Category Archives: carving

Chip Carving for Warlike Men and School Girls

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Dave Fisher

It is difficult to conceive the contradictory fact that this apparently simple form of art [chip carving] was once the exponent of a struggling desire for refinement on the part of fierce and warlike men, and that it should, under … Continue reading →

Posted in books, carving, historical reference, patterns, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Almost Ready for Ale

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Dave Fisher

I finished carving a couple personal-size ale bowls over the weekend.  These are the two I mentioned having roughed out in my recent post about ale bowls.  I haven’t oiled them yet, but I thought I’d share some photos of … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, carving, cherry, historical reference, holding, layout, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Gouge Choice

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Dave Fisher

Nearly all of my work is left from the sharp edge of a paring gouge.  I discussed the process and tools in some detail in this post last year — and this one. Lately, I’ve received a few questions asking … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, sketch, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 36 Comments

Adaptable Shaving Horse

Posted on February 27, 2016 by Dave Fisher

I was rooting around in the basement last weekend, and came upon a blast from the past: an attachment for my English-style shaving horse.  It was the beginning of the idea that ultimately resulted in my bowl horse.  Since writing the … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, holding, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 18 Comments

The Magic of a Shrink Box

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Dave Fisher

There may be no project in green woodworking as magical as the making of a shrink box.  The magic happens slowly, but you still want to find somebody to ask, “Did you see that?!”  Maybe that’s why I can’t resist … Continue reading →

Posted in books, carving, green woodworking, patterns, shrink box, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 30 Comments

Carving Round Bowls can be Super

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Dave Fisher

If you’re going to make round bowls, why not use a lathe?  Well, because I’m chicken.  There’s something about a twenty pound chunk of wood spinning around at five hundred rpm that makes me not want to poke it with … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, layout, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments

Proof of the Workmanship of Risk

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Dave Fisher

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day and it put me in the mood to do a little early Spring cleaning in the shop.  Scattered around were these reminders of the “workmanship of risk.”  That was, of course, the phrase coined … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, drying, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

Overlooked Hooks and Crooks

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Here’s to the overlooked.  Like the next guy, I appreciate the smooth curves of a well-made hook knife or the rich brown tones of a piece of walnut.  But last week I devoted some attention to a hook and tree that often go unnoticed. It … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, carving, finding wood, green woodworking, holding, tools, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 10 Comments

The Carving Fountain of Youth

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Dave Fisher

By now, most of you have probably watched the video featuring Bengt Lidström, renowned Swedish architect and bowl carver.  Recently, I contacted Drew Langsner in an effort to learn more about Bengt.  He informed me of an extensive article about … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, green woodworking, historical reference, holding, paint, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

Side Panel Carving

Posted on November 28, 2015 by Dave Fisher

A few months ago, I wrote a post about laying out the side panels on this red maple bowl.  Since then, the bowl dried and I carved over the surfaces again with paring cuts.  By the way, calling this “soft … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, holding, paint, patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 9 Comments