Category Archives: adze

Patience

Posted on November 6, 2020 by

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 | 14 Comments

Adze Article

Posted on October 2, 2020 by

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

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

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

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

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Posted in adze, axe, green woodworking, historical reference, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 11 Comments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

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

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

Cold November Rain

Posted on November 19, 2016 by

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

Behind the Mask

Posted on July 11, 2016 by

Last week, I found myself in a house with this intriguing wooden mask on display.  It was about 17 inches high, 9 inches wide, and 7 1/2 inches deep.  I know very little about African masks, but to my untrained … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, finding wood, green woodworking, historical reference, holding, sketch, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , | 3 Comments