Shabumi Posted February 21, 2020 Author Share Posted February 21, 2020 #6-#11 are freehand embeleshments on the handles of my scrolling forks. Got to try out the new rock chisel fuller from above for the wings and wizards beards. Im liking it's marks so I don't think I will change the head, yet. I do need to shorten the handle on the fuller though, I was striking the tool around bicep height. Much too high. Also need to figure out a better way to do mustaches, it didn't come out as well as I thought it would Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBones Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 I think the one on the right, your wizard looks like something from the "Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers." Both are most totem pole looking, quite cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 35 minutes ago, BillyBones said: Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers." I haven't thought about that comic since the last time I looked at a relix magazine. Probably 1995 Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasent Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 Absolutely love the Totem pole idea! May have to play with a few. Great work on the scroll forks. Loving this thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shabumi Posted February 22, 2020 Author Share Posted February 22, 2020 Thanks, I really liking the totem pole idea too, the idea came from the first owl I did. After i had it finished I kept seeing the negative space between the wings as a hat and the owls feet as eyebrows, so I figured I'd try a wizard. I've only been loosely introduced to the fabulous furry freak Bros. My dad had a book with most of the Fat Freddy's Cat comics, they were hilarious. Maybe that influenced me subconsciously Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shabumi Posted February 28, 2020 Author Share Posted February 28, 2020 #12 is a bird head handled punch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 Thanks for the Freak Brothers flash back! Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shabumi Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 Decided to make the bird head into a eye punch. It had a bit of a fish mouth, so I used it to "center" the drill bit as I drilled the pupil, then ground down to flat and shaped the sides. Added a pyrocantha stick for a handle as I'm just holding it instead of swinging it, and did a quick test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 If you leave the thorns on it will "stick" more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shabumi Posted March 2, 2020 Author Share Posted March 2, 2020 Darn, I shoulda left the thorns on. Oh well, at least this way my hand won't burn every time I pick up the tool. Pyracantha litteraly translates to fire(pyr) thorn(akantha) in Greek, and it is aptly named. After getting stuck by it the wound aches for a couple hours with an almost burning feeling, I know from personal experience. Makes an excellent hedge though, no one tries to get through it, especially if there are blackberries growing in it. I figured a handle for a smithing tool from a plant with fire in it's name would be appropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 I had a locust tree that had been hit by lightning I thought would make good handles---especially for students forging during lightning storms---"Lift the hammer high over your head!" Had to move before I could harvest any of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shabumi Posted March 2, 2020 Author Share Posted March 2, 2020 Now that you mention it, Locust would make good handles. I have a few nice pieces in the firewood pile a can pull aside to try. I wonder if the yellow color in the middle of the pieces will stay after it's worked into a handle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 UV usually turns it brown. I have a small ballpeen hammer I made a handle for from Osage Orange---BRIGHT YELLOW when installed, now a dark orange brown after years of UV, oxidation and use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shabumi Posted March 2, 2020 Author Share Posted March 2, 2020 I guess I could have looked at the wood to answer my question. Here's a piece I was talking about. Yellow inside on the "fresh" cut, but a nice chocolate brown color on the end exposed to the elements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBones Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 Doesnt someone make a UV resistant urethane or maybe a resin? Perhaps a coating of that will help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 Help with the colour but not with the use of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoshinjoe Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 Awesome thread and awesome progress so far. I want to get in to animal heads this year too. I love the owl scrolling forks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shabumi Posted March 7, 2020 Author Share Posted March 7, 2020 Thanks Joe. I appreciate the encouragement. All I can say about starting animal heads is to just jump right in. Next time your at the forge grab a random scrap piece and play with your tools to see what marks you like. Hole punches make nice crisp circles, ball punches make smooth indents, slitters or hot cuts make crisp lines while Fuller's make smooth lines. Don't be afraid to use a tool for something it wasn't initially made for. The eye punch I made looks suspiciously like a hammer drift made by others on the site, so on my next handled tool I'm going to try it out as a drift. It may work, it may not, but I've learned that you can't be afraid of failure if you want to succeed. I learn more from things not going how I want them to than I do from getting it right the first time. I get more satisfaction from doing it right the first time, but I can't get it right until I've gotten it wrong a few times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 Uh Joe: Owl scrolling forks might be handy but be sure to wear thick gloves and eye protection when you try scrolling an owl it's likely to make a fuss. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 Frosty, you crack me up! That is the funniest thing I've read in awhile. Gave me a great mental picture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoshinjoe Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 Hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shabumi Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 Haha, good one Frosty. Joe, remember to keep a nice even heat when scrolling owls, and keep an eye on them in the fire so they don't burn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 9, 2020 Share Posted March 9, 2020 Things do seem to get weird in the Great White North after a winter of cabin fever! Question doesn't scrolling owls tend to upset them or do you draw them out first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoshinjoe Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 Finally had a go at an owl bottle opener, I got clawed to pieces but it was worth the effort Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.