Post #143895 by Benzart on Tue, Mar 1, 2005 5:34 AM

You hollow it out all from the slit. I always tried to keep the slit the width equal to 2 chainsaw cuts or roughly 3/4 inch. The original artists also used hot coals and hot stones to burn away the wood. Whatever tools or method you use, it is Very difficult and takes a lot of concentration and control.It has to be done in one piece or the tone and volume would suffer. The Harder the wood the easier it is to control as with soft wood, one slip and you are through the side or bottom and the hard wood a slip is just another little notch. Any way you look at it, it's a very hard job.