Category Archives: adze

Carving American Chestnut 2: A Full Hollow

Posted on June 11, 2021 by Dave Fisher

Following up on this post about carving a bowl in American chestnut, I’ll share some photos and thoughts on the hollowing process. That cross grain trench in the photo above is something I’ve discussed in more detail before. It establishes … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, bowls, carving, sketch, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Another Bowl Beginning

Posted on April 6, 2021 by Dave Fisher

Why does this never get old? As I was roughing out this big cherry bowl, I thought about how I’ve gone through this process so many times over the years, and yet it remains completely engaging, even thrilling. I suppose … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, cherry, green woodworking, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Patience

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Dave Fisher

As I was using my adze to rough out some spoons this weekend, I was reminded by a few emails that folks are still having a tough time getting their hands on a good adze. This can be seen as … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged | 15 Comments

Adze Article

Posted on October 2, 2020 by Dave Fisher

Fine Woodworking Magazine gave me a chance to write about adzes and the article is in the current issue, just out, in case you’re interested. I focused on the concepts, as I understand them based on my experience, that allow … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, tools, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

Elbow Adze

Posted on April 29, 2020 by Dave Fisher

I intended to do this over three years ago — make an elbow adze.  My intentions were so sincere that I purchased the iron from Kestrel Tool.  I even found a branch junction that would work well for the haft … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 20 Comments

Knotty Story

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Dave Fisher

This tale from my isolated workshop is actually quite tame compared to Boccaccio’s famous ones from the 14th Century told by a group of friends isolating themselves in an Italian villa; unfortunately timely circumstances. Amid the adjustments to the ever … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, bowls, layout, nature, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Fluted Walnut Bowl

Posted on October 26, 2019 by Dave Fisher

After making many bowls, I’m still thrilled by the prospect of shaping a rough chunk of log into a finished bowl.  The just-finished walnut bowl in the two photos above began with flattening the bottom and fairing the upper surface … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, axe, quotes and excerpts, tools, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

Thoreau and the Wooden Tray

Posted on May 11, 2019 by Dave Fisher

Not long ago, a friend referred me to an unabridged entry in Henry David Thoreau’s journal.  Here’s the first paragraph: October 19, 1858: Barrett’s apprentice, it seems, makes trays of black birch and of red maple, in a dark room … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, axe, green woodworking, historical reference, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Adze Adjustments

Posted on March 10, 2018 by Dave Fisher

I’ve been getting a lot of good questions from people that, unable to find a good bowl adze, wish to make the most out of a less-than-ideal adze or refurbish an antique adze head.  I’ve written about adzes in several … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, sharpening, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Getting Started

Posted on April 8, 2017 by Dave Fisher

For those interested in starting to carve bowls and spoons from green wood, the unfamiliarity and variety of the tools can be a little intimidating and confusing, especially when they see the large kits built up over many years by … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, axe, carving, green woodworking, tools, Uncategorized | 15 Comments