Robin's Jade Carving update 4/3 actually got one done! - Tiki Carving

P Paipo Member Aotearoa / NZ Joined: Jun 22, 2006 Posts: 1886	P Paipo Posted posted on Fri, Feb 8, 2008 1:55 PM Great save on the notched warclub....if we hadn't seen the pics it would be very easy to believe that the lashed handle was intentional all along! It makes good sense from a functional viewpoint (if your hands are 1" long!) and looks very pleasing too. On 2008-02-02 17:59, Robin wrote: Here are some progress shots on the tiny face. More tiny fractures in this stone that I didn't notice...it's like they're buried in the stone. As I tried to work them small bits flew off the lips and nose that I had to then go back and fix. There's another one still on the lip that I'm having to be very careful with. You're right - they are buried in the stone. As you cut into the jade it releases structural tension and pieces want to come adrift. Just one of the many foibles of the "Stone of Heaven" that we learn to work with. It's very hard to avoid this with some stones, but using fresh tools and trying a gentler edge can help. By this I mean there are a few different tools you can use for the same job...disc/lens shaped cutters, inverted cones, flats and balls. You could use any one of these to carve a tiki face into a stone, but the first couple mentioned are more likely to cause collateral damage.... Something I noticed with this picture (although not a huge issue because this stone is fairly clean) is your grain runs at about a 45 degree angle through the design. Whenever possible, for anything long and thin you need the grain running lengthwise with the design. I think the angle was the same on the one that broke? Also, by drilling your hole transversely you have taken a bit of stone out of the handle where it is needed most. I nearly always drill my jade pendants through from front to back (in this case I'd go through the "pommel"), or use the "hidden" bullnose in the back of the piece where space allows. Again, I'm not saying what you've done is wrong - it also comes down to a balance between aesthetics and durability...but these are things that can be make-or-break on certain stones. It's all about minimising risk! Anyway, on with the show - I'm really enjoying these pieces. We seem to have lost momentum with the TC stoner movement, so it's up to you to carry the torch now! PS Have you got the "Maori Weapons" book?

Great save on the notched warclub....if we hadn't seen the pics it would be very easy to believe that the lashed handle was intentional all along! It makes good sense from a functional viewpoint (if your hands are 1" long!) and looks very pleasing too.

On 2008-02-02 17:59, Robin wrote:

Here are some progress shots on the tiny face. More tiny fractures in this stone that I didn't notice...it's like they're buried in the stone. As I tried to work them small bits flew off the lips and nose that I had to then go back and fix. There's another one still on the lip that I'm having to be very careful with.

You're right - they are buried in the stone. As you cut into the jade it releases structural tension and pieces want to come adrift. Just one of the many foibles of the "Stone of Heaven" that we learn to work with. It's very hard to avoid this with some stones, but using fresh tools and trying a gentler edge can help. By this I mean there are a few different tools you can use for the same job...disc/lens shaped cutters, inverted cones, flats and balls. You could use any one of these to carve a tiki face into a stone, but the first couple mentioned are more likely to cause collateral damage....

Something I noticed with this picture (although not a huge issue because this stone is fairly clean) is your grain runs at about a 45 degree angle through the design. Whenever possible, for anything long and thin you need the grain running lengthwise with the design. I think the angle was the same on the one that broke? Also, by drilling your hole transversely you have taken a bit of stone out of the handle where it is needed most. I nearly always drill my jade pendants through from front to back (in this case I'd go through the "pommel"), or use the "hidden" bullnose in the back of the piece where space allows. Again, I'm not saying what you've done is wrong - it also comes down to a balance between aesthetics and durability...but these are things that can be make-or-break on certain stones. It's all about minimising risk!

Anyway, on with the show - I'm really enjoying these pieces. We seem to have lost momentum with the TC stoner movement, so it's up to you to carry the torch now!

PS Have you got the "Maori Weapons" book?

Post #360090 by Paipo on Fri, Feb 8, 2008 1:55 PM