Baz Posted June 10, 2011 Report Share Posted June 10, 2011 Hi all This is my second posting and for this one I decided to stick to my Xacto knives and sandpaper. I'm quite pleased with the result - so far - but would like a bit of advice please. (the photos don't do the shine justice though) 1 - Can someone tell me the best way to polish the groove without taking too much material off? 2 - Being a Pakeha I'm not sure what the correct term is but my Maori wife says it looks like a Heru (Comb for holding the male topknot in place) I'm inclined to agree, but personally I feel there are not enough tines. We have tried it out, but due to it's small size (85mm) it keeps falling out. Would a few more tine help? I eagerly await any comments from all you carvers out there. Cheers Barry (PS the back is not yet finished) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natasha Posted June 10, 2011 Report Share Posted June 10, 2011 Hi Baz! A nice piece! I use different sandpapers for polishing, the final polishing I do with #1500, #2000, #2500, #3000 - they almost don't take material off. Then I wash my work with tooth-brush and alcohol mixed with water (50\50), rub it with a cotton cloth while it is wet. After drying I use paraffin dissolved in White Spirite, cover the surface with this mix, wait a bit then rub with clear cloth, paraffin closes all tiny pores of bone and will save bone, You'll get the shining result. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baz Posted June 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2011 Hi Baz! A nice piece! I use different sandpapers for polishing, the final polishing I do with #1500, #2000, #2500, #3000 - they almost don't take material off. Then I wash my work with tooth-brush and alcohol mixed with water (50\50), rub it with a cotton cloth while it is wet. After drying I use paraffin dissolved in White Spirite, cover the surface with this mix, wait a bit then rub with clear cloth, paraffin closes all tiny pores of bone and will save bone, You'll get the shining result. Good luck! Thanks Natasha - for your compliments and "recipe" - I'll give it a try when I feel it is really finished Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted June 11, 2011 Report Share Posted June 11, 2011 I think that the tines should be longer. Long enough to go through the knot of hair and stick out the other side. That length holds and stabilizes the knot of hair. Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Posted June 11, 2011 Report Share Posted June 11, 2011 Traditional Heru would consist of 6 or more tines. They would usually be 4-5mm wide and perhaps 2mm in between each tine. The heru itself were usually quite large, about 4 - 6 inches long and 2 or more inches wide. I like this piece, as a contemporary take on a Heru. Perhaps made into a pendant. I can't imagine this working as a Heru normally would. Nice work all the same. b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Posted June 11, 2011 Report Share Posted June 11, 2011 For your groove. For me, once I get any tool marks out with 180-320 grit, I'll finish with a 600-800 grit for a smooth finish, and this takes little off the piece. For a sheen I'll polish on a soft muslin wheel on my bench grinder with a touch of white polishing compound. Always be very careful on the wheel. It can grab the piece if done on the wrong angle. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baz Posted June 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 Thanks Guys & Guyesses for all your comments - I'll post another couple of pictures when it is finished. Hopefully I'll be able to get the lighting right so the amount of polish I manage to achieve shows up clearer. Baz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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