Recarve or Not Recarve . . .

That is the question!

There's a discussion ongoing on Atlas Quest as well as our Newboxers talk list. A letterboxer asked the question about the proper etiquette in replacing and recarving an early box when that boxer's carving skills were still new. Should they recarve since they've come a long way in their carving skills? Was that proper? This boxer was almost ashamed of the way these early carvings look in comparison to present skills.

There were some interesting comments. Some thought that sure, it would be fine. Afterall the box ultimately belongs to the placer and any new visitor would never know that box had been redone. Others thought that the older stamp should remain - as it's a little piece of history and really documents the development of that particular boxer's skills.

Earlier this year, Sue & I did some of Jay Drew's early boxes. Those that don't know Jay - he's a terrific carver and person as well! It was so great to find some of his earlier efforts and to marvel at how far his carving prowess has come! That record in his early boxes is to us a nice way to keep a little bit of history in place. Should Susan Davis recarve Prayer Rock?

While our everyday boxes do not have the status of the Prayer Rock box, they are bits of you and I. So we vote "Keep 'em as they are - store-bought or poorly carved chucks o'rubber." They are all important pieces of us and show our development as carvers and letterboxers alike!