Handle Experiements Follow Up - Carving a Celtic Knot

[Thorin]

This is a follow up to some of the question raised in the "Handle Experiments" thread - I recall pictures were asked for. For those more experienced in wood working please throw in your advice and constructive criticisms for the rest of us to learn from. I've kept the text to a minimum, as it follows on our discussions from the original "Handle experiments" thread.

1) Rough mark out your shape on Blank - Note how it doesn't quite work to plan.


2) Draw on your rough design


3) Score out the design (For your engraving tool to follow)


4) Start creating negative space (ie: "cut away everything that doesn't look like a bear")


5) Carve out the knot overlaps


6) Start sanding down the entire rest of the surface.


7) Neaten your knot - This is the make or break part, it may take longer than every other step to get it just right, so don't rush it. Here you want to bevel the edges, smooth out the overlap areas and make sure the band stays roughly the same diameter throughout the knot.


8) Finished knot - now you can finsih and neaten up the rest of the handle's proportions.

[Spc. Scott]

That is turning out very nicely! Well done.

[beloitpiper]

Nice! It's amazing how you can go from having it look so rough to making it so polished at the end.

[The Barry]

Wow, I thought that it was going to look, well, not so great until the last slide!

That turned out very nice, well done!

[David Thornton]

I don't have the eye, or the patience, but I enjoy seeing someone else who does.
Very nice

David

[Nighthawk]

I'm getting started on mine. I got the oak for it this weekend. That is very helpful- thank you!

[Thorin]

Yup - that's why I think the photo's may help. If I had never done this before I may well have stopped and given up at around step 3, 4 or 5, when it looks truly awful. You just need to "embrace the ugliness" until the final sanding and neatening up phase.

Let us know how your project turn out Nighthawk.

[wyldathart]

I have a thought that might make things easier. If anyone has a wood lathe, you can turn the handle to the desired profile. Leave the handle with extra material on so that you can make your carvings. Sand down one side flat so it will rest against your leg comfortably. I don't have a lathe or I would try it myself.

[Nighthawk]

Yup - that's why I think the photo's may help. If I had never done this before I may well have stopped and given up at around step 3, 4 or 5, when it looks truly awful. You just need to "embrace the ugliness" until the final sanding and neatening up phase.

Let us know how your project turn out Nighthawk.

I will do that. My chunk of peach wood is on it's way here this afternoon, my hatchet is sharp, and I have my decorative design in mind. I'll be starting soon!