Customer Reviews

Making Decoys

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
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This is a great book for someone just getting started in the art of carving decoys, from either cork or wood. This is the book I bought for my father to help get him started. With it's many photo's and step by step instructions, you'll be creating your own masterpiece in no time. Aside from being a great how-to book there is also wonderful information on: the history of decoys, how to use them effectively, and the love and enjoyment of spending a day on the marsh hunting over your own decoys. No contemporary carver can rely on one source of instruction or reference material, but this book ought to be in your arsenal if you are serious about carving hunting decoys. This book does lack somewhat, in full color reference material. There are other books with this information available. All in all a great book, especially for the beginner.

The book contains detailed, step-by-step instructions for making working duck decoys from wood or cork, with numerous photographs and illustrations. A number of scaled down decoy patterns are included, as are lists of tools and materials, special painting techniques, and other areas of interest. My only quibble with the book is that I found some of the "recipes" for mixing paint to produce certain colors to be somewhat baffling. Aside from this minor point, this is an outstanding book - great for beginning decoy carvers.

Written by expert decoy caver Grayson C. Chesser and wildlife art expert Curtis J. Badger, "Making Decoys The Century Old Way" is a step-by-step guide to carving, painting, weighing and rigging, and using lifelike waterfowl decoys. Black-and-white and color photographs illustrate each phase of traditional decoy crafting, including basic carving patterns, and the easy-to-follow text walks woodworkers of all skill and experience levels through the process. This new and expanded edition of "Making Decoys The Century Old Way" is enthusiastically recommended for anyone with an interest in true do-it-yourself waterfowling and decoy woodworking.

Great book for anyone wanting to learn to make woorking decoys. Step by step instructions walk you through selecting wood/cork, carving, and painting. Contains patterns for Blackduck, Mallard, Pintail, Widgeon, Wood duck, Green-wing teal, Redhead, Canvasback, Scaup, Brant and Canada Goose.

Probably the most influential book I've purchased. Changed my body styles from Long Island to Mid-Atlantic region. The painting schemes are easier to follow and look good. Patterns are detailed and easy to follow. Every time I re-read the book I learn something new or a different technique. A good purchase for a two year novice.