Category Archives: carving

White Oak Bowl — Hollowing with an Adze

Posted on August 1, 2015 by Dave Fisher

When I have demonstrated at festivals, I have noticed several different types of reactions and comments among observers.  By far, the most common reaction is sincere interest and curiosity that elicits good questions from open minds and enjoyable conversation. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, bowls, carving, holding, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

The Apple of His Eye

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Near the end of March 1845, I borrowed an axe and went down to the woods by Walden Pond nearest to where I intended to build my house…. The owner of the axe, as he released his hold on it, … Continue reading →

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

Oh, It’s Drying Time Again…

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Hewing a bowl with an axe and an adze certainly qualifies for what David Pye called “the workmanship of risk.”  The risk doesn’t end when the axe is laid down.  Anyone who is going to carve many bowls is sure to have some … Continue reading →

Posted in cartoons, carving, drying, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 15 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

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

What’s a saz?

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Dave Fisher

That was my first thought when I was asked recently to make one; well, the bowl part of one.  Turns out that a saz is a long necked Turkish lute (I found the photo of the one above — I had … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, carving, tools, Uncategorized, video, walnut | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Prepare to Pare

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Dave Fisher

I was paring the interior of a cherry bowl recently.  Whenever I perform this operation, I hold the gouge in an unorthodox carving grip, reminiscent of a scene from Psycho or Julius Caesar. This allows me to register my thumb against … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, cherry, holding, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Sand Bags

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Sand bags are usually called upon in times of life-and-death seriousness; like for parapets and levees.  I have one in my shop that serves a less intense purpose.  The last few evenings, I have been carving and refining a walnut … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, carving, holding, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Mellowing

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Dave Fisher

As we make our official transition into another calendar year, maybe it is an appropriate time to think about mellowing.  It is reassuring to know that many things in life sweeten and become more beautiful with time.  Wood can be … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, cherry | Tagged , | 9 Comments