Celtic ~ Viking Wand

Cool carving, very well done!

-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.

Very cool wand super carving too

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

neat
welcome to lumberjocks

-- keeping myself entertained

Awesome job

-- With more power you can make toothpicks faster

Very nice carving and nice looking. What are these wands used for?

-- Mike, American in Norway

That’s wonderful, what kind of tools do you use and how hard was it working with white oak for that type of detail?

-- http://www.jordanstraker.com

Well… wands for myself tend to be mostly about the shape and form, the universality of “wands” in cultures all over the earth and from every era… bring a wealth of cultural and technical exploration. For the Wiccan Community (modern witches) they use them as tools in their religious practices. For a young witches wiccaning they usually get a really great wand for their personal altars or sanctuary. I have custom made quite a few where price has not been an issue.. in some ways like getting a beautiful crucifix for special moments and events.

But for the carving of it. I prefer to go to the local ACE when they have the “cheaper quality” toolsl on sale for sometimes $1 each.. lol.. and I get a set of those small flat head screwdrivers in a cheap plastic case.. I think most of us have seem them. Well I use sand paper and diamond stones to sharpen them into all shapes and sizes. If i ruin one I am out maybe $.25.
~ I draw on the wood all the time to reminds me of changes in depth for the design work
~ I begin each area by scribing deeply with a exacto-blade… working from the corner to the center. the small curved bladees so I can run on a tiny radius.
~ Then I use the screw driver chisels cut into the wood, shape the design sides and edges, and to remove the waste..
~ smoothing the bottom with a chisel when I have to sharpen it again

White oak is great for larger carvings, but I think only “okay” for small carving. the latewood grain holds well, but the early wood grain is really fragile.
~ Best tip.. always keep a tube of gel super-glue on hand.
~ Second best… really try to understand wood grain.

I tend to talk to wood like it is alive.. like it’g grain is it’s voice. I ask it where it is going.. tell it that it is crazy… maybe I’m crazy, but most of us do it when we are angry anyway… I get Tourette’s Syndrome cursing at a piece of wood or tool from time to time.

-- ~ Eric P Jorgenson: Jorgenson Design

That is a great approach you have. I always say that when it comes to carving, it is the wood that sets the rules not the carver. I loved your idea about the screw driver carving tools too. Thanks for the explanation about the wands.

-- Mike, American in Norway

Great wand, I’m always a sucker for knotwork. Thanks for the explanation also.

-- Karen - a little bit of stupid goes a long way

WOW~ That is incredible!! Nicely Done!!!

-- Greg H.-Chaseburg, WI. www.greghaugenwoodturning.com

Very nicely done, and just goes to show you don’t have to have the high price tools to do high price work.

-- F.Little

fantastic wand and workmanship. Thanks for that added carving advice. Such a beautiful, and storied piece. Truly inspired!

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Van Gogh -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

Great craftsmanship and lovely carving. With your skill have you ever tried good carving knives ?

-- Tom D

Carving looks great!!

Robin Renee’

AKA…..........Woodchic

-- Robin Renee'

Very, very, very cool!!!!! I ove celtic inspired work. I’m going to have to get my girlfriend to give one of these a shot, she’s the carver in our relationship.

-- Cheers and God Bless