Author Archives: Dave Fisher

A Bowl for Enkidu

Posted on December 4, 2016 by Dave Fisher

It seems that our problem with portion control goes back at least 4700 years.  In the Epic of Gilgamesh, probably the oldest recorded story in human history, Shamhat is tasked with civilizing the wild beastly man Enkidu.  To lure him … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bowls, historical reference, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Roof Top Bowl

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Dave Fisher

Most of us are familiar with the two usual orientations for bowl carving: working “upside down” into the bark side of the bowl (an innovation that Bengt Lidström was known for), and working into the flat split surface of the half log. … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, layout, patterns, proportions, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Cold November Rain

Posted on November 19, 2016 by Dave Fisher

As I happily remain in the shop this morning, in my head I hear Axl Rose’s refrain. I’m carving flutes along the outer surface of this little “wine bowl.” This is quiet, contemplative work that seems to fit a rainy morning. … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, ale bowls, bowls, carving, cherry, finding wood, green woodworking, holding, quotes and excerpts, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Bent, Warped, and Twisted

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Dave Fisher

I had a plan in my mind for a square tapering shrink pot. As I smacked the froe and watched the waste from the first side fall away, I realized this log had other plans.  This cherry tree had grown with a … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, cherry, green woodworking, Lettering, shrink box, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Autumn Perspective

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Dave Fisher

When I write about trees and birds and the view from a hilltop, I wonder if they are important in the face of elections, and foreign aid, and taxes, and missiles and satellites.  Then I know that arguments end, men … Continue reading →

Posted in nature, photography, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Roving, Designing and Sketching

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Dave Fisher

We carvers are fortunate to have the opportunity to both conceive a design and execute it with nothing more than a chunk of wood and a few sharp tools, and it’s a thrill  when the idea becomes a reality before … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, books, bowls, patterns, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Launch of the Dragon Ale-Bowl

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Dave Fisher

…but Sigurd himself steered the dragon-keel which was the greatest and noblest; richly wrought were the sails, and glorious to look on. — The Story of Sigurd from The Völsunga saga, 13th century Ok, so that’s obviously not a photo of Sigurd’s ship … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bowls, cherry, green woodworking, patterns, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Five Baa Hurdles

Posted on October 18, 2016 by Dave Fisher

  Well, I think that’s how they say it in eastern Mass. anyway.  Just in case you may not be aware, there’s a pretty unique riving and hurdlemaking opportunity coming up with Plymouth CRAFT; a chance to spend a weekend … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

The T-Handle Auger

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Dave Fisher

To bore the initial hole in a shrink pot, I use an auger, typically this two-inch diameter T-handle auger.  I found mine at flea market years ago.  Large augers like this aren’t rare, but there are a few things to … Continue reading →

Posted in sharpening, tools, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Sighting the Lines

Posted on October 8, 2016 by Dave Fisher

We’re all familiar with the idea of sighting down the length of a board to check for straightness of line.  It is amazing how well our eyes can pick up even slight deviations in the flow of a line when … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, layout, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 3 Comments