Dala Horse

[David]

This is the second posting of my horses. The first time they were in the wrong paddock. They are carved out of Lime (basswood) and kept wet while being carved. They have a tooled finish and are painted using acrylic paint.
David

[witt]

Nice work, David !
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[Robin Fawcett]

The horses look lovely in their own paddock - what's the metal gizmo against the apple in the first photo?

[davestovell]

what's the metal gizmo against the apple in the first photo

Isn't it obvious Robin, it's a thing-me-bob.

[David]

The metal gizmo/thing-me-bob is in fact a micro-drawknife with a 1.5" blade (that should make all the pro. bodgers cry). It is made by Jim Wester at North Bay Forge, as is the knife in the same picture - double edge bent, used palm up. I have a number of Jim's tools, and apart from being very functional, they are very easy to sharpen, and keep an edge for a long time.

The picture of the guy carving the horse is really good. The horse looks quite big, I think mine are smaller.

Thanks for the comments.
David

[witt]

The guy is a worker from Olson's famous factory which produces those horses in Dalarna, many of them for export. He works at home, in his kitchen. They decline the horse model in a range of various sizes.

[David]

Where did you get the details on the pictures from?
Thanks
David

[witt]

"Levande trâ" = Living wood

I'ts a book which is a compilation of different topics concerning the tradtional use of wood in Sweden.

[David]

Many thanks Witt.
David

[witt]

You're welcome.

Swedish horse :

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Faroe Islands horse ;

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[David]

Wish I had the skill to do work like that.
David