Decoy Carving

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Eric Beaumont

Member
I would like to start decoy carving. Can anyone direct me to web store or provide me an author of a book that would show me how start this hobby?
 
For free ones, check out our "sister site" - the mighty layout boys.

http://www.mightylayoutboys.com/domino/mlb/MLB_home.nsf

Dig around in the resources section.

Also, there was a rumor that Grayson Chesser's book about decoy making (TMaking Decoys the Century Old Way or somehtign like that) was going to be repronted. It is hard to find used and when you do it is usually expensive.

You can also buy pattern books.

And I was serious, there are some world class carvers here, stick around, you'll learn a lot.

Charlie
 
Eric,

I am not one of those world class carvers that Charlie is talking about, I've been carving almost a year now. Willy can hook you up with all the materials you need. Also, his and the MLB site have some great tutorials that show it step by step. Post up here any questions and always include pictures. Everyone likes pictures.

Paul Rutgers posted an add in the clasifieds with some precut blanks that would be great if you don't have a bandsaw (or you have one but it is too small). All you would need to get started with those is a rasp and a knife. I started low budget, trying to get by with the tools I already had. I would recomend the same, get started small and make sure you like it before you blow a bunch of money.

Chuck
 
Hi Eric,

Jelinek Cork in Oakville ON has cork sheets if thats what you plan on using for the bodies. I've always used their products and have been pretty happy with it, plus you can pick it up in person and avoid shipping costs if you're ordering any quantity. There's a wood carving store in Kitchner ON (Chipping Away) that sells carving tools and ref books, not in the same league as a place like The Duck Blind, but it does have some stuff. Lee Valley Tools is also a good source for tools.

The Quinte Woodcarvers put on a decoys show each spring and there are a few merchants with carving products, some top notch decoative carvers there as well showing there stuff.

Hope this helps,

Gary
 
Like an idiot I didn't notice you are in Canada, I'm sure the suppliers over there mentioned can help you out without the border/customs and taxes.

Most of all, remember to have fun.

Chuck
 
There are a lot of resources but Willy would be a one of the top ones. I would also recommend that you go to a decoy show and talk to folks, listen and get in touch with some local carvers. Where do you live? HHG
 
Thanks - Looks like a great site.

Where can I find the patterns of different birds? He didn't seem to have any on his website.
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Sugar PineWoodcarving Supplies has patterns...1-800-452-2783. Anything and everything you will need.
 
Hello Eric,

First you have a french name , do you speake it ... ?? if yes it will easyer for me ...

I find you are in Ontario , lot of good carvers there ... , let me know if you want good instructor

First what type of decoy do you want to made, hunting or decoratives , the pattern is the same but in decorative it a little bit to much detail easy to remouve . The best patern book as you can find on the market is come form a Ontario man, Pat Godin from Godinart.com , but you will probably less if you buy it from the USA border, $USD less that $CND now ...

Willy is a good place to buy too, but another for me my best is one in MAine http://www.mdiwoodcarvers.com/ and in Louisiana ( Curts waterfolw corner ) depending as you want decorative or hunting style

you can go to my web page to , i have a little part in carving lesson : www.bougie.rocler.com

Dont affraid to buy in USA, it easy and not much $$ now

Stef
 
HI Steph,

LOL..Yes I am French. Family is all from Quebec and MTL.

I am interested in carving hunting decoys. I'm not sure where this attempt in a new hobby is going to take me but I'm going to give it a try. It might be a failure as I have zero artistic talent in me but at least I will have tried it.

With all the great advice so far I'm putting together a list for the wife so that she can order some of the books/resources for christmas.

No issues here buying in the states. In fact being 30 min away from Odensburgh, NY, I do it all the time.:)
 
Eric, i m better in French but i continue in English for the other friends too , all know my english here hehehehehe , we continue in french when i will have to much trouble in english

Forget all supplier in Ontario , espesally LEEVALLEE , very to much expendive ...

the only way in Canada, it http://www.razertip.com/ from the SK, it dont have all but all you need .... you can buy on-line and it a secure place

The best book for the pattern as you can find it from PAt Godin, from Godinart.com, he have 3 books for decorative decoy , easily made hunting decoy, and a new one for hunting decoy ( a little bit $$ ). But it not a book for you learn to carve .. it only a pattern book with the best duck shave available

We begin to carve with one book 25 years ago , it the Bruce Buck , game bird carving, edited in 72, for sure it not up to date, last time i buy on the net 20 book, bran new at 3$ each ... in Amazon.com ( sorry i resale all ) .

I dont made many hunting decoy, and without the godin book, i dont used nothing anymore ... the best way for me it the nature and life bird.

Hey i take a look at Osgoode, Ontario , you are arround At 2 hours to me, i in Valleyfield.

The only thing you need to begin this hobby it your 2 hands and a knife ( mine it a scalpel with blade at 4$ + 10-20$ for 100 balde ) . and a ceder block ( for the hunting style , easy to find )

Good luck

Stef
 
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Eric, i m better in French but i continue in English for the other friends too , all know my english here hehehehehe , we continue in french when i will have to much trouble in english

Forget all supplier in Ontario , espesally LEEVALLEE , very to much expendive ...

the only way in Canada, it http://www.razertip.com/ from the SK, it dont have all but all you need .... you can buy on-line and it a secure place

The best book for the pattern as you can find it from PAt Godin, from Godinart.com, he have 3 books for decorative decoy , easily made hunting decoy, and a new one for hunting decoy ( a little bit $$ ). But it not a book for you learn to carve .. it only a pattern book with the best duck shave available

We begin to carve with one book 25 years ago , it the Bruce Buck , game bird carving, edited in 72, for sure it not up to date, last time i buy on the net 20 book, bran new at 3$ each ... in Amazon.com ( sorry i resale all ) .

I dont made many hunting decoy, and without the godin book, i dont used nothing anymore ... the best way for me it the nature and life bird.

Hey i take a look at Osgoode, Ontario , you are arround At 2 hours to me, i in Valleyfield.

The only thing you need to begin this hobby it your 2 hands and a knife ( mine it a scalpel with blade at 4$ + 10-20$ for 100 balde ) . and a ceder block ( for the hunting style , easy to find )

Good luck Stef

 And a Band-aid................ Sorry I had to chime in... The 1st thing I did with my NEW carving knife was cut myself.... I had never ever put a blade to wood other then a stick... I got my knife and took in to Ken's.. I get the knife out of the package and hand it to Ken, he looks over my new knife with approval... He strops it a few times and hands it back... Ken start to show me what to do and I feel this burn on my finger.. I look down and I am leaking...I try to hide it.. Thinking it will stop in a few seconds.. Ken never take his eyes off the head of the decoy and asks "Did You Cut yourself"?? " The Band-aids are in the cabinet".... John
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John

for sure i forget that ... but it true ... hehehehe ,

Remember never apply force on a knife ... you need to cut like a onion layer ( feuille d ognion ) ..
 
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