Another hobby.
 

Most likely not very exciting for most here but this is something I mess around with. I make duck decoys. They are not highly detailed because I like old fashioned working decoys (gunners). Make them to look like something a waterfowler would have hauled into the marsh back before cork, rubber and Styrofoam was introduced. Pics are pretty self explanatory. Feel free to ask questions if you are interested.

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more

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Here is where I left off. Pretty rough, but shape is complete. I have the head, keel and body glued up. Just needs to dry overnight. I have not decided yet but I think I'm going to age it. I can do it one of two ways. 1. Crackle paint. 2. coat it in watered down glue and cover it with fine sawdust for texture prior to painting it.

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woodn't fool me:uhmk:

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Thats cool man. How long does one take you to make, start to finish?

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Well thats hard to say. So much depends on my motivation, drying times between glue and paint. All of the above is from today. I'm into this one an afternoon so far. I have never use patterns. Some turn out ok. Others surprise Me. I couldn't make two the same either. They all take on their own personalities as I make them. When I do make one I really like I trace its base & head for a pattern. I can never duplicate it though.

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Thats cool man. I hear ya. Do u sell them or just use them yourself?

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I've sold most of the ones I've made to pay for the antique dekes that I collect. Some from and unknown carvers and others well known. I started carving in 1992 with a steak knife and a hunk of 4x4 post. It's a horrific looking thing, but I kept it anyway. I took second place with my first entry into a carving contest. I toss them into the water sometimes, but they are mostly for nostalgia. Lots of collectors have bought them. I had a guy back east buy every decoy I could make for a year. He told me my dekes were on his covered porch over looking the mighty Missisippi River. I'm also proud that one of my decoys is/was on a confidential ship in a confidential place bringing some sort of happiness to a serviceman. Hope he didn't shoot it!:lol:

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Cool man. Very nice work!

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After some sanding this morning I painted it. I like mixing my own paint. I usually start with a main color and tweak it into what I want as I go. That way the color contrasts are fairly mild. When the paint dries I'll put a coat of clear vanish on it.

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Here it is completed.

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Turned out great!

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Nice work Don!
So do you start with 2x6 or 2x8 KD?
Is your stamp woodburning or ink?

Looks good!:metal:

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Thanks guys. My pics are bad. I think it looks better in real life, but I think the same of myself:lol: The stamp is a brass branding iron. I usually make a few dekes before I heat the iron. It takes a while to get it hot enough to burn with a propane torch. My smaller dekes are #2 Kd 2x8, and goose dekes are 2x12.

This one is already boxed up and being shipped tuesday.

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Ive had the pleasure of seeing some in person, and they do look great! Even better in person. Nice work Don!

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Man, I really like the work you are doing. I like the old look of things. Looks like something my grandfather would have. Brings back memories.

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thats great work.....

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I still want to try this Don, and I think I can get enough from the pictures posted here to get started on it. Thanks.

LockDoc

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That's very cool. My Grandpa used to make decoys and paint all types of ducks.

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I figured since theres some interest I'd post a few more pics. Thanks everyone for the compliments, and thanks for making me take a few off the shelf. Now I have a lot of dusting to do!

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Quack

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Honk

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almost there