Author Archives: Dave Fisher

Evening Trees Shrink Pot

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Dave Fisher

A longing to wander tears my heart when I hear trees rustling in the wind at evening… Trees have long thoughts, long-breathing and restful, just as they have longer lives than ours.  They are wiser than we are, as long … Continue reading →

Posted in patterns, quotes and excerpts, shrink box, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Trees and Truth

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Dave Fisher

If you’re interested in etymology, trees, and truth, this short Ted Ed video is worth a few minutes of your time.  Not only does it provide a linguistic link to our timeless reverence for trees, but the animation is also … Continue reading →

Posted in historical reference, nature, trees, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Different Animals

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Dave Fisher

I was working  a couple different cherry ale bowls over the weekend and was struck again by how different they are to carve compared to “regular” bowls.  First of all, especially in this roughing-out stage, I find myself staring a … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bowls, carving, cherry, holding, layout, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged | 9 Comments

Axe Work

Posted on September 18, 2016 by Dave Fisher

I’ve been roughing out a couple walnut bowls, which means plenty of fun axe work.  One of the more challenging aspects is shaping the end grain area S curve; the bowl will be convex as it leaves the bottom, then return in … Continue reading →

Posted in axe, classes, green woodworking, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 6 Comments

If Yinz* are Ever in Pittsburgh

Posted on September 17, 2016 by Dave Fisher

Earlier this week, I found myself with a few hours to walk around the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh.  There was no chance of getting lost; all I had to do to orient myself was look for the centerpiece of the … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, historical reference, patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Iron Horse?

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Dave Fisher

It’s been a long time since I followed new products and gadgets in the non-traditional tool world, which is fine with me.   Today there was an email from Woodcraft in my inbox announcing a special on a new product, something … Continue reading →

Posted in holding, tools, Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Dark Horse

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Dave Fisher

I carved this ale bowl from some more of the red alder I mentioned in my last post.  Then I tried something new for me: I painted (ebonized I suppose) the outside  with waterproof black India ink.  I like how … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bowls, green woodworking, paint, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Around the Shop

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Dave Fisher

A look around the shop this morning, beginning with sections of a big walnut log I busted up which should become walnut bowls before too long.  And a requested set of cherry shrink boxes in the rough, drying: My dogwood froe club … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bowls, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged | 10 Comments

Going with the Flow

Posted on August 27, 2016 by Dave Fisher

Back in June, I wrote a post about splitting a large maple crook.  Here it is again, sitting on a rock in the Little Shenango River.  The arch from head through tail follows the grain of the crook, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, finding wood, green woodworking, nature, photography, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

This may not Work

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Dave Fisher

The title of this post may have crossed the mind of John Damian in 1507 as he was about to jump from the walls of Scotland’s Sterling Castle fitted with wings made of chicken feathers.  I’m thinking the same thing … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bowls, carving, tools, trees, Uncategorized | 6 Comments