Category Archives: historical reference

Yup’ik Bentwood Bowls

Posted on April 20, 2019 by Dave Fisher

Among the many traditions of bowl carving is the Yup’ik method of bending a separate length of wood that attaches to the hollowed base and serves as a higher rim.  The interaction between material, hands, eyes — and teeth — … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, historical reference, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 17 Comments

Let Follansbee be Your Guide

Posted on March 20, 2019 by Dave Fisher

About a decade ago, my mind was blown by the boxes and furniture that Peter Follansbee was talking about on his blog.  There he was splitting up oak logs into boards and joining them together.  Well, how do you not … Continue reading →

Posted in books, carving, green woodworking, historical reference, publications, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Beaver Connections

Posted on March 10, 2019 by Dave Fisher

Since sharing some photos of beaver activity in a blog post a couple weeks ago I’ve made a few more beaver connections.  One goes way back to Aesop. If, like me, you weren’t familiar with that unsettling story, this should … Continue reading →

Posted in finding wood, green woodworking, historical reference, nature, spoons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Transferred Touch

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Dave Fisher

Things men have made with wakened hands are awake through years with transferred touch, and go on glowing for long years. And for this reason, some old things are lovely warm still with the life of forgotten men who made … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, finding wood, historical reference, patterns, proportions, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 31 Comments

Look What Arrived From Brittany

Posted on February 3, 2018 by Dave Fisher

Yesterday, a package arrived from Jane Mickelborough.  After having the pleasure of getting to know Jane at Greenwood Fest 2017, I requested a porte-cuillères, a traditional Breton spoon rack that is meant to hang over the table.  It incorporates a … Continue reading →

Posted in historical reference, spoons, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Carving like Caron

Posted on July 19, 2017 by Dave Fisher

I often listen to audio books while carving in the shop, and I recently finished Irving Stone’s 1934 book Lust for Life, a biographical novel about the life and work of Vincent van Gogh.  Early on, as learning exercises, Vincent … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, figure, historical reference, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Tradition and Jane Mickelborough

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Dave Fisher

We dwell with satisfaction upon the poet’s difference from his predecessors….Whereas if we approach a poet without this prejudice we shall often find that not only the best, but the most individual parts of his work may be those in … Continue reading →

Posted in classes, historical reference, quotes and excerpts, spoons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

The Ongoing Journey of Drew and Louise Langsner

Posted on March 5, 2017 by Dave Fisher

There was a time when I didn’t know an adze from a hoe in the ground, then I found Drew Langsner.  Here was a guy who could make anything from a tree, and explain the process in writing so that even … Continue reading →

Posted in books, green woodworking, historical reference, quotes and excerpts, tools, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Workhorses

Posted on February 4, 2017 by Dave Fisher

I’ve carved several of these horse-head ale bowls now, and each one seems to end up with it’s own personality.  Much of that, thankfully, happens in spite of me.  Each log is different, imparting it’s character on the finished piece.  … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bowls, cherry, historical reference, patterns, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Der Mollenhauer

Posted on January 22, 2017 by Dave Fisher

I should have paid more attention in my high school German classes.  I do remember singing a song in German about a three-cornered hat or something — and I can still count.  It would be nice to sit and watch … Continue reading →

Posted in axe, bowls, finding wood, historical reference, tools, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , | 26 Comments