Notch cut
The notch cut or notch carving is one of the oldest ornamental arts. It is known to many peoples. Ornaments were carved into stone or wood in the distant past. These were attached to objects of daily use, roof trusses and in some cases also to holy places.
In chip carving, patterns are drawn on z. B. drawn wood and then gouged out or cut with sharp knives . The result was deepened patterns which, through their frequent repetition, left a pleasing impression. Woods with an even grain are often used. Linden , alder , pear , fine-grain spruce and Swiss stone pine are suitable . Woods with a strong grain are not so good because their structure does not allow the carving to come into its own.
Traditionally, a chip carving knife is used for carving. It is a knife with a short blade. Carving is mostly done with one hand, with the thumb resting on the carving surface. The other hand holds the carved object.
Modern carvers use sculpting tools . This improves the uniformity of the carving. Chip carvings live through the small inaccuracies in the execution.
Two of the most important notch cuts are the so-called Three-cut and the six-cut. By lining up these cuts, different patterns are created. The three-way cut is created by two vertical and one flat, horizontal excavation cut. All three cuts meet at the lowest point.
The six-cut creates a kind of inverted pyramid. Three vertical cuts and three shallow horizontal excavation cuts are made. All cuts meet in the middle, at the lowest point.
Cuts like the carved rosette are called tail or almond cuts. These can be carved with a chip carving knife or a special tailoring knife.
With the help of notch cuts, inscriptions were also made in half-timbered houses . To do this, the blade of a carving knife was removed from the handle and a new, longer handle was attached. This long handle could be supported on the shoulder, giving you better control over the cut. Such shoulder knives can still be obtained in Switzerland today.
Finished carvings are usually treated with wax , because the thickness of the paintwork makes the carvings appear blurred. The depressions can also be colored with colors, which makes them stand out more.
literature
- Christian Zeppetzauer: Chip carving. Leopold Stocker Verlag, Graz 2004, ISBN 3-7020-1057-2 .
- Christian Rubi: The chip carving . Hans Schuber Verlag, Bern, 8th edition, 1987, ISBN 3-456-70073-3 .
- William Strüve: The carving, its ornamentation and its application , designed by William Strüve, wood sculptor. Printed and published by Carl Griese, Hamburg 1891.
- Notch cut templates by C. Grunow. Templates for manual skills lessons. Published by EA Seemann, Leipzig / Berlin 1884.
