Working Duck Decoys
Working decoys are the second most important tools to waterfowlers next to their shotgun, but working decoys also have a long standing tradition of not just being tools, but also works of art. Every flyway and region across the country has a history of the working decoy.
My working decoys are a modern day interpretation of the Delaware River school of decoy carving, made famous by carvers such as John Blair Sr. (1842-1928), John English (1849-1915) and Charles Black (1882-1956). These decoys are life size and feature characteristics such as raised primary feathers, fluted wings and tails and a semi-rounded bottom.
My decoys are each hand carved from locally cut New Jersey cedar. They are carved using a combination of draw knives, spoke shaves, carving knives and power tools. Each decoy is hollow and utilizes a pad weight and leather thong for line attachment. Premium glass eyes bring each decoy to life. Every decoy is also hand painted using oil paints, which have excellent durability but also develop a patina with age, giving the decoy a classic aged look over time.
I also carve working decoys in the Barnegat bay school of carving. These decoys are very similiar to the Delaware river school. Most notable differences are the absence of raised wing feathers and carved tail detail. Otherwise this style shares many of its characteristics with the Delaware School. Many of my diver ducks and Brant are in the Barnegat bay school.
My working decoys are a modern day interpretation of the Delaware River school of decoy carving, made famous by carvers such as John Blair Sr. (1842-1928), John English (1849-1915) and Charles Black (1882-1956). These decoys are life size and feature characteristics such as raised primary feathers, fluted wings and tails and a semi-rounded bottom.
My decoys are each hand carved from locally cut New Jersey cedar. They are carved using a combination of draw knives, spoke shaves, carving knives and power tools. Each decoy is hollow and utilizes a pad weight and leather thong for line attachment. Premium glass eyes bring each decoy to life. Every decoy is also hand painted using oil paints, which have excellent durability but also develop a patina with age, giving the decoy a classic aged look over time.
I also carve working decoys in the Barnegat bay school of carving. These decoys are very similiar to the Delaware river school. Most notable differences are the absence of raised wing feathers and carved tail detail. Otherwise this style shares many of its characteristics with the Delaware School. Many of my diver ducks and Brant are in the Barnegat bay school.