Category Archives: ale bowls

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Posted in ale bowls, bowls, historical reference, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

Aspen/Poplar/Popple Ale Bowl

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Dave Fisher

I’m settling back in after teaching a bowl carving class (not ale bowls) in the Plymouth, Mass. area with Plymouth CRAFT.  More about that great experience in another post before long. Meanwhile, one of the tasks on my list today is … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bowls, paint, patterns, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Ale Bowls

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Dave Fisher

  Today, most people limit their drinking from bowls to the sipping of cereal milk, but there is a long tradition of drinking from bowls.  Ale bowls are a rich part of that tradition. I have done a little research … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bowls, green woodworking, historical reference, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 24 Comments