Guest
This is a long comprehensive video about making a dog (chien). I made this video using simple tools that I could find online without a work bench and without power tools. I want others to be able to make a dog without the need for a lot of expense or a large space for their tools. I made a few mistakes as I went such as saying the strings vibrate 1000's of time per “second“ when I meant to say “minute“. These things happen. I am not ready to redo the entire video just for a few small errors. I'm sure you'll understand. I also know that I restate things often. I do this because they are important and things that are important should be restated so there importance can be understood. I bet that if you watch the whole video you'll remember forever that the pivot needs to be dead straight and square afterward. That is why I restate it often. I mentioned carving knives and then forgot to talk further about them. I will add a few names below. Please don't hurt yourself while making a dog. It is really easy to cut yourself using my process. Use a sharp knife and be cautious. I also understand that these videos are not always for English speakers so I try to use gestures and drawings to help them through the process. Finally, I am not a luthier. I am a guy that just loves the HG. I have been working in them for almost 20 years but I am not a builder. I teach classes and this the most requested skill that people ask that I teach. This is how I make dogs. If you have a faster or better way to make a dog I encourage you to share it. I encourage you to find problems with the dogs I make and make suggestions (rude remarks are unhelpful, be helpful not rude). I get my carving knives from a local maker, Joe Girtner, whom I met at a knife show. I like the handle shape and overall design. You might be able to find a local carving knife maker to make yours, if not, here are some online options. Stryi carving knives (Reviews are good and bad although I like the one I own, it needs sharpening before use) BeaverCraft (the handles are kind of flat but they are of good quality) Flexcut (probably the most easily available knife but it needs sharpening before use) Search for “chip carving knife“ and find the type you like. Be aware of how the handle will fit in your hand and the size and shape of the knife in general. Saws Gyokucho Razorsaw (double sided with a fine and a course cutting side) Tamatori single blade saw (small easy to use and super flexible) Any good pull saw with a fine tooth blade. Finer tooth blades make finer cuts and remove less material per draw which give you better control. Wood (if you don't have the tools to cut down wood on your own) Look for “pen blanks“ online, find a local woodworker that is willing to provide you with cut-offs, or buy a piece of hardwood and cut it down using your saw. There are sources online for wood but it is always best to find a local source where possible. other tools are more easily obtained, find the tools that fit your needs.
