Cane Carving with Rigid Foam

I have been exploring new-to-me crafts with the idea of discovering what I might learn that I can bring back to the wood carving community.  Recently, that has led me into two new hobbies – terrain building for gamers, and cosplay costumes. And I had one of those “light bulb” moments – High Density Rigid Foam Cane Toppers.

Free Wood Spirit Pattern Below

Polyurethane, high-density, sculpture foam – a product originally created as insulation. Unlike Styrofoam which is compressed beads, HDF is tightly packed foam particles.  There is no grain, its light weight, and it cuts easily with any of our regular carving tools.

 

After the carving and coloring are completed, you can harden the foam by using several coats of brush-on polyurethane sealer, varnish, or shellac.

 

It has the advantage that it carves very easily – little pressure is needed.  Our older carvers that are now suffering from arthritis can continue their carving hobby by simple switching to foam.

 

The second largest advantage is that used as a cosplay staff, the product is light weight.  This will make the cane or stick easy to carry to any convention.

 

High Density Polyurethane – Sculpture Foam Carving Polyurethane – high-density, sculpture foam is a product originally created as insulation. Unlike Styrofoam which is compressed beads, HDF is tightly packed foam particles. There is no grain, its light weight, and it cuts easily with any of our regular carving tools.

Available on Amazon.com 
Sculpture Polyurethane Foam Carving Blocks

 

The high-density foam is excellent for canes, staffs, and walking sticks, or just as decorative pieces. After the carving and coloring are completed, you can harden the foam by using several coats of brush-on polyurethane sealer, varnish, or shellac.
Available under the names of:
rigid sculpture foam
rigid carving foam
prop foam
sculpture blocks
polyurethane blocks

Please, do not confuse rigid foam with either Styrofoam or floral foam.

Free Pattern – Please click on the image to get a full-sized copy!

I have an in-depth free tutorial on my pattern website about how to carve the wood spirit face – 17 pages, lots of photos, and did I mention it is totally free!

Here are a few samples I have been doing with high density, rigid foam cane topper carving!

Wood Spirit	Santa	Chess King 1
Ru Paul	Wood Spirit	Lumberjack
Willie	Gone Fishin’	Nitro
General Buford	Sammy	Chess King 2
Chess King 3	Forest Spirit	Samurai
Chess Pawn 1	Chess Pawn 1	Little Warrior