The treetops had been on the ground since the logging crew left the woodlot over a year ago. I climbed over brush and through the jaggerbushes that had sprung to life in the new abundance of sunlight. It was slim pickings, but I had to put something in my backpack to make the search worth the blood. There was a bend in a lichen-encrusted cherry tree branch with some potential. Out of the pack came the pocket saw, in went a chunk of cherry tree.
At home, I split off the lower half of the crook, the part with another branch offshoot, and got to thinking. I started to shave off the bark (what a shame to remove those beautiful lichens) and decided to use the flow of the grain in this crook to make an asymmetrical bowl with lifted handles. No straightedge or square for this one; I just sketched freehand with a pencil on the cleanly shaved surface.
I took some photos along the way. I’ll let them speak for themselves in the slideshow below, but I’m happy to elaborate if you have any questions.
As you can see in the slideshow, I finished shaping the hollow by working across the grain with hook knives. That helped to deal with the subtle grain changes in the crook and to achieve the fullness of the hollow below the rim. In the high-angle shot above, you can see the resulting texture in the hollow. You may also be able to notice that I went with the gentle lateral curve that flowed through the crook.
There’s a photo of the bowl to celebrate apple season. The bowl ended up at about 16″ long, 4.5″ wide, and 5″ high. It has a home, but I’ll be on the lookout for other suitable pieces ready for some freestyling. It’s worth a few jaggers.
David Fisher, Carving Explorations 
well you know how look and how to see–xlent–beautiful bowl–
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From Peanuts to Apples i think i have it figured it out. Its all about the food isn’t it
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That’s really elegant. I enjoy being on your mailing list.
Clarke
Sent from Clarke Hambley’s iPhone
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Dave,
You and Peter F.! Looks so easy, I know it is many years of work.
The drawknife you are using-what brand is it? Is it designed as a bevel up, down, both?
Pete
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Dave,
As I mashed the “post comment” button I realized you had written a very good article back in June!
I am looking for a style like the Spannsage, now out of production. Is any company making similar knife today!
Thanks again.
Pete
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Pete, I think the closest I’ve seen (only in photos) may be the Stubai drawknife here https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/log-building-tools/20115-austrian-drawknife?item=64K0102
Notice that the handles are attached differently than in this example:https://www.ebay.com/itm/192020586054?hash=item2cb5519e46:g:wRoAAOSw6DtYRZKL
In both cases, the bevel is ground too steeply to be effective for much and would need to be ground to a more acute angle. Let me know if you find something closer. I guess I’m just hoping mine holds out at least as long as I do!
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Dave,
Thanks for your reply and links! Especially the info on the bevel angle.
I am looking for a narrow 7-8″ blade with handles out a few inches, allowing me to work on larger logs.
I will keep looking- Swiss made has one that might work, I will check on return policy.
I always really enjoy your posts!
Pete
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Just north of here is the ruin of an early 19th century homesite complete with some serious jaggers. I am thinking Osage orange is the mother of all stickers!
This bowl is deliriously beautiful. Thanks for posting.
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Thanks, Scott. Good point regarding Osage, and I’ll put Hawthorne right up there with it for fearsomeness, but in terms of tenacity and holding power, my vote goes to multiflora rose. Maybe because I’ve been clearing some lately.
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Hey David, In the photos it looks like you’re using a bowl horse made from dimensional lumber, not the one in your shop made from a log. Are you planning to provide a drawing or plans for its construction, or have you already done so and I missed it? Thanks for taking the time to respond. Robert
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Good eye, Robert. Shortly after making my original log bowl horse nearly 20 years ago, I did design and make a version from dimensional lumber. I have a page about the bowl horse, under my “resources” tab, that includes plans for the dimensional lumber version.
However, over the past few months, I’ve been working on a redesign and making prototypes. I’ve been using the final prototype for a while now, and I’m happy with it. I think it’s easier to build than the former version, and also is much improved in performance and versatility. I still have to work out some logistical details regarding shipping of plans and all sorts of stuff, but in the coming months I will be sharing the new horse and making the plans available. So, stay tuned. Thanks for asking.
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