Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014 Commemorative Gouge

I thought I would close out the year with a real bang.  Recently I have been making a lot of custom folding knives with really fine detail work and tight precision.  I thought I would give my carving friends something truly unique that would test my skills as a maker as well as produce a piece of functional art.  This is what I came up with.

 
 



The gouge is a 3/16" #7 with a fluted blade which is highly polished.  The ferrule is fluted copper, also highly polished to keep with the shiny theme.  The handle material is maple burl that has been dyed red and black and professionally stabilized.  The inlayed shield is nickel silver and has the size of the gouge, the year and my initials hand engraved into the bright surface.  I wish the photos could do this tool justice.  I really need to work on my photography skills.  A little over-the-top?  Well, maybe.  But I sure like it and really enjoyed making it.

I have made this piece available for purchase on my "Available Tools" page if you are interested in owning it.  Thanks for taking a look and I would love to hear any comments.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Sale Ends Soon - July 5

I know I haven't posted anything new in a long while.  Late spring and early summer seem to be the time that things need to get done around the house and yard and I've had my fair share of chores and projects to complete.  My carving has practically come to a screeching halt for the past few months.  Not to mention that I've been spending more and more time on my new hobby of making custom folding knives and less and less time making chips.  I did, however, manage to finish up the bust of a caricature that I call "The Scoundrel."  When I get a spare moment, I'll take some pics and post them for all to see.  I also finished up the head of a gunslinger that still needs a place to rest his disembodied noggin.  I'll try to get in some progress pics of him as well.

I want to thank everyone for your recent tool orders, and for those who have taken the time to send me photos of your woodcarving art.  What a thrill it is for me to see what my meager tools in the hands of you, the skilled artist, can accomplish.  It has also been fun working with you in your decision making process and a pleasure to craft your custom tools.  I have enjoyed putting on this extended sale, but like all good things, it too must come to an end.  I've set the final day of the sale for July 5, so, while you're enjoying the Independence Day weekend, make sure you get your orders in too while you can still take advantage of the low prices.  I'm only an email away at theoldstump@live.com if you should have any questions about my tools, need help making you tool selection, or help placing your order.

Thanks again, everyone!  Keep making chips and happy carving to all.

Brandant

Friday, April 18, 2014

Now Accepting Custom Tool Orders



Thank you, my friends, for all of your patience with my taking some time off from tool making.  I can’t say that it has been a restful sabbatical, but it definitely was a productive one.  It was a long hall, but I’m glad to be back doing what I truly love doing, making tools.  After all is said and done, I’m ready to start making sparks and happy woodcarvers again.

In commemoration of my return to the shop, and just in time for tax return season (wink, wink), I have decided to have a celebratory sale on all of my woodcarving tools.  All of my custom tools have been reduced by $2.00 to $5.00 each, so now is the time to place an order.  Click the “Custom Knives” or “Custom Palm Tools” tabs above which will take you to the respective page.  The process for placing a custom order is pretty clear and simple, but I’m always available via email at theoldstump@live.com if you have any questions.

You may also see the “Available Tools” tab above.  Periodically I get an itch to make some tools, but I don’t have any orders to fill at the time.  Well, I’m not going to let a little thing like that stop me from doing what I enjoy.  Thus, the Available Tools page is where I make available these completed tools that are looking for a new home.  Right now, since I need a little cash to buy more tool-making materials, I have cut the cost on all these tools by $8.00.  Take a look and see if one of these gems would fit well into your toolbox.

Again, thank you, my friends!  It’s great to be back making tools and carving once again.  I’m currently working on a cowpoke caricature that I think you will all enjoy.  I’ll post some pics real soon.

Happy carving to you all,

Brandant

Saturday, February 15, 2014

No Custom Orders for Now

Greetings my woodcarving friends!

This is just a quick note to let you know that I appreciate your interest in following along with me on my carving adventures and I hope you are all enjoying your own adventures in the world of woodcarving.  I hope you find the information here useful.

As most of you probably know, I am not a professional woodcarver or tool maker.  Even though I am passionate about both, they are only my hobbies, not my vocation.  But, they do give me something enjoyable to do on the weekends. 

I need to let everyone know that for the next couple of months, I will be preparing for a professional licensing examination that is going to take up the majority of my free time.  Unfortunately, I will not have much time to spend out in my workshop and, consequently, I will not be taking any new custom knife or palm tool orders for the time being.  I anticipate restoring my custom tools pages upon completion of my examination and hope you will not be too disappointed in having to wait for a few weeks to place your orders.  Everything should be back up by mid April and I look forward to working with you to meet your carving needs.

Thanks again for your interest in The Old Stump, and wish me luck on the test!

Brandant

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Happy New Year

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year and thank you all for your interest in The Old Stump Blog.  I greatly appreciate those who have purchased knives, palm tools, and carvings from me over the past year and I hope that each item has exceeded your expectations.  I also hope that everyone has enjoyed the tutorials and following along with me on my carving adventures.

I haven't had much time at all to carve over the past several months.  Sometimes life takes a turn and interests change.  I have recently started making high-end custom knives which are way above and beyond my simple carving knives.  It has been a real challenge learning the techniques and acquiring all the tools required for fine knife making.  Here are some samples of my work so far.



 








Each one of these knives is hand made by myself alone from my own custom designs.  The folding knives are particularly challenging, and finessing the folding and lock mechanisms just right is very rewarding.  Here's a link to my photo album for several more views of each of these knives:

Custom Folders and Fixed Blades

If anyone would be interested in a handmade custom folder or fixed blade knife, just drop me an email.  I'd be happy to entertain any serious inquiries.

Again, a very Happy New Year and may 2014 be the best year for you yet!