Second Santa Ornament this fall.

This guy was inspired by Tom Hindes.  He is a great knowledge base to draw from.  For more of Tom you can start here.  http://beginnerscarvingcorner.blogspot.com/

We're off to see the Wizard

A friend of mine asked me if I could make Wizard of Oz ornaments for his Aunt. This is my try at them. I hope you like them.

They are 3/4" x 3" pine. With a DEFT Satin finish.

Thanks for looking!

Carving the Eagle, Globe and Anchor, Final Chapter

All things must come to end.  This piece will have some dates added to it as it has been spoken for by another Marine.  Now I know I can carve a walking stick sized Marine Corp Emblem.  I think it came out pretty good.

Carving the Eagle, Globe and Anchor Part IV

Carving the Eagle, Globe and Anchor Part III

Carving the Eagle, Globe and Anchor Part II

Carving the Eagle, Globe and Anchor Part I

A High School classmate of mine and fellow Veteran asked me about making a USMC walking stick for him.  He would like the Marine Corp Emblem on it and I have no idea if I can carve it.  You can follow along here and observe my progress as I go along.  It will also serve as a bit of tutorial for any one who wants to try it themselves.

I am carving this prototype in a piece of poplar dowel that is 1 1/8" and about 6" long.

Come along for the ride.  Comments and questions along the way are welcome.

Survival Fishing Kit

This is a fishing kit I made for a Gentleman in Virginia.  I got the idea to make these from this video on YouTube.  Pocket Fishing Kit Pt. 1

I have enjoyed making these and have tested them.  They will float if you do not put an over abundance of split shot in the tube.  I have caught small Crappie on these rigs.  No huge lunkers, but a meal in a pinch.

Bushcraft USA Fishing Kit Forum Thread

The following pictures where taken by "upthecreek" on BushcarftUSA.com.  He seems to be very pleased with it and I can't wait to see pictures of his first catch!

Gandalf FireSteel

Here is another hand carved firesteel.  This on is carved in pine and soaked in BLO.

Wood Spirit Firesteel 1015

Here is another one for your viewing pleasure.  He has been sold and moved on to the Northeast to a new home.

Wood Spirit Firesteel

Here is a brand new offering.

If you like him you may purchase him in my Etsy shop.  www.buckboardwoodworks.etsy.com.

Some new Wood Spirits

These guys I just finished the other day and are on their way to a new home in Martinsville, VA.

New Tools To Play With

I recently acquired a brand new Foredom Power Carver.  This is my second session with it on the same piece.  Granted this is a huge departure from my lets do it the traditional (hard) way.  But, I think I am really liking this tool!

Stay tuned!

Making stuff again

I finally have some dexterity and range of motion so, I can make a few things.  Granted these are not wood working or carving related, but there are some things that work well with wood in the photo.

Thanks for looking!

Where did he go?

In case some of you may have been wondering why my blogging stopped.  


I was injured at work in February at am still in recovery.  The following was posted by my wife on http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/forum/f59/buckskin-out-3-months-hand-truck-psa-30416/




Hi everyone. This is Frank's wife. Frank is temporarily totally disabled due to a hand truck tire explosion that occurred Friday, Feb. 19, 2010.

He was at work airing up a tire on a hand truck that exploded. Something, somewhere, was obviously defective. The rim separated, shearing the axle pin and crashing into his hands. The tire flew up and hit him in the middle of his forehead. He was rushed into emergency surgery to have two pins placed into his fifth metacarpal (boxer's fracture) on his left hand and a plate with 7 screws in his middle finger on his right hand. The middle finger was severed along with the tendon and was hanging on only by the skin on the palm side of his hand. The index and ring fingers were lacerated as well. The tire produced a golf ball sized goose egg on his forehead. He says his noggin is fine, but I sometimes beg to differ! LOL

After a post-op check up with the hand surgeon yesterday, he will be out of commission for, at the least, 12 weeks and another surgery projected in the next 6-8 weeks.

Frank asked that I post this as a safety message regarding small pneumatic tires (and possible shop equipment).

Since Frank is unable to type, he wanted to thank everyone in advance for your understanding and well wishes.

The picture of him below smiling is prior to surgery while he was happily enjoying a lot of morphine! The girl in the picture is the ER nurse.

Frank says 'Thanks and be safe out there!'

Garage Sale Find

I found this knife at a garage sale today for $0.50. 

It says its Japanese Stainless and has a full tang. 

The spine is 1/16" thick. From tip to edge bevel is 2 3/4" and is 7 1/4" over all. Blade width from edge to spine is 11/16". 

I am going to put an edge on it and make a sheath for it. It might make a good neck knife.