it can also be shaped from thick laminations. use light, soft 1/2" sheet stock and cut "u-shaped" laminations that graduate in size to make the general shape, with the two outside laminations being full pieces. the mas should be cut a bit larger than the smallest dimension each lamination will be shaped to. then, sand it to final shape. I find this method easier than shaping a solid block because the profiles of each lamination become guides to the final shaping. if you keep roughly 1/4 to 3/8 inch lap on each graduating lamination, you will end up with roughly that same wall thickness when sanded to final shape.
it's always worked for me .