chip carving on leather

[rickeyfro]

Totally agree Mike, we're ALL entitled to our opinion

by starting the thread Roo was inviting comment, Slick made his comments and is entitled to his opinion. His comments didn't seem to be a personal attack on Roo to me, abrupt maybe but he wasn't getting at her, I haven't read any of his other posts, so I don't know if there is a back story, and I don't know if his comments will deter other people from posting, but some of the responses are rude to the point of bullying. in a flame war everybody loses. I would like to think that I could give an honest opinion without facing the sort of attack that he has been subjected to.

cheers

Mike

[CitizenKate]

I've done some playing with the linoleum gouges that are used for block printing (like these: http://www.dickblick.com/products/speedball-linoleum-cutters/), and gotten some interesting results. I think this is what Vera Goldberg was telling us a long while back what she used to create some of her stunning leather art. Although I'm sure she uses much nicer quality ones.

Kate

[MikeCahill]

I have a picture of races like those you are talking about, Mike - see below: I use mine to cut stitching grooves. I find they work well on thicker leather but tend to drag on thin stuff. I'd like to find a really good American style groover but don't know where to start looking. Anyone got any ideas? Ray

Mine is like the one on the right, double headed, one narrow groove, one slightly wider, I wouldn't use it on leather less than 2mm thick, it would weaken the leather too much, to work well it has to be fearsome sharp, or it drags the leather and makes a ragged cut. the cut can be improved by waxing the leather, and putting it in the fridge for a few minutes. I also have a groover with a ring end like slicks, the working end is replaceable because they wear out, that gives a very fine groove and I use that for detail, although I have found that bold designs work best and I don't have much of an artistic flair.

cheers

Mike

[cem]

If anyone else is interested in this sort of carving method you might want to check out this artist http://www.karaginther.com/

Cheers,

Clair

[UKRay]

Are you using your race freehand, Mike? I find it very hard to cut precisely where I want the groove and have to use a straight edge to run the tool along to get a neat line - going round corners, let alone doing a Celtic design - is a very slow careful business. Kara Ginther's stuff is excellent, Claire. I hadn't seen any before and was thoroughly impressed. Painstaking work and incredibly neat. Even if you are not interested in chip carving take a look at www.karaginther.com as it is well worth the effort. Ray

[MikeCahill]

Are you using your race freehand, Mike? I find it very hard to cut precisely where I want the groove and have to use a straight edge to run the tool along to get a neat line - going round corners, let alone doing a Celtic design - is a very slow careful business. Kara Ginther's stuff is excellent, Claire. I hadn't seen any before and was thoroughly impressed. Painstaking work and incredibly neat. Even if you are not interested in chip carving take a look at www.karaginther.com as it is well worth the effort. Ray

usually I trace the design into dampened leather surface, so that it leaves the faintest of impressions, then holding the race like a pen I cut freehand rotating the leather so that I am always pulling towards myself, I try and plan short cuts so I can use the heel of my hand for support. the particular design I posted, I pricked the leather at the intersections of the lines, and traced a couple of arc's on some thin scrap ply, cut them out, polished up the arc's with a bit of parafin wax and use the race pressed against them. I do the carving before any sewing so if I make a mess of it it's just one piece of leather scrapped.