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The Fleur-de-Lis (or Fleur-de-Lys) is a really old image/symbol, going way back to the 1300's and used principally since then by the French royalty. Forget the scouts! and look up it's fascinating history on Wikipedia.
There are many variations of the image; I have chosen a simple one that also make a good beginner's project. There are 3 technical things that you need to keep in mind as you carve and here we have a good chance to practise them.
Additionally, we'll go in depth into the 'paper sandwich' method of holding down work. This is a relief carving with a variable surface and edge, and no background, so would be difficult to hold otherwise. 'Paper sandwich' is my own term for this way of holding more delicate work; the paper sandwich itself has been around for a very long time. Not as far as the 1300's, for sure, but well into the Victorian era...
As always, we'll start at the beginning:
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| 10 May 2022 06:31
Scott - Yes, I used a narrower blade, 1/4in. (6mm).
In general, if you want to cut a straight line you use a wide blade - think hand or table saws. If, however, as you cut more curve your blade has to get correspondingly narrower blade,, to stop binding in the kerf - think scroll or coping saws.
So, with your bandsaw, to give yourself options you want to have a range of blade withs, 2 or 3 at least. It can be a drag to change blades but worth saving time in the long run.
| 09 May 2022 20:52
Hi, Chris. I love this design and plan to do one or two as my next carving project. I'm wondering how you got the blank cut out so nicely? Since your cut-out is so neatly and closely cut to the pattern line, it seemed from the first video that you were able to skip the normal "stabbing in" where you use tools matched to the curves to set in the outline, which is a nice time-saver. I recently purchased a bandsaw with 5/16" deep blade, and I can't make those tight turns, not even close. Do you have a narrower blade, or is there another secret to such a nice starting blank?
I hope to do lots more decorative carvings like this one in the future (next up, Acanthus Leaves), so this question will have multiple applications.
Best, Scott
