I think I want to start carving decoys as a hobby. I've always had some artistic ability and I think it would be rewarding. Problem is, I really don't have any of the tools I would need to do it. For the carvers out there, what all do I need to get started? I think I would start out with the pre-cut body so I don't have to invest in a band saw. Any advice from experienced people would be appreciated. Thanks

+1
Just a couple for the office would be cool.

Paging Dave!

Do a search in this section on Dave Speer.

He does some great work.

When he started he used Styrofoam, but has moved into wood.

Will be a group of us getting together probably in March. I can give you some starting info if you can't wait and want to jump right in-- I'd rather spend a day together than type my fingers off on a forum or text. You can order blanks online or cut out at my place.

I just got started in on this too. Took some old wooden decoys that had chipped paint, and repainted them, and am going to start carving my own soon. From what Ive read you need the band saw to cut the blanks, and then a spokeshave and draw knife to shape the birds.

My grand dad made and sold great duck decoys at the Canton First Monday sale in Texas. He retired after doing automobile body repair work and becoming a Maestro with a fender grinder for shapes. He would buy 4 x 6 or 6 x 8 timbers and cut out the body shapes. My gran ma died and my Grand dads new wife was a Liberian and she did the research about correct body shapes, colors and eyes. His name was John Patton. He had buyers Antique dealers from Dallas, Houston, and Louisiana wanting to buy his production before the Canton weekend sale. He would tell them to come around on Sunday 4 pm and they could talk wholesale after he had the weekend to BS with customers and sell at retail. I promise to post pictures of his great decoys.

Dave Speer is doing some great work. Another place for inspiration is Jode Hillman's website, HILLMAN DECOYS

I've made a few ugly ones I hunt over. I give them away faster than I can build a spread.

http://workingdecoys.net/workingdecoysforum/index.php

This seems like a good site, I've just started fiddling w/carving.

Dave Speer is the guy you need to meet up with. This pic is an example of his work. I am not a fan of other carvers, I am infatuated with Dave's ability as a carver. He is humble and won't admit it. Hold his and a Jobes decoy up next to each other. Dave's decoys hands down have way more realism than Jobes. Jobes decoys seem almost cartoonish compared to Dave's decoys if you ask me. Jobes will kill birds, I just appreciate the attention to the most minute details that Dave puts into his work.



Jobes decoy
[IM[URL=http://s137.photobucket.com/user/wal1809/media/decoys/jobes_zpsirtbthgk.jpg.html]

Apples an oranges

I would agree they have two very different styles. I am just one for the detail in Dave's decoys. Jobes has there place in the duck world, just not in mine. I have a jobes in my house, given to my bride and I for a wedding gift. I love it and cherish it for what it is, wall art and a very nice gift from a dear friend.

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Honda Civic VS Corvette

Wow those Spear decoys are awesome. How long would it take to turn out about 5 dozen?

Not sure. Mine just showed up in the mail one day. If I had a dozen of them or so I would shoot over them. I just don't want to take the one that I have and get the paint scarred up or anything like that.

Cheapest way is to start is with foam. Google "foam decoy carving" to find some of the videos that show the "how to do it". These can also be your future patterns when you get in to the wood decoys. Nothing but a basic jig saw or even a $4 coping saw along with a knife and a Sure Foam rasp. Or get fancy and make an electric foam cutter for less than $10.

Thanks for the compliment! As far as time ... I've never really been in any kind of hurry.

you have to decide if you want to make mantle pieces or gunning decoys.

I've made 80 gunning decoys, redheads, scaup, cans, goldeneye, and buffleheads, from marine foam that work great and can never sink.

Chris is my neighbor and I swing by his shop to see what he is up to when I get the chance. He has more talent in his pinky finger than I do in my whole body when it comes to wood carving and painting. Check out some of his work here: mcsweenart.com. He is working on a life size bald eagle now. One of my favorites was a road runner (chaparral) but I like the horny toads, too. They are all very impressive and he is a really nice guy as well.

That's some real cool stuff, really dig that kestrel over cactus.