I want to start making my own decoys?

Don't forget Grayson Chesser's book " Making decoys the century old way" . It is a must have for anyone thinking of getting started in decoys....................
 
I will begin making my first decoy very soon and have begun to build a small collection of books on the subject. Here's what I have gotten so far: Two books by Tom Matus, Decoy Carving for the beginer and Carving antique duck decoys. Decoy carving Workshop projects by Mark Costillo, Waterfowl carving by J. D. Sprankle, Two books by Anthony Hillman, Carving traditional duck decoys the South Jersey way, this is a pattern book and how to paint duck decoys. I have also ordered a few more books on waterfowl reference and will be ordering the book suggested by Jode Hillman. Most of the above books demonstrate in great detail how to carve a decoy from scratch.
 
I started by just jumping in... I bought cork and bass wood and took a simple book out of the library. After 3 months and a lot of cork dust and mess, I tossed it and bought a mold off ebay and got 2 part foam and did it that way. After about 2 dozen I started burlapping them. Thats what I do now. In fact I've got so many foam bodies that I've actually thought about selling the mold, but I'm a pack rat and what if 8 dozen unpainted foam bodies isn't enough??? What would I do then ;)
 
first of all hold off on selling all your plastic decoys until you find out if you like carving or not. then go with the books folkman listed. basswood is decent for carving but white cedar is better and sands better. black cork is cheap but messy tan cork is strong but more expensive. as far as paint acrylic is easy to clean up after and holds up well and oils are good to i suppose just the clean up sucks. guys on here know where to go to get stuff and will direct you in several directions im sure

good luck

eddie
 
nick name.....at the worst its a violation of the one of the most basic rules we have on this site, that being we use real names here, and its only by luck that you got registered using it......check the posts you see here and you'll see only a very tiny number of people with nicknames. Most of those will be people that "got lucky" with their registration and "slipped by"....the others will be long term, as in YEARS, posters who use the nickname part, (like Yukon Mike), to differentiate themselves from the plethora of "other" Mike's....

By changing your user name to a REAL name, (would you really intorduce yourelf to me if we bumped into each other at a boat ramp as "FroggyO"?), you'll not only be "in compliance" but you'll also find that the level of response will be much greater once you do that....

Since I know you'll comply I'll throw in my .02 on "getting started"....books are great to have and privide much good information, (and the ones listed are all good-my PERSONAL FAVORITE happens to be the Chesser book), but nothing beats "seeing it done".....try to find a local carver that will mentor you, go to a decoy show, buy a tape, (see Willy McDonald for the carving and Lou Tisch for the painting), do a search on this site on "carving".....you'll find tons of information on the search like places to get the "parts" and you might just find someone in S.C. tht already carves and that would be willing to give you some basic help.......

Like I said books are great but not the "best way" to get started....you'll be miles ahead if you can get some hands on insturction from the beginning....

Steve, I have a nickname too but I save it for Batchelor Parties, Topless Bars and Lesbian Anonymous get togethers, Sutton
 
Froggy,

Fill in your profile, use your real name, tell us about yourself and pass on the books by matus.

T
 
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and then only to differentiate yourself from Mr. Sab Caponi #2, and even then ONLY AFTER years of posting.....

Sorry, its the rule......or, as Lee says, because I like to argue....

Steve
 
Steve

I was one of the people who "slipped thru the cracks" I think eric did let me slide because I was a long time registered user but more a lurker simply because I was intimidated. I thought all you guys were super close knit, and I wouldn't be accepted. Eric actually mailed me and told me how it is and suggested I use my real name. He even made me feel welcome and joked that I was part of the Long Island duck mafia (which was cool with me) It was at that time I changed my user name and started posting


Sab

PS I still like to be called Snoop Sabby Sab but alas thats my stage name
 
Steve

I was one of the people who "slipped thru the cracks" I think eric did let me slide because I was a long time registered user but more a lurker simply because I was intimidated. I thought all you guys were super close knit, and I wouldn't be accepted. Eric actually mailed me and told me how it is and suggested I use my real name. He even made me feel welcome and joked that I was part of the Long Island duck mafia (which was cool with me) It was at that time I changed my user name and started posting


Sab

PS I still like to be called Snoop Sabby Sab but alas thats my stage name
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Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, from New York......heh. I was once talking with a customer from New York and at one point he asked me..."...ever wonder why we New Yorkers are so mad all the time?" Well, of course I was curious so I said, "Yes, why". To which he said, "...we're that way because the light-at-the-end-of-our-tunnel is...New Jersey".
Couldn't resist.
Lou
www.lockstockbarrell.com
 
Hey Tod,

Curious, why pass on the Matus book? My daughter bought it for me for Christmas cause I wanted to try carving. I think it's giving me some good basics. I actually have a block of tuba wood that LOOKS LIKE A DUCK. I tried "Carving" 20 some years ago, didn't know about patterns and centerlines, reference materials, etc. got so disgusted that once was enough. I have since bought into the sickness on this site and decided I NEED a gunning rig, and I want to carve it. These blocks won't be detailed or woodburned, and they'll be painted to the best of MY ability. Probably all tuba wood, but as long as they look better than the plastics in the garage I'm happy. I will agree with Sutton , (kinda surprised me, he likes to argue yano:)) hands on is definitely good. I talked to a local carver about sitting down with him and am gonna try to get to the Twin Cities this weekend for the MN decoy collectors show. The book has helped but I have been frustrated several times as to the clarity of the instructions but I'm writing that off as my not knowing anything:). Not defending Matus , just curious about your thoughts.
Oh yeah, ? for you tuba wood carvers. First block is all gime cedar. tuba 8 in the middle with double tuba 4s above and below plus a 1" bottom board. Will I bite myself in the butt if I mix cedar tuba 8 and doug. fir tuba 4s in layers. I've got a bunch of the tuba 4s so I'd just have to buy the cedar.

Thanks, George
 
On the Matus book, I wouldn't use the pages of his book to start a fire if I was dying of hypothermia.

Tommy is persona non grata here.

Tod
 
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