Category Archives: Uncategorized

Measuring Up

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Dave Fisher

Other than the bottom, I normally don’t measure the thickness of bowls. I just feel with my hands until it’s “about right.” Understandably, beginners have good questions about how thick the sidewalls, endwalls, and bottom should be, so that they … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The Spoon, the Bowl and the Knife

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Dave Fisher

I can’t carve a spoon without thinking of Wille Sundqvist. His 1990 book, Swedish Carving Techniques, opened up a whole new world of carving possibilities to me. From cover to cover, I soaked it in. Bowl carving, sharpening, spoon carving … Continue reading →

Posted in publications, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Spring Birds

Posted on April 19, 2021 by Dave Fisher

Suddenly the sun is there on the horizon and the wait is over. Every bird in every tree begins to sing. The earlier chorus was only a preliminary. This is the main event. The birds sing as though it were … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, finding wood, nature, publications, quotes and excerpts, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Another Bowl Beginning

Posted on April 6, 2021 by Dave Fisher

Why does this never get old? As I was roughing out this big cherry bowl, I thought about how I’ve gone through this process so many times over the years, and yet it remains completely engaging, even thrilling. I suppose … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, cherry, green woodworking, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Spoons with Beaks

Posted on March 27, 2021 by Dave Fisher

This year, the arrival of spring weather seems perfectly synchronized with the calendar. I’ve got lots of projects to do, but with the sun is shining and that mourning dove calling to its mate from the maple tree, I get … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, carving, finding wood, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Elia’s Class Complete

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Dave Fisher

Last Saturday, Elia Bizzarri and I finished up our live online bowl carving class with the third session, resulting in over 9 hours of bowl carving instruction. The sessions follow the process, step-by-step from a half log. My resulting sample … Continue reading →

Posted in classes, finding wood, teaching, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Gouge Versatility

Posted on March 14, 2021 by Dave Fisher

Early one April morning when we were twelve, my buddy, Scott, and I met on the bank of the Little Shenango River, excited to use our shiny new spinners on the first day of trout season. Our reels were full … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, holding, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Gouge Article and Thumbnail Cuts

Posted on February 27, 2021 by Dave Fisher

In the current issue of Fine Woodworking Magazine, #288 Mar/Apr 2021, is an article in which I suggest seven or eight gouges that form a solid kit for greenwood carving. One of them is a #8 10mm gouge that can … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, patterns, tools, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Check for Checks

Posted on February 23, 2021 by Dave Fisher

You know how when you carve a big deep cherry bowl then set it aside to dry after the green carving stage, and you’re really happy with it, and the next day there’s a crack? Yeah, I hate when that … Continue reading →

Posted in cherry, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 20 Comments

Online Bowl Class with Elia Bizzarri and Me

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Dave Fisher

The first time I saw Elia Bizzarri was on an episode of Roy Underhill’s The Woodwright’s Shop. Elia learned chairmaking from some of the finest craftsmen out there, including Dave Sawyer and Curtis Buchanan, and he makes beautiful, enduring chairs. … Continue reading →

Posted in classes, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 7 Comments