Sunday, 8 December 2013

SPOON # 48 - Saturday 7th December

After last week's disasters I have to say I am quite pleased with this week's spoon. It's another laurel spoon, which means I was kind of restricted size-wise, as it is only a relatively thin branch that I have been using. Again, it has some rather nice tortoise-shell like patterning to the wood, which will deepen with age. It's an eating spoon, size-wise. I have fallen into the habit of carving a really smooth finish, and sanding a little, on the inside of the bowl and leaving it tooled on the outside.


As you can see, the handle profile is very curvaceous - wasn't sure at first if it would work
or be a little over the top. I think it's okay.

I used my crook knife again on the underside of the handle to make concave cuts along the side of the keel,
making it feel a little slimmer.

 
I really like the honey tones of this wood. I'll certainly keep my eyes open for laurel again. As it happens, I have enough left for one more little spoon, then I am all out of wood. I'll have to put out some feelers for something to see me through to New Year.
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6 comments:

  1. Eric Goodson13 December 2013 at 05:50

    Hi Richard,
    Thanks for sharing your work. I have been following it for a few months now, admiring your progress. Can you tell me, what type of axe is shown in the above shots? I am looking for one slightly lighter than my Gransfors carving axe.

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    Replies
    1. Richard13 December 2013 at 15:30

      Hi Eric, thank you for following and for commenting. The axe is a real beauty. It is hand forged in Wales by a talented blacksmith called Nic Westerman. You can find him on the net, or read about it on my other blog here:
      http://holtheathwoodentreen.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/new-axe-and-some-carving.html?m=1
      He will make you an axe to your own requirements and it comes razor sharp with or without a handle. Mine cost about £120 - well worth the money. If you want his details please let me know. Thanks

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  2. Eric Goodson14 December 2013 at 03:12

    That explains it. That is one beautiful axe. I follow Robin's blog as well, where he has shown off a lot of Nick Westerman's work. Thanks for the information.
    Thanks so much for posting your progress on the spoons. I don't think I get around to carving a spoon a week myself, so congratulations on making the time!
    To return the favor, here is a link to my own blog. I started carving spoons and turning bowls a year ago, and found that I needed to keep better track of my work so that I could learn from my mistakes and gain inspiration from others. So, the blog is more a notebook for me, and is not really designed for an audience beyond my friends and family, but you may find it interesting.
    Thanks again,
    Eric
    http://ericgoodson.blogspot.com/


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  3. Richard14 December 2013 at 05:00

    Hi Eric - no problem, its a pleasure to share and always a buzz to think od people on the other side of the world with the same interests.

    Thanks for the link to your blog, but I've been following it for a while now - I particularly like your lathe made from reclaimed timbers. I have started my own pole lathe several times now, but never actually finished one. Maybe in 2014?

    Have a great Christmas.
    Richard

    ReplyDelete
  4. Eric Goodson15 December 2013 at 03:50

    Hi Richard,
    Ok, you just blew my mind. I had no idea anyone was looking at my blog but me, and occasionally my wife. The internet makes this quite a small world.
    The lathe has been a lot of fun, and only took a few days to bang together. Not as elegant as many, but it gets the job done (and does not rock or creep as lighter models might). Next summer I want to build a bowl horse like David Fisher's.
    Cheers, and keep up the great work.
    E

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  5. Richard15 December 2013 at 12:28

    I look forward to reading about it - and if you end up producing anything anywhere near as beautiful as one of David's bowls I'll be very impressed.

    ReplyDelete

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