Things got a bit meta earlier this year when I used chainsaws to create chainsaw sculptures! The sculptures were created for the opening of Contra House (Stihl’s new UK headquarters), and were started in my workshop then finished as part of a live demonstration at the event. It’s the first time I’ve been asked to create a chainsaw and I loved the challenge. As a Stihl ambassador it was also really great to be able to contribute something to their landmark event. In this blog I’ll share a bit about the process behind the sculptures as well as the event itself. So keep reading to learn more about my chainsaw sculptures for the opening of Contra House…
ABOUT CONTRA HOUSE
Before I talk about my chainsaw sculptures for the opening of Contra House, let’s talk a bit about what Contra House actually is!
Contra House is the new headquarters for Stihl UK, named after their first chainsaw. It’s very impressive! It houses over 100 staff and was designed with operational efficiency, customer service, and employee well-being in mind. It features best-in-class dealer training facilities, studio, collaborative workspaces, on-site restaurant, and a fully-fitted technical workshop. It’s exactly what’s needed for a company of Stihl’s caliber, and ideal for providing support for their network of dealers. The official opening was back in April this year, and it was a fantastic day all round.
THE OPENING OF CONTRA HOUSE
I was invited to take part in the opening of Contra House as a Stihl Ambassador. The whole event included a log cutting ceremony to officially open the building (no ribbons and scissors here!), a building tour, speeches, and a display of new products. Oh, and the chainsaw carving demonstration by yours truly!
Earlier in the year I started work on sculptures of the Stihl Contra (its first ever chainsaw) and the MS500i. I took them with me and finished them on the day using an MS200c. The saw is one of Stihl’s range of battery chainsaws – one of their key products as they move into the future.
SAWS FROM SAWS!
So what was it like making a chainsaw from a chainsaw?
The biggest challenge was deciding on scale. I made the saws roughly 1.3 times life-size, and with the 500I I had a saw to measure and scale up. The challenge came with carving the Contra, as I only had pictures, and there were a couple of differences in the model style in some of the images! I had to create a control image to scale from, then take all the other images and find common features to gauge the measurements of the chainsaw from. This involved a lot of maths and patience!
I cut the bodies from single pieces of cedar and the bars and chains from ash. I then used dowels to attach the bars to the body. Quick aside – people often ask how I join large pieces of wood together. Dowels can be great, and were the best method for these saws. It’s not the only method I use though. Find out more about the different techniques I use and when at: Tips for Constructing Large Sculptures.
It was great to see the saws come together and there’s something fascinating about a larger than life version of a chainsaw!
COMPLETING THE SAWS
I used my MSA 200c to finish the saws as a demonstration of a battery saw. If you follow me on social media or read my blog recently, you’ll know I’m a BIG fan, and I love that Stihl will be implementing a ‘battery first’ strategy in the coming months and years.
The big pros for me include the noise (so much nicer to have a quieter saw), the benefits to the environment, and the lack of vibration.
Their most recent battery saw is the MSA 300 and if you want to know more about it you can read their blog HERE or my review HERE.
VIEWING THE FINISHED CHAINSAW SCULPTURES
People often ask where my sculptures are so they can go and see them. These saw sculptures were auctioned at the Contra House opening, with proceeds going to charity.
But, PLOT TWIST!
The buyer donated them back to Stihl, so, fittingly, they’ll be on display at Contra House. You can see them, but by appointment only.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, the opening was a fantastic day and I thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality, atmosphere and the challenge of creating the chainsaws. I love being a Stihl ambassador. Having a wide range of high quality chainsaws means I can focus more on producing art, and not on how the tool is performing.
The opening of Contra House is an indicator of great things ahead for Stihl, and I look forward to partnering with them for years to come.