I’ve been catching up on some bowls, but I wanted to take a moment to share this cherry shrink pot that I finished a couple weeks ago. You might recognize my inspiration for the quote if you’ve visited By Hand & Eye, the inspiring and enabling website by the dynamic duo of George Walker and Jim Tolpin.
David Fisher, Carving Explorations 
Your creative lettering is impressive!
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beautiful as always Dave and Happy New Year–
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just did, impressive–
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You really carved the letters with a pocket knife?!
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Yes, the pen blade of the pocket knife in the photo is what I used. I started using my pocket knife for that some time ago, because it was just always with me. Whether folding or fixed-blade, the blade needs to be honed more finely than it will likely come new. And I really only use the foremost half inch or so of the blade for lettering.
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Thank you for sharing this info! That is a good motivation for all of us hobby woodworkers who are daunted by the incredible toolset the professionals own and show in their woodshops. I know that a larger toolset in the hands of the right person expands the tasks or makes them easier. But I often see that most of the beauty in handcrafted pieces had been created through such basic – often ordinary, sometimes simple – tools. Good to see that “down to earth”-aspect in your work, too.
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Drooling a little…
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Absolutely stunning work.
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As usual, love your beautiful work. Thanks for sharing!
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Howdy,
Beautiful work there. I’m hoping to get in on your workshop during greenwoodfest to see how you do it. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Very inspirational!
How long does it take to carve the letters out?
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Long. Honestly, I’m horrible at keeping track of the time; partly because my working sessions are often broken up so much, and partly because I don’t like to keep track of the time. I do know that it can take me longer to think about and design the lettering than it does to carve it. And, depending on the piece, the letter carving can take longer than the making of the piece. There are so many variables including the hardness of the wood, but, if you’re trying it and it’s taking longer than you expected, you’re probably on the right track!
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