Author Archives: Dave Fisher

Measuring Beauty?

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Dave Fisher

 The question of measuring beauty — that is objective assessment beyond “Very nice,” “Exquisite,” “This appeals to me” — has troubled scholars and other laymen at least from the time of the Greeks.  And, beginning with the Greek philosophers, there … Continue reading →

Posted in layout, proportions, Uncategorized, video, walnut | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Beyond Words

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Dave Fisher

When I was beginning to make things out of green wood, I purchased a couple VHS tapes from Country Workshops.  One, filmed in the Swiss mountains, follows Ruedi Kohler as his skillful hands make a coopered bucket.  The other takes the viewer … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Folkstreams

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Dave Fisher

A visit to the Folkstreams website can provide a person with some healthy perspective.  It is a rich collection of films of varying length on a wide spectrum of traditions, including handcrafts.  There’s much more to see, but to begin … Continue reading →

Posted in books, video | Tagged | 3 Comments

A Windfall Goose

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Dave Fisher

I found this stylized goose bowl in the curve of a wind-fallen cherry tree.  Usually, we think of “finding” spoons in the crooks of tree branches, but I occasionally find bowls as well. Grain flowing through the form allows for lightness, … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, books, finding wood, layout, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Contentment

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Two old men, radiating contentment… Their trade seemed to have been a refuge for them. Perhaps their serenity came from making things that gave pleasure to others.  Or making things they knew would outlast them, give them a little power … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, quotes and excerpts, sketch | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Books

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Dave Fisher

I have received some emails lately asking for book recommendations, both for bowl/spoon carving and for the decorative carving that I do on some bowls.  Bear with me, and I’ll get around to some recommendations regarding bowl carving as well … Continue reading →

Posted in books, carving, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 4 Comments

The Axe: Your Personal Instrument

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Dave Fisher

In the days when the forests were falling the axe was a personal instrument, a man took pride in its temper and keenness.  Men would say, “That fellow Anderson,–he’s got a wonderful axe.” And somebody else would agree, “Yeah, I … Continue reading →

Posted in axe, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Basking in the Sunshine

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Dave Fisher

The plus side of the cold temperatures lately has been beautiful clear sunny skies.  I propped up this cherry bowl in the window to bask in the sunshine and help along the curing of the flax oil.  I do this … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, cherry, holding, layout, patterns, tools, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Hollowing with an Adze

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Following up on my last post about adze design, I wanted to share a series of photos that show the procedure for my adze work.  At the stage of the first photo (above), I’ve hewn and hand planed the upper and … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, bowls, holding, layout, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Do You have an Outie or an Innie?

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Dave Fisher

I have some general information on tool selection at my website, but I’d like to focus more specifically on the adze in this post.  It is probably the single most expensive tool used for this work, so it pays to choose … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, tools | Tagged , , , | 55 Comments