Please click on a picture to enlarge. Decide on a hunk of wood to carve. Either a stump (de-barked, and sheard down the sides to square), or a scrap piece of beam will do. For this project, we have used a piece of scrap 6"x6" beam rescued from a local sawmill. First, square up the bottom of your piece, if needed. Drill pilot holes, and screw the piece securely into your stump on all four sides (place screws slightly off-center). Choose the best face for the front of your carving. Keep knots and flaws to the back. Sketch your pattern onto the wood. Cross mark the center of the top. Take the bear profile pattern (optional) and mark the both sides with a marker. Connect the back of the ears across the top. Your marked bear should look something like this. Now you're ready to carve. These will be your first two cuts. The first cut shapes the back of the head. Cut #2 hollows out the back a little so he has a butt. We're using a Husqvarna saw. Your little guy should look like this after the first two cuts. Next, we want to get this.... ...and we do that by... ...marking the center and angles, and making the first cut at an angle. Make angle cuts from the center of the snout down, on both sides of the front (face). Once both angle cuts are made, cut from front to back to remove wood. Next we want to continue shaping the top of the head by cutting off the top of the triangle horizontally. First, make a small cut about 2" down at the back, in front of the ears. Slice the top off, and we have the started defining the ears and shaping the head. Now for a little Beverly Hills nose-job. You will make two small cuts; one down and one across. Make one short cut about 2" down (as indicated). Then, make a cut back. WATCH OUT FOR FLYING WOOD! ...Remember all that emphasis on Safety Gear? There was a good reason! This hunk of wood hit the photographer square in the head at about 35 mph. Thank goodness for a Hard Hat and Eye Protection is all she can say! Mark the area for the snout. Cut down both sides along the nose/mouth area. Now we're going to trim down the face. Make a simple straight cut under the snout. Trim off the "cheeks" on each side. You can start to see your little bear take shape. OKAY! BREAK TIME!!!! This is a good time to take a break. Clean your saw of debris, check the oil (if you haven't a few times already), and the chain. Also, take a moment to stand back and admire your accomplishment thus far. On the next page, we will be dealing with two very tricky and dangerous cuts: The Plunge Cut and The Upper Cut. Please review these cuts thoroughly before continuing carving. When you're ready, click "Page 2" to continue. How to Carve a BEAR Page 2 How to Chainsaw Carve Home Page How to Carve a BEAR - Page 2 The Plunge Cut & The Upper Cut How to Carve a BEAR - Page 3 How to Carve a BEAR - Page 4 How to Carve a BEAR - Page 5 Safety Gear Chainsaws Stains & Finishes Chisel Me Timbers Carving Home Page