Slide of the Month Extra: Philmont Signpost

 

December 2023

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Bill Macfarlane









It's the end of 2023 and crews have come and gone back to their homes. So here's to the 2024 crews who are preparing to go on an adventure of a lifetime and the crews of 2025 whose excitement is beginning to build. I also raise a glass to the staff of Philmont who continue to facilitate dreams and experiences for so many. May the signpost help you find your path on your journey.

The base of the signpost is carved from pallet pine and the post is a wooden dowel both painted with hobby paints. The signs are made from popsicle sticks and coated with shellac. The lettering is done with waterslide paper and a couple of coats of poly finish it off. I couldn't resist adding Earth to the sign post and Tsatsawassa, NY - well why not.

Slide of the Month Extra: Spoon

 

December 2023

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: .5 hour

Original design:  Bill Macfarlane









I was on assignment for work when I noticed a large wooden spoon hanging on the wall in the office. Everyday for a week, this kind of carving on the spoon was calling out to me. So finally I had to ask what's with the spoon? The fellow I was working with smiled and said "Sometimes you need to spoon feed people." That's all I needed to know I had to recreate that carving.

As I was traveling, I could not bring a carving knife in my carry on so off to a hobby store (Michael's or Hobby Lobby) I went. Using an X-acto knife and a piece of basswood, I spent that night carving and sanding away until I made the slide affectively known as "Spoon". When I got home, I gave the slide a couple of coats of shellac to finish it off. 

Slide of the Month: Green Bar Bill Viking

 

December 2023

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

 
Boy's Life October 1932, pages 20 and 49

 
Original design:  Unknown Scout/Bill Macfarlane







Before "Slide of the Month" became a regular feature in Boys Life, there was lots of encouragement about Scouts making their own neckerchief slides. In his regular feature "Hiking with Green Bar Bill", William Hillcourt had this to say; 

        "A few years ago, while visiting the Chicago Boy Scout Camps, a Scout presented me with what has become my favorite neckerchief slide. I never got his name and I'm really sorry I didn't, because this slide is a peach. It is a wonderful piece of wood carving in the shape of a Viking Chief. It has been with me through many countries and it has never failed to arouse interest,"

This month's "Side of the Month" is dedicated to Mr. Hillcourt and that unknown Scout. 

Using the drawing from article, I've created my version of this slide from a piece of leftover basswood. After drawing out the basic design, I began cutting out the outline of the slide not really sure how I was going to finish this. Well the more I carved, the more it came together. What I ended up with was a great looking slide. I sanded the slide but left some rough areas in the slide as scars because a Viking Chief I'm sure would have some. I finished off the slide with some shellac because it gives shows off some great details painting would not.