Post #394113 by AlohaStation on Tue, Jul 15, 2008 11:01 AM

Cheeky, Great tiki for #2. Sorry - I have to vent here for just a moment and your tiki is a perfect example. I have noticed that most novice carvers have the same technique. I am guilty myself - so I'm not picking on any one person.

When you first pick up the chisels and start choppin you have no idea how tools are designed or how they perform, so we just start hacking away at the vision in our heads. The vision is usually something scribbled on paper that has a very defined design. We then start by outlining and start cutting "straight" into the wood creating what I call a "U" cut. U-cuts are when vertical cuts are made and the negative space is removed to reveal a flat surface. Consists of 3 edges. This is a very difficult cut. Its not the vertical cuts, but the removal of the negative space. To get a consistent depth and smooth surface is almost impossible for a novice. Marquesan tikis often have this type of cut.

I have found that creating "V" cuts is the solution. Simply find you edge and cut at more of an angle till the 2 edges meet. The angles of the "V" do not have to be even but they also do not have to be flattened or smoothed. They also allow you to cut deeper and produce a more natural look. Look at alot of tikis and you will see the cuts very rarely have more than 2 simple angles. The simple angles also allow for easier sanding - thats the biggest bonus!!

Again I'm NOT trying to pick on anyone just passing a little knowledge. Good luck on the next one.