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F O L I A G E :    Co P V I N G A N^T A T URAL L F. A F I N W O O D

Fig 5.3 Cutting along the outline with a deep gouge or a V tooi The chisel cuts with the grain on the design side.

have gone in relacion to the depth marked around the wood. It is, however, the quickest method.

A decp gouge, c.g. a No. 11, l4mm (^lAin)_t or a similar size of V tool, is chased around the outline carefully so that all cuts are madÄ™ along the grain on the side nearest the design (Fig 5.3). Splitting caused by carving against the grain may lead to drastic losses or crumbled edges on the finished piece.

Gouges which approximately fit against the drawn outline are stabbed down with the mallet about 3mm (‘/fein), away from the drawing, again making surÄ™ that no splits run from the corners of the tool into the leaf (Fig 5.4). It is most unwise to set down right against the outline from the start as you may undercut the design or tear the wood you wish to keep. The remaining waste wood protects the side of the leaf while the ground is carved down. Do not try to stab right to the ground in one go or the chisel may become crapped. Also remember that the chisel edge is a wedge and will crush fibres if squeezed in too far.

The ground is then carvcd from the side with a deep gouge which should be taken at right angles

FlG 5.4 Stabbing down just outside the outline luith a gouge which approximates to the shape. Be careful to preuent splits running from the corner of the chisel into the design.

Fig 5.5 A deep gouge being used to split wood away. NotÄ™ how the gouge used like this remoues three times as much wood for the same effort as one coiwentional cut. These cuts run into the aura of waste left around the design.

to the grain. If the grain slopes it is rhus unlikely to draw the chisel down below ground levcl. Indecd, by putting one corner of the chisel under the surface rwo or three cuts' worth may be split away with every cut, with little or no extra effort (Fig 5.5). If the grain is not parallel with the surface the cuts should be planned so the wood splits

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