I just finished the carving on this walnut bowl. I snapped a few photos while carving the “necklace” around the rim. But first, a point about gouges:
One gouge can be pretty versatile, depending on how you use it. You can vary textures by changing the length or width of cuts. This gouge is 30mm wide with about a #6 sweep. But this relatively subtle texture was created with it by only using a small portion of the edge with each cut. Another way to think about it is to remember that in the standard system, gouge sweep is relative to the width of the gouge, so, for example, using a small portion of a #8 25 mm gouge will result in the same cuts as a #3 8mm gouge; they are based on the same radius of curvature and will inscribe approximately the same circle.
This series of photos follows the necklace carving, but this time rather than arched side walls, the side walls are straight.
After layout, I get some material out of the way by coming in to the center from each corner with a v-tool.
Then I continue to use the v-tool, tipping it over to remove more excess closer to the edges.
I stab into each junction with a skew chisel.
Working on the side walls first, I pare with the skew chisel.
Once I get further around the rim, I need to switch directions to work with the grain for clean cutting.
The end walls are sliced in a continuous movement that follows the curvature of the outer sweep of the necklace.
Tidy up the junctions as necessary. Take your time. The outer wall of the chips should appear to be continuous.
Ready for oil.
David Fisher, Carving Explorations 
oh yeah and you will show it to us again oiled?
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Sure, Marie!
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I have been trying to find a skew chisel like yours and have been unable to. Could you tell me where you found yours or where I might find one similar? Thanks.
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Mine was originally a Henry Taylor #1 18mm fishtail carving chisel. I ground the “skew” angle on it, so now it’s a fishtail skew carving (double bevel) chisel. I don’t remember where I got the Henry Taylor, but you could do the same to one like this https://www.woodcraft.com/products/pfeil-swiss-made-1-sweep-fishtail-gouge-20-mm-full-size
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You can get some Henry Taylor tools at Lee Valley.
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I picked up a (little) used long handled Ashley Iles Ray Gonzales hook skew a year or two ago on ebay (somebody was gradually selling off several tools the same, probably a carving school of some sort). It is a tool that has long intrigued me. Although I haven’t used it a lot so far, I do enjoy using it and cleaning up decorative cuts is mainly what I have used it for so far – and it worked very well. The price (in UK at least) is not bad for this clever, unique tool.
I wanted, and got, the long stem, long handled, longer bladed version but they also offer smaller butt/palm handle (popular in the US I gather)/shorter stem/shorter blade variants too. I am happy with my purchase 🙂
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Forgive me for butting in but I just saw this and this tool seems to offer a solution until time allows to modify a larger version. As it is depending on the place of the design the bottom part of the handle may be in the way so with a little filing it may be a good start? I couldn’t find any of the sites mention if it’s single or double beveled but that’s the least of it: Flexcut Detail Skew Knife KN32. Blade Bevel Length: 7/16″, https://www.flexcut.com/home/product/kn32-detail-skew-knife
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Thank you for the link. That does indeed look like it could work, at least for smaller examples. The edge length of 7/16″ would be too short for most of the necklaces that I carve. The skew is a little too drawn back too, which, as you said, may put the handle in the way. Still, possibly could be tweaked to work well.
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Although the Ashley Iles Ray Gonzales hook skew ( http://www.ashleyiles.co.uk/ray_gonzalez_tool.html ) is unique, apparently Pfeil offer something that is not that dissimilar, the Abegglen Detail Knife: https://whiteeaglestudios.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/abegglen-detail-knife/ (read the warning near the bottom!).
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These are similar tools out of Ukraine. Check the line of ‘similar items’ below this one, arrow to the right. Google translate helps as it is not an English site. Prices are excellent and tools are high carbon tool steel. https://stryi.ua/p45503211-stameska-nozh-kosyak.html
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A pure marvel. Such grace … thank you
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It’s interesting how different and much bolder in appearance the straight sides look compared to the curved. As always thank you for sharing your gift of carving and knowledge of method.
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Definitely a lesson on knowing how to get the best out of a few tools, rather than having a tool chest full of ‘one use’ tools.
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Astonishing control, design and finish once again Dave…
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Stunning.
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Gorgeous. So crisp and vibrant.
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Will you be teaching lettering or necklaces at Greenwood Fest?
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The exact offerings for the mini-workshops during the fest haven’t been finalized yet. These are 2-3 hour classes during the Fest. I was thinking about both, though. We could layout and carve the necklace on flat boards, even, which could also be a canvas for written notes and such and be a great reference to take home.
Once Paula has the details worked out, she’ll let those signed up for the Fest know about the mini-workshop options, then you’ll be able to register.
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I love that perfect line you created with the outside arc of the necklace.
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Pingback: The Nimble Fishtail | David Fisher, Carving Explorations
MR. DAVID, thank you so much for sharing what you know and have learned,people like you help out us so much.Do not have the money to go to a school and learn,would love to,but I canget into off internet. THANKS LANEY
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You’re welcome, Laney. Glad to know the information has been helpful and I wish you the best with your carving.
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Hi Dave,
Have you done an article on how you layout the bowl necklaces you do, or do you think you may do so in the future.
Thanks
Steve Anderson
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Steve, I wrote an article with that procedure in the Sept/Oct 2017 Fine Woodworking Magazine. The article title is “Mater Class: Decorative Chip Carving” and is in the same issue with my article called “Carve A Greenwood Bowl.” Here’s a post about that issue:
And here’s a page from my website listing articles:
I discussed some of the procedure in this post:
I’d still like to get everything organized in one package sometime. Thanks for your interest.
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Dave,
Thanks for the information, guess I have some reading to do.
Thanks again
Steve
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