Modeling tool

[BobB]

The use of the modeling tools is mentioned now and then in articles. Are there any instruction sheets or books taht describe treir use? Also, since so little is said about modeling tools, it seems they are used but little. I have a hunch this isn't so, and pros spend lots of time with modeling tools and magnifying glasses...true/false?

[TomSwede]

I was just answering a question in another thread about a certain bracer with a scene depicting the devil throwing people into hell. It was done with swivelknife and modelling tool only so check that out and maybe it will help you a bit. It would have looked a lot flatter without the modelling tool and too much relief if I had tooled it like I usually do. I wanted wood carving feel to it.

Also, without using the modelling tool it would have looke a lot ruffer with the massive amount of carving I put into it.

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...pic=4141&hl=

Tom

[ClayB]

Hi Bob,

I think you're right about the modeling tool. The modeling tool is probably my most used tool. It can be used for so many different things, from cleaning up beveling, to doing actual beveling. I use it to add details, shaping, certain textures, and so much more.

My favorite modeling tool is one that Peter Main makes and sells. When I got mine from him, he sent along a piece of leather showing me some of what he can do with a modeling tool. Here are some pictures from that scrap of leather.

[Nomad]

Clay, thanks for sharing.

I use Tandy. It strongly differs?

You have a photo of the tool of Peter Main? I would like to buy, where?

Thanks.

[ClayB]

Hi Nomad,

Here are some pictures of Peter Main's modeling tool. You can either PM Peter through the forum, or you can email him. Peter's tool has a little different shape than the Tandy tool and everyone that I know that has one really likes it.

[ClayB]

I was working on some floral carving today and decided to show a little of what I use a modeling tool to do. Mainly it's cleaning up my tooling, and shaping the leaves and petals on a carving.

Here is a picture of my carving beveled and with some rough pear shading.

Here's a close up of what a petal looks like at this point.

And here is the same petal after blending out the pear shading with a modeling tool.

This part doesn't have anything to do with the modeling tool, but using an undercutter or pro petal really brings the petal out some more.

I go over almost every line in my carvings with the modeling tool to round over the beveled edges. It softens the lines and makes things look more rounded and natural.

This picture shows the rest of the flower petal after the pear shading has been blended out with the modeling tool.

Using the modeling tool like this adds quite a bit of time to the carving process, but to me, the results are worth it.

Now if I could just figure out a way to use the modeling tool to make my decorative cuts look like Bob's.

[BobB]

thanks much..very helpful, esp. the photos and notes....bob