Leading Maori whale bone carver (introduction)

[MsManaNui]

Aloha e Guy,

I absolutely love and have fallen in love with your work, I was wondering if you would be able to make a custom rei puta for me. It would be something that ties my connection to my aumakua while respecting maori culture. I tried to go to the kiwibone.com but it didn't come up. I'd be glad to send you a personal message with my contact information.

Mahalo Nui,

Mahealani

[surfingcarver]

@MsManaNui Kia ora,thank you for you comment.I am sorry but I would like all of my sperm whale teeth to stay here in Aotearoa.

[Lokzilla]

Thankyou for your reply, It was very helpful, good waves for you!!!

[Lokzilla]

Hey man, I'm in Tasmania and I found a huge whale skull and all the vertebrae... which part is best to use?

Love your work, it's great!

[surfingcarver]

@Lokzilla Kia ora,the flat sides of the vertebrae .The bigger the vertebrae the thicker the wall of it will be,I'm not sure about the skull .But if you cut into the part's that look solid you might find some good material.good luck.

[surfingcarver]

Kia ora,It is very nice to work with .I have used both the base known as the button and the antler trunk and tips.The button is best as it is thicker and bigger carvings can be made from them.There is no grain.

[mshelzy1]

Hello, cuz!! LOL,

It was nice to have finally meet you, I was told about you years ago and thought oh yeah another moari carver. lol yeah right amazing works, i will show you off to my art an design course i've graduated.. but still harras staff. n students we have some amazing talented carvers in this class so im so proud to boast you around i said i would....... @ Wanganui Ucol..

[surfingcarver]

@nothcumber

Kia ora if you find any on the beach then it`s your`s.you will need to source it yourself.

Ka kite

[severedarterie]

is it possible to work wood in the same fashion? I live in mainland U.S. and were short on bones, so if you could answer back id be really greatful

[surfingcarver]

@severedarterie

Kia ora,hi.Yes you should be able just use a strong hard wood ,one that can hold a good edge.I hope this helps.

[thoostorm4]

@severedarterie IM AN ARTIST THATS BEAUTIFUL WORK

[Iampolynesian]

Wish there was another crafter in this area- we'd team up on some series

[surfingcarver]

Kia ora ,yes there are not many carvers here.Most take up pushing ink tatoo (its no ta moko) making carvers more rare and that puts up the price.

[Iampolynesian]

Theres other tie methods you try those yet? leave a port hole at the top for the loop instead of looping it through the design- are you very successful at it? Theye seem to have gone up in price for more unique design ranging 60-80 to 150.00

[Iampolynesian]

We just passed them out for church never went into "Business" online but I have researched some more designs and styles - what are you doing the lines with?

[Iampolynesian]

you leave it pretty thick and bulky also interesting- when I was doing it many people wanted it large but light- but thats up to the carver each person seems to have a small difference in style and design

[surfingcarver]

Kia ora,they are all in total 3d form and not just on two sides.

[Iampolynesian]

very nice, nice clean work, unique style, you leave the edges at an angle- are they all 2 sided or one sided

[Iampolynesian]

I just saw some of your work, you do some pretty old designs

[bongoawa]

Ka Pai to mahi e hoa, Haere mai te toki, hui e, taiki e, Tena koe, ko au te awa o Whanganui, Aotea Waka. Tino Rangatiratanga Ake ake ake tonu ra, Aue Ha Hi.!!!

[ycats1000]

hey where do you get whale bone from?

[surfingcarver]

Kia ora,in 1974 sadly sixty sperm whale stranded on Muriwai beach north of Auckland New Zealand.

[thepoemlady]

May I ask if you are Toi Iho registered>

[surfingcarver]

Kia ora ,I do not agree with that labling.

[MaxSafeheaD]

Might be an idea to put a link to your website in the video description, the sound's a little muffled on the clip.

Best of luck selling your work =)

[elwoodblue42x]

Nice work dude...i currently got into this hobby of carving bones...i use an eletric carver though, i work on mostly cow bone and some whale bone to...i carv alot of the

Hei-Matau hooks and i always loved the story behind the legend and the Maori tattoo designs....well anyway nice video and keep the tradition alive

[surfingcarver]

Kia ora,thanks for your comment.I do use a dremel for most of the main carving and then finish with hand tool for a better effect on detail.Looks like you skate a bit we have a skate park here in Gisborne.