stands the test of time. Men have been carving on it forever.
Some scrimshaw would be easier to impress, yet more tedious!

I have played around with scrimshaw a little. I need better drawing skills in order to do scrimshaw well. I do really like it and perhaps over time.

Beautiful work Rez here a few carved scales that i had saved perhaps they will inspire you.

NOW we are putting him to work!

Thanks Martin. I am not sure my skills are there yet, I do have some MOP to laminate and carve too. All in good time.

Those look terrific Shaun.
Really nice carve work there sir..

Originally Posted by RezDog

So bone scales are not quite as easy to carve as I would like them to be.
Attachment 248924
Attachment 248925
Not really a swing and a miss but not really the quality I am looking for.
More practise apparently.

I think these are very well done and I and I am trying to think about how to put my thoughts in words.....

You are probably your worst critic and many would be very happy with your mistakes.

Keep growing and learning.

Send me your imperfect/mistakes any day!

Ok got back to the wedge on the left, cleaned it up a bit more and attempted a re hone. First attempt did not fare so well so this time I went with 2 layers of tape reset the bevel and then on up the progression. First time I just bare backed it and even though it would take hair it was tugging bad. The one on the right even though today was as stated in my SOTD effortless it was not as keen as my other blades. So that one I took back to the 4k for just a bit and then back to 8K then I will strop and see what I get from there. I am struggling with the wedges for sure I have two that I can not seem to get. But all in good time. Next on the block is my 2 little wedges they get scales when I get the time. Hope everyone is having a good week!

Honing tends to be all about the bevel being complete, and then polishing it. Once it is set you can mess it up while honing and have to go back. I trust you are using a good loupe. To me seeing that the bevel is set is the only way it really works. My tests are mostly about weather or not to look at it for the most part. Once the bevel is a perfect apex from heel to toe then how I use my loupe changes to looking at it from the side and seeing the stria disappear into the new stria and on up. I might even consider three layers of tape on that little wedge. There are tables to help you decide how many layer is needed but to be honest I have always just guessed. However if you want to be correct and scientific...

Yes I finally have a loupe, rather a pocket microscope which I am still learning to use. Before I had that I just went off two things really how "sticky" the pad of my finger was on the edge and if it would easily take arm hair. I really only struggle with the wedges I have another that I thought was shave ready but test shave proved otherwise quickly. I usually leave them for a bit and then I rediscover the wedge another day and give it another go. Always learning and loving it I did not know there was a table to determine tape usage! I have kinda guessed with how many layers so far. I know on my other wedge which is bigger I went with 3 layers so that is the only reason I assumed 2 would do on this blade. Thanks for the info Rezdog.