Beginning carving--cork or wood?

Jeff Reardon

Jeff Reardon

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Hoping to use some free time this winter to make my first attempt at carving. Ultimately, I'd like to make myself 3-6 each of black duck, mallard, goldeneye, and teal.

To learn the basics, am I better off starting with cork, or wood? Are the necessary tools much different between the two? I'm not starting with a well-equipped wood shop, so will be pretty much starting from scratch on tools.
 
It's been kind of dull the last couple weeks...about time someone kicked the hive...
 
Well, I was going to ask about mojos . . . . . . . . .

Edited to note that Tod and I were posting at the same time, and my reply was directed at Chuck's post, not Tod's.
 
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And by no means was that meant to discourage a good healthy debate of the mediums we love and hate...or even a childish, poo slinging...those are fun too...
 
I'll bite first. Given where you live, there is no question for me - cedar.


I know I can get cedar. Which is easier to carve? My current non-plastic decoys are all cork, and they work just fine. I'd be happy if I could replicate those.

Or how about white pine? I have two nearby sawmills where I am certain I could get pine sawn into decoy-sized slabs.
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I'll bite first. Given where you live, there is no question for me - cedar.


I know I can get cedar. Which is easier to carve? My current non-plastic decoys are all cork, and they work just fine. I'd be happy if I could replicate those.

Or how about white pine? I have two nearby sawmills where I am certain I could get pine sawn into decoy-sized slabs.
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For simple bodies... black cork (or BSC and know here) is probably the fastest to carve (especially with power), tan cork is a little slower and cedar is probably a little slower, but not enough to make any differance, especially for the beginner. Simple wood bodies can be carved very fast with a drawknife/spokeshave in a horse. Difficulty of carving the body is almost a non-issue since you have to carve wood heads anyway.

I really like white pine and have carved a number of decoys out of it, it is great wood if it comes from big trees.

For me the decision to choose cedar or white pine would be because the wood is local and you wouldn't have to deal with a middleman. It is a great feeling to be able to pick up your stock, shake the guy's hand and take it away from trees local to you. Cork comes from Portual in a shipping comtainer, maybe via China, and you have to buy from a middleman.
 
Jeff,
Cedar, not just to agree with Tod. You will get a lot of pleasure out of hunting your own blocks. Your birds will be more meaningful as the years go on and a nice hollow wood bird is a classic.
No problem here with cork and I own a bunch. But if you are in Maine and have the good wood right there go for it.

I would figure out how to hollow them as less weight is nice in the long run when you get a rig.

Hollow pine is fine esp if the rings are tight and small. Hollow white cedar will be lighter still.

Enjoy.

Flame suit ON!


Bob

Bob
 
I can get local wood a lot cheaper than I can mail order cork here in Idaho. It is likely the same where you are at.

I started with black cork. I don't think is really any faster to make a decoy out cork of compared to wood. By the time I put in a tail board, a bottom board. Then the filled the large voids. Then sealed the cork which seems more difficult than sealing wood. I doubt I was saving any time. Tan cork could eliminate some of the extra steps, but it is more expensive.
 
Just to stick my paw in the hive, I will recommend carving foam. They are very light, and self right and ride excellent with just a piece of trex for a keel. When finished properly, they are quite tough as well. I burlap mine with tile mastic (with 2-3 coats), seal with spar and 2 coats of kilz2, and then paint with acrylics. I've hunted a few of mine for 2 seasons with no issues at all. It may take longer, and most people hate burlapping, but I love it! You can find the blue or pink sheets of foam for free quite often. Even if you have to buy it's only $18-$20 for a 4'x8'x2" sheet from home depot or lowes.
 
My 2 cents, I prefer working in wood, but to get started cork is less tool intensive. Stanley Surforms grate cork nicely and are cheap. Pine heads can be carved with a pocket knife, dedicated carving knives are nicer, "sharp" is mandatory. Wood takes more detail than cork allowing a bit more creativity. Unless you have access to a band saw with a riser block, mallard size wood decoys will be challenging. Hatchets and draw-knives work, but what a way to get started. For typical beginners it's tough enough to get the concept of "no flat surfaces" and that it's okay to actually remove material.

With respect to your comment on local pine supply, sap can be a bitch. Hopefully some of the more knowledgeable guys will comment on air Vs kiln drying for carving pine stock.

Scott
 
I'll echo what Andy said and add that with the proper tools carving wood doesn't take much longer than carving cork if at all. Wood is also more durable and like Andy said, a fraction of the price of cork. If you have both cedar and pine available, I would opt for cedar or pine for bodies and pine for heads.

Get a good knife, rasp drawknife and spokeshave, keep them razor sharp and nice wood is an absolute joy to carve.

Welcome to the addiction
 
Jeff, my favorite is cork, but I alwys take my chainsaw when I am up your way so I can tear up some cedar deadfalls. You have plenty of wood around you but it takes less tools to work out cork in my opinion.

dc
 
The only tools I use are a hot wire foam cutter, a rotary rasp, and sandpaper. The foam carves like butter with a dremel and rasp and smooths out with sandpaper very well. You can bust these out quick if you want to. You may not be able to have as much detail as wood, but hey, if they're gunners and you're just starting out, it works great. I have seen some foamers that have a ton of detail and look amazing. You can add wing tips and tail boards and use Apoxie Sculpt to shape the bill and other areas.
 
Jeff,

By far the best option is wood. Cedar or Pine would both be excellent choices.

I'm particularly fascinated by those of us who choose make our birds from locally obtained materials. To me it adds to the authenticity.

Looking at it in the long term your family will get a truly treasured heirloom in the future.
 
I would go with the Cedar. Much cheaper in your area than cork. I am trying my best to get Tupelo since it grows native in my area to where I don't have to deal with the added expense of having cork shipped. Your decoys will also be worth more in wood than in cork.
 
Hoping to use some free time this winter to make my first attempt at carving. Ultimately, I'd like to make myself 3-6 each of black duck, mallard, goldeneye, and teal.

To learn the basics, am I better off starting with cork, or wood? Are the necessary tools much different between the two? I'm not starting with a well-equipped wood shop, so will be pretty much starting from scratch on tools.
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Jeff, I love cedar.......but it doesn't like me. I have to wear a respirator when I carve it. I started out with cork, worked my way to cedar. You say you don't have a wood shop, so I take it you have no band saw or drill press. They are spendy, even if you find a good used one. You may know someone close by who has those tools, use them it you can to start.

So I say, try some tan cork and a piece of cedar for the head. Won't cost too much that way. And you never know, carving may or may not be what you think it is.

Guess it's like the Chevy-Ford, Dem-Rep, Pro-anti, any way you cut it, YOU have to decided what/if you like it.
Small steps first, then if you like it, get into the wood. Cause wood is an entire different ball game than cork.

My .02 cents.
 
Ok Jeff, not to confuse you but there is yet another option. Canvas. I'm new at this carving, having only built sleds & buoy birds, but after hunting over James this fall, I was so impressed with the look of canvas that I am currently working on 6 mallards. No special tools, other than a band saw. A jig saw would also work if you didn't have access to band saw.
 
I like carving cork, it shapes so easily. However it is pricey, so I've only worked with some cork that was given to me.

Wood is nice, I've used white pine quite a bit and like it. I also enjoy using wood that I can get locally from a mill. I'm looking forward to using some cedar that I have drying. I had it milled from some free logs I found. As has been said, the wood bodies require more tools. Getting a bandsaw would probably be the biggest thing. But you may be able to find a used one. I found mine for sale on the side of the road. It's not the best but it's better than using a jig saw, as the jig saw blade tends to flex outwards when cutting curves on 2 inch stock.

Foam shapes easily too, but I'm not a fan of the burlapping process.
 
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Excellent advice, all. I'm not doing anything until the group reaches consensus. lol

If anyone is aware of a beginning decoy class in Maine--or perhaps a weekend class someplace else in New England?--would love the details.
 
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