What's on your Work Bench ? FEBRUARY 2018

Steve Sanford

Well-known member
Good morning, All~

A "dog's breakfast" of jobs on my bench. But, Susan and I are headed to Germany later today - to meet my first grandchild - so production will cease for a couple of weeks.

This was a simple repair - on a nice, life-size Brook Trout carved by a local - Frank Root. He passed away last year. I never met Frank. The carving belongs to a friend.

View attachment Frank Root Brook Trout 01.JPG


The detail is excellent throughout. This fish is mounted on a submerged log/branch - lurking. (Wish I took a photo of the full display.)

View attachment Frank Root Brook Trout 02.JPG

My job was to re-install a fin - and then touch up the surrounding paint and varnish.

View attachment Frank Root Brook Trout 03.JPG


I made this burned (Wiley) cork bird in the 80s for my saltwater rig. I re-burned the rig a year or so ago. I was dismayed to find an errant pellet in his cheek. So, the shrapnel was excised, wound was filled, and the paint was freshened.

View attachment Cork SJS Black Duck 04.JPG

I did not originally varnish bills on my gunners - but have adopted the practice in recent years.

View attachment Cork SJS Black Duck 06.JPG

This "Grey-lag" is for my grandson. He already has a BWT - and will likely get many more over the years.

View attachment Gans 02.JPG

Next one will probably be a Tufted Duck - or a Barnacle Goose. My son-in-law is from Sweden - and Barnacles are park birds there.


All the best,

SJS


 
The blackduck resembles an Al McCormick humpback tucked head. A nice representation of a contented snuggled duck. You captured a pose that must bring them in.
 
Patrick,

Has the look of a hooded merganser, and could probably be finished up to represent that species.

Look around the net for some pics of hoodie drakes and try to sketch yourself the pattern of what you have already roughed out. Define the lines where the bill meets the head with a knife & some sandpaper, sand your bill smooth, and thin the back of the head to taper into the rear of the open crest, and you'll have a decent first head. Don't take any more stock off the eye channel, as it's pretty thin already.


Top & side view of mergie bill below.


View attachment Hoodie2 (569 x 600).jpg
 
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Pretty good save, Patrick. Rear of bill where it joins the head is a bit too high, but you "done good."

If you feel like doing more, try to taper the rear of the head by feathering it down to the center line in the rear to better suggest the crest of a hoodie..



View attachment image (1).jpg

Let the taper be gradual from the center of the cheek.
On your next head, eliminate the groove running all the way at the bottom. A duck's head doesn't sit on a defined "neck" like ours does. There will be a slight curve at the front, but for the most part it disappears as you go back, and the head/neck transition drops almost straight from that center point on the "cheek." Even a duck with it's neck stretched high displays an an hour-glass curve. when viewed head on.

Here is a picture showing what I mean:




View attachment IMGP8269.JPG
 
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That little topknot poses the problem. Also still fat in the "cheek."

You obviously have the tool skills to implement what was suggested. Now it's just a matter of layering reliable information about the subjects you tackle to eliminate mistakes as you progress.
continue to make more; collect reference. It will all come together with time.

Take a look at some of Willy McDonald's head carving tutorials on his website for the Duck Blind. http://www.theduckblind.com/cyberclassroom/mallard_head/mallard_head.htm
Those will give you some idea about the shapes of a head from different angles (top/side).
You might check Amazon for a little book called "The LeMaster Method -Waterfowl Identification." Excellent information on waterfowl bill dimensions for most species, and a good starting point re: head carving. "You get the bill; you get the bird" as everything is proportionate to the bill, especially when you find a good photo reference to base a pattern on.
 
Patrick -

You are being given some good advice.


That said ducks do have Fat Jaws, not just Wood Ducks and many very good decoy carvers accentuated that. They also made bills to their liking. Freedom of expression and interpretation.

They are your decoys. Make them to your and the birds liking, and you will do well.

Enjoy the journey.



View attachment wood duck mag cover.jpg
 
Vince
I'm just starting and very happy to be getting great advice from some of you.
I'm trying to soak it all in so I can create a few decoys like the ones I see posted on here.
So many great carvers on this site it's a little intimidating posting up your first attempt at carving a decoy head
 
Good morning, Bob~

Yes - the sight of all that Jersey Cedar stirs the soul! I have begun using it - purchased at Tuckerton - over the past couple of years. My draw knife treats it like butter.

All the best,

SJS

 
Patrick -

We all started from scratch. Some took lessons, had mentors, but many of us began carving on our own, because of our passion for waterfowling and all that goes with it.

You will get all the help and encouragement you wish, here. Lots of good and great carver/makers on board duckboats.

Find your own path and what works for you.

Get plenty of Band-Aids.[;)]
 
Steve Sanford said:
Good morning, Bob~

Yes - the sight of all that Jersey Cedar stirs the soul! I have begun using it - purchased at Tuckerton - over the past couple of years. My draw knife treats it like butter.

All the best,

SJS

Jersey cedar is what I grew up with. I've carved some kiln dried cedar from Maine, but I never liked the odor as much. Tuckerton is the one show I sell at each year, but I usually don't buy carving wood there. After the show I can relax and enjoy the selection process and also have a better idea of what my needs will be.
 
P. McCarthy, just keep in mind: everyone who's decoys you're admiring, had to carve and paint that first bird. If you find it a rewarding experience, then you make the second, and then the third...
 
Patrick, when you get a good specimen, pose and freeze, so you can refer to it frequently, whenther for bill information or shape of the head/crown.
Granted, decoys often have certain regional affectations, BUT that does not mean you have to choose that direction. Takes a bunch of mucking about before you find out what makes you happy, even better, what makes the ducks come visit! Stay busy.[;)]
 
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