Mark Colp|Mike Bihlmaier|Jason Emmons|Bob King
 

BOB KING
Carving competitively: Since 1998
ECHO Carving Series Championship Appearances: 2005: 4th Place
2006: 1st Place
2007: 1st Place
Hometown: Edgewood, Wash.
Birthday: Sept. 22
Occupation: Professional carver
Oddest job ever: “I worked for the State of Oregon on a clean-up crew that picked up dead animals along the roadside. Where chain saw carving is concerned, that would have to be sculpting a nine-foot tall ‘Hogzilla’ for CW Manufacturing Co.”
Greatest achievement: “I’m most proud of my family.
Hobbies: “I restored a Model T one-ton truck, which was the definition of patience for me. I have lots of projects going all the time. I like variety and don’t sit down very often.”
Favorite sport: “If chainsaw carving could be considered a sport, then my favorite sport is chain saw carving. I also enjoy swimming and water sports.”
Favorite wood for carving: “Western red cedar is the best wood in the Pacific Northwest. It has beautiful color and lasts a long time.”
Criteria for a good carving: “It’s all in the eye of the beholder. In my opinion, a good carving tells a story and has a sense of action and feeling.”
 
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Carving is a full-time job, with benefits
To Bob King, who does all his carving and finishing work at the Edgewood Fireplace Shop near his home in Edgewood, Wash., chain saw carving is a full-time job, but he says flexible hours are just one of the benefits. This enables him to be able to spend a lot of quality time with his family. “Without massive family support, I wouldn’t be here now, doing what I’m doing,” says King.

After serving eight years in the Air Force as a non-destructive testing specialist, King went to work for Boeing as a non-destructive testing specialist until he was laid off in 2000. He spent a year retraining as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE). After several months of interviews, Bob decided that he had a perfect opportunity to give his new-found art skills a try as a business.

King has always been intrigued by chain saw carving and enjoyed watching local carving events. Described as outgoing, adventurous and willing to try new things, it’s no surprise that King jumped right in and learned how to carve. “My first carving was of a bear holding a honey pot,” he says.

To King, carving is both an art form and a skill. “Being able to think in three-dimension is a huge advantage,” he says. His talent for carving is self-taught. “I got my carving education through the school of hard knocks – and recently I’ve taken some local art classes to learn to draw and make models.”

King has been using ECHO chain saws for three years. “My favorite ECHO chain saw is the 50.1 cc CS-520, but I also like the 66.7 cc CS-670,” he says. “The CS-520 is a screaming saw. It has a huge fluid capacity and low vibration. It’s the most versatile chain saw available.” According to King, “ECHO saws don’t wear you out. And they have the best warranty in the business, which is very important to consumer and commercial users.”

For King, the best thing about being part of the ECHO Carving Team is being able to promote the art of chain saw sculpture. “I’m loyal to those who support me,” says King. “There are like-minded people joining me on the ECHO Carving Team. Our positive, can-do attitudes combined with good people skills are a strong combination, and we have nowhere to go but up.” King adds that he competes most often against fellow teammate Mark Colp.

King says competitive carving forces him to get out of his comfort zone and take chances. “I love the energy of a big crowd – it gives me an adrenaline rush that helps me think faster on my feet,” he says.

There are times, King admits, when the uncut wood speaks to him. “There are certain odd-shaped pieces of wood that may speak to me, but things just come to the surface. I know what I want and the wood works with me,” he says.

King recently carved a 1982 Zimmer Golden Spirit kit car for ‘The Log Splitter’ episode of the “Monster Garage” television program on the Discovery Channel, but that was not his most challenging project. “My toughest one so far was a life-sized sculpture of Jesus on the cross that I carved as a commission for a local church,” he says. While it took four days to complete, King says the subject was very near and dear to his heart and the work came naturally to him. “It’s the best piece of work I’ve ever done,” he says.

The piece he’s most proud of, however, is a carving he made shortly after the events of September 11, 2001. “I carved a piece depicting Jesus comforting Lady Liberty,” says King.

Tips and advice
For up-and-coming carving enthusiasts, King offers the following advice: “Use quality equipment. You have nothing to lose, just give it a try. If you don’t like what you’ve carved, it’s just fancy firewood. You can always start over.”

When it comes to offering carving tips, King says, “Draw or make a clay form of the piece you want to carve so you have a basic outline to work from. This helps prevent mistakes. Take your time and don’t rush.” Safety is also important, says King. “Always wear your ear protection, chaps and safety goggles. Don’t alter your saw’s safety devices. Keep your head out of the path of your saw – you want to see the side of the bar with both eyes. Carve smart.”

As far as treating and curing a carved piece, King says, “Cedar will crack, so it must be sealed immediately after carving, with two to three coats of preservative. Cracking adds character and is acceptable and unavoidable. Keep the piece away from any direct sources of heat.”