Carving the Mallard Head with Tommy Rogers

Text and photos by Tommy Rogers Begin with layout of the side and top profile of the head pattern on a squared-up piece of wood.  For this demonstration, I'm using tupelo.  Before cutting out the head on the bandsaw, drill a 1/4-inch hole at the eye location.  Proceed to cutting out the head.   Figure 1 Figure 1: Draw a centerline all the way around the head.   Figure 2 Figure 2: Draw the bill outline on the top and bottom of the bill. Mark the width of the "V" at the top of the bill.   Figure 3A Figure 3A: Draw the width of the crown on top of the head. Figure 3B Figure 3B: Draw the lower mandible on the bottom of the bill and outline the neck area. Figure 4 Figure 4: Use a sanding drum to size the bill width. Mark the top of the bill as shown.   Figure 5A Figure 5A: Draw a line (Line A) starting at the top of the bill through the center of the eye to the back of the crown. Draw another line (Line B) from the back of the eye through the widest part of the head to the bottom of the neck.   Figure 5B Figure 5B: Draw a profile of the bill on both sides of the bill (upper mandible).   Figure 6A Figure 6A, 6B, 6C: Remove wood above Line A to the outside of the crown line on top of the head.   Figure 6B     Figure 6C     Figure 7A  Redraw the line through the eye. Draw a second line halfway between the former line and the top of the head.   Figure 7B  Draw a line one-third of the way in on the top of the crown, beginning at the outside of the "V" at the front of the head, to the back of the head. Remove wood in the shaded area in Figure 7A and 7B.   Figure 8A  Remove all corners in Figures 8A, 8B, 8C.   Figure 8B     Figure 8C     Figure 9A  Round the crown and cheek areas using a small sanding drum as shown in Figures 9A and 9B.   Figure 9B     Figure 10A  Starting at the back of the bill between the upper and lower mandibles, make a trench up to the bottom center of the eye. Make another channel about 3/8 inch behind the first channel. The distance from the inside corners of the eyes should be 25mm. Channel this distance into the bill as shown.   Figure 10B     Figure 10C     Figure 11  Remove wood. Then, round and sand the head.   Figure 12  Draw upper bill detail.   Figure 13  Draw lower bill detail.   Figure 14  Adjust distance between the eyes at the front inside corner to 25mm. Carve bill detail and set eyes. Place head on the decoy body and shape the neck and breast area.