Three Carved Projects - Whittln' Jack

  I don't claim to be a serious wood carver, but I like working with and making things from wood.  I have a drawer filled with pocket knives and a tool box filled with carving chisels and knives that I have gathered up over the years.  Carving to me is like wood turning, another of the things that I do with wood, for fun and relaxation.

  I have a full supply of really good wood working and 'everyday carry' knives but recently an opportunity arose for me to borrow and try out a Flex Cut Whittlin' Jack.  I have seen them for sale and wondered.

  This is a two bladed folding knife designed for whittling or rough carving.  I am not sponsored by Flex Cut so this is my opinion  based on my experience only.

  First off, the knife came out of its package sharp. I stropped the blade a couple of times while working as much from habit as necessity. The blades are more sturdy than a typical two blade pocket knife and so do not flex or threaten to break if you wedge and twist while working.

  I used a piece of walnut and made a loose tea scoop, a small mixing spoon and a spreading knife to try out the tool. The Whittlin' Jack was a perfectly good tool to smooth out and shape the projects after I cut out the rough shape on the band saw.  These projects were quick, easy and didn't require much sanding.

loose tea scoop, mixing spoon and spreading knife.

  

    The Whittln' Jack enabled me to do relativity fine work, I didn't need any other knife or chisel to shape these projects.*  More patience and practice would enable me to refine my work.

  Conclusion:

  If I wanted/needed a easily portable, easy to maintain, One Knife to Rule Them All I would consider a Whittln' Jack. I did find the handle a bit large for my hand and that would take some getting used to I think but my hands are smaller than average and getting arthritic. 

  It is a tool with which to start or travel, I think.

cheers Ianw 

* I did use a dremel to shape the bowl of the spoon.   

 

January Project - storage cart

   Before I get to the storage cart I want to share a new cutting board.  Before I get to the cutting board,  I want to share the top  of our kitchen island.  I wanted to take the photo of my latest cutting board on the island, first I have to move a bunch of  things. The top of the island is Brazilian marble, the base of the island is one of my shop projects. I built the wheeled bottom of this island so long ago I can't find the related blog posts. 

  Everything that lives on top of the island is from our creative minds.  Eva made a set of three stained glass candle holders and the various wood things are from my shop, over the years. 

  There is nothing special about this cutting/serving board other than it is walnut and maple.  I'd never worked with walnut, now I understand why it is so popular.  I also cut out four spreading knives from poplar wood. Things like spreading knives can be churned out easily using the band saw and a drum sander. 

  I was asked by my brother to make a storage rack for the basement.  I like it when there is a need for my wood work. He has an area in the basement that is filled with beverage cases and recycle bins that needed a more efficient system. I made the rack and put casters on one end so that it can be manoeuvred around easily.

 

It is difficult to see but I notched the legs into the shelve frame making it more sturdy and taking up less space.

  The interesting aspect of this project for me is that it was made almost entirely from left over materials. The shelf frame is made from the laminated elm boards that I first made for the wheel barrow repair.  I had planed and glued the board together before I decided to go a different direction with the repair and then didn't need them.  I did keep these boards on  my lumber rack, You can never tell when you will need 5 foot 3 x 3's.  It was simple to rip the boards to size on my table saw.  I have only ever had a job site saw in my shop and it has served me well for the last 20 years. hint: good, sharp blades make all the difference.

The uprights are from a long ago failed set of production items.  My Grandson was little in the video and now he is big, so that tells you how long the up rights have sat in my shop.    Again cutting them to size was a breeze on the table saw.  I know that plunge cut circular saws have their  fans, but I like what I know, I guess. 

  Other than gobbling up a bunch of 1 1/2 inch wood screws and some glue the project used two casters from a parts bin. For a couple of seasons I brought home wheeled office chairs that were being discarded and salvaged the casters. I am at the point that I no longer gather up materials without a plan, mostly because now have lots of materials, not so many plans.

  As we are evermore encouraged to stay home I am looking for things to do. I bet you are too.

cheers, ianw

dance, even if your feel are cold!

Four Slabs of Walnut

  The latest trip to Brant Custom Woods yielded four large slabs of walnut, seen in this photo.  I have never used walnut before, because I am cheap and it is not, and I can get lots of other cool wood to play with for the same dollar.  However, I got a great price on these pieces since they have limited application. Each piece has a serious knot or check in it and so it is no good for anything big.  These slabs will get sliced up for cutting boards and small boxes, one of these days.

  I have the luxury of more good material then time just now.  I'll keep you posted. 

 Latest cutting board, oak and roasted maple  18x11ish