Back to work.

Literally. I've moved on to carving the maple back. This requires almost every cutting tool I can throw at it and a picture is worth a thousand words so here.

Alright so maybe that doesn't quite show them too well. I've got 2 small finger planes, a couple of curved gouges, 2 Microplane rasps, a #2 plane a block plane and something I bought recently, an old Miller Falls duplex plane. The duplex plane allows me to use a blade that mounts close to the front which is great for planing down towards the re-curve. The re-curve is the shape along the outer edge where the very edge is 3/16" then gradually goes down to ~1/8" before rising back up to the middle of the plate. Notice I've done all this shaping without making any sanding dust. This is my ultimate goal but I do have some for when I just can't do with out it.

So I've gone from this

To this.

Actually I've gotten a little further but haven't taken the picture yet. I got a little ahead of myself carving the scroll without checking the thickness at the button or center of the scroll. It's way to thick and not at all according to plan. I had to cut the scroll thickness down to 3/8"++. I'm pretty much there now and just need to do some final adjustments before I start hollowing out the other side. Won't be long now.

Oh yeah, one more tool I noticed while looking at the picture. A recently acquired carvers spoon gouge.
I'm not quite sure I like it or even find it useful. Maybe when I start on the inside I'll like it more.