Canoe

I really like it!!!

I want to make one so I can display it proudly. Very cool

Whittling - this art form always fascinated me. I recall reading about it in Mark Twain's Huck Finn and thinking, "Wow, that's cool make something with a Jack Knife and a hunk of wood! What could be simpler?"

Then I tried it a few time only to realize it took skill, and a sharp knife which I didn't own. Nor could I figure how to sharpen the one I had. So it was another one of those childhood fancies that disappeared into the vapors. Well it never really disappeared, because when I see your work, the memories come flooding back.

Thanks, Buckskin, for resurrecting an old memory by sharing your work - you've brightened my day.

You are welcome Don and yes sharp tools are the key. Fortunately I learned how to sharpen knives long before I tried carving or whittling. The trick I think is once they are close to razor sharp is to strop them on in. For most everything else with knives I use a diamond steel and once they will shave hair I consider it done. Pick up a knife and a piece of scrap and go exploring. I think you will find its worth the time in relaxation alone.

I have a neighbor whose wife thought his whittling was a waste of time.
I told him that he was doing double duty by mulching his yard at the same time.

Sharpening is the hardest part of carving, at first, and I still don't have it right. I am close to getting it right but I can't get a consistent sharp edge yet.

It looks like you started out with the idea of seats (?) in your canoe and ended up with the open design That is one of the things I enjoy about the process, you can change your mind in the middle of a project, or the wood changes your mind .. or was it the knife that changed your mind <grin>, the point is that you can make adjustments as you go and have fun.

If you enjoy working with wood, it is something everyone should try at least once.

Snowdog I think between the knife, the wood, and lack of experience is what made the seats get omited. You are right I was amazed how the project evolved.

an excellent canoe buckskin!
i also thought i'd chime in on the sharpening bit. my brother is a bit of a knife aficionado and he's the one that introduced me to the Smith's Precision Sharpening System it is easy to get a hair shaving edge every time and maintain a constant angle, which is a very important part of knife sharpening. plus the kit is only about 20 bucks. i'm just a novice knife sharpist, but all my knives can shave. if any of ya'll try it out let me know what your experience is.

I will check out the sharpening system. I am looking for a way to better sharpen chisels and plane irons. Thanks for the tip.

For chisels and plane irons I would recommend looking at the WorkSharp. I purchased one a while back and blogged about it. Although, I do not think it would be the best for knives….

http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/WayneC/blog/1113

Also Mot reviewed his Lee-Valley Sharpener

http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/mot/blog/1149

I have seen them both and I think I like the Lee Valley Sharpener. But I as so cheap… Maybe for Christmass.