Category Archives: holding

Iron Horse?

It’s been a long time since I followed new products and gadgets in the non-traditional tool world, which is fine with me.   Today there was an email from Woodcraft in my inbox announcing a special on a new product, something … Continue reading

Posted in holding, tools, Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Behind the Mask

Last week, I found myself in a house with this intriguing wooden mask on display.  It was about 17 inches high, 9 inches wide, and 7 1/2 inches deep.  I know very little about African masks, but to my untrained … Continue reading

Posted in adze, finding wood, green woodworking, historical reference, holding, sketch, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly

I recently completed this commission for the congregation of a California church.  They wished to honor their minister’s ten years of leadership with a bowl featuring their church motto, Micah 6:8.  It is a beautiful verse.  I was happy to play a … Continue reading

Posted in bowls, holding, Lettering, quotes and excerpts, sketch, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Almost Ready for Ale

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Posted in bird bowls, bowls, carving, cherry, historical reference, holding, layout, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Adaptable Shaving Horse

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

On Flutes and Aging

I don’t know much about cheese or scotch, but I’ve heard they can improve if you just let them sit around awhile.  The same might be said for wood sometimes.  This maple bowl underway is from a log that hung around in … Continue reading

Posted in green woodworking, holding, layout, patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Overlooked Hooks and Crooks

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

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

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

Tapered Reamers

  A couple people have asked me recently about what I use to make the tapered mortises on things like this low bench (above).  I have used this joint many times, for everything from sawhorses to tables.  I love its … Continue reading

Posted in green woodworking, holding, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 12 Comments