The finest Swiss steel chisels gouges are used to create the carvings, kept razor sharp with a combination of whetstone ,Arkansas slip stones and regular stropping on a leather strop, or a felt wheel.
Texturing where needed is applied with the considered and careful use of fine dentists drills.
Although the leaves, stalks etc. appear to be so delicate, an unnoticeable structure runs through the whole piece, supporting all parts and retaining the inherent strength of the wood. Andrew uses his all his wealth of experience to carve the wood down to the barest minimum and yet making sure that the finished work of art will be strong enough to survive the rigours of normal handling, cleaning, etc..
The two most popular questions which people ask are; "Does a delicate piece ever break when the carving is nearly finished?" and , "It must take an enormous amount of patience?". The answers? Well yes, very occasionally a piece does break, after which the carving either has to be scrapped completely, or more often 'redesigned'. As for patience, obviously when something happens as just described it would test the patience of a saint, but apart from that? Well, Andrew describes carving as being a "conversational debate with a piece of clever and witty wood, sometimes I'm right, and I win and sometimes the wood is right, and it wins, but the best time is when we are both in agreement" Bored? Never!
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