Category Archives: holding

Tree Branch Holdfasts

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Dave Fisher

As I’ve mentioned  before, I use holdfasts a lot.  A few weeks ago, I started wondering about the possibility of wooden holdfasts, and I think I will experiment more with making some from two pieces of wood joined with a … Continue reading →

Posted in green woodworking, holding, tools, Uncategorized, video | Tagged | 16 Comments

Your Daily Bowl

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Dave Fisher

I’m a cereal lover and, although I’ve had to switch from Boo-Berry to Shredded Wheat over the years, I still eat cereal every day — from a wooden bowl.  Cereal or not, it makes for quiet eating, and the wood … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, cherry, holding, layout, patterns, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 17 Comments

Hold It!

Posted on May 13, 2017 by Dave Fisher

I snapped this photo while carving on this cherry bowl recently.  I’ve used holdfasts for a long while now, but I still marvel at their nimbleness and versatility.  With a scrap of rubber belting under the bottom and a couple … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, cherry, holding, patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Framed

Posted on May 4, 2017 by Dave Fisher

I recently had the opportunity to play a part in a very special occasion, the celebration of fifty years of marriage.  The family had decided to honor the occasion with a lovely painting of the family tree by one of the … Continue reading →

Posted in holding, layout, Lettering, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 19 Comments

Winter Window

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Dave Fisher

I like working in front of this window.  The directional light creates shadows that honestly reveal form and surface.  I have a small high bench there, too high for heavy work, but perfect for finer bits like cleaning up the … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, events, holding, nature, patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Not All Those Who Wander…

Posted on February 12, 2017 by Dave Fisher

All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. — J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring “Let’s see … Continue reading →

Posted in cherry, holding, Lettering, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

Spokeshaves and Stumps

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Dave Fisher

Since I listed a spokeshave on my tools-to-bring list for the Greenwood Fest class, I’ve received a couple questions about choosing and using one. A spokeshave is a handy tool for bowlcarving. It excels at fairing a curved surface, and it’s easy … Continue reading →

Posted in holding, sketch, teaching, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Lowrider

Posted on January 22, 2017 by Dave Fisher

I get a fair amount of questions about my bowl horse, but this low bench has been at the center of my workshop even longer.  I built it thirteen years ago, thinking something like this could serve as a multi-purpose … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, holding, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 10 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

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