Ahhh..!. the intermediary layout lines allow you to hollow out those "rows" 5:01 with less variance to the shape that you're searching for with the tool. I always end up chasing symmetry by eye and the final line, not thinking to work to a intermediary layouts line as I progress, instead of getting a weirder and weirder shape and balance that I eventually end up blowing out on spoons and leaving it too thick in the few bowls I've tried with just the small gouge that I have. God bless you and all the others who share their knowledge in person, in print, and digitally, as we're seeing the transmission shift from local/familial heritage, to print, to video. I've got a heap of Mother-in-Law cherry that I'm slowly working my way through and you just gave me another great piece of the puzzle! Now to convince my budget committee to invest in an adze.....
Channel subscribed :-) Interesting content... Last time I have seen adze demo, it was some trekking related exhibition in Finland about 15 years ago. They were carving a canoe from aspen...
Three Red Trees In the video, I am using an adze made by Hans Karlsson. I discuss adzes at greater length at my website and blog -- davidffisher (.com) and davidffisherblog.wordpress (.com)
Thank you, I learned so much! Gleaning info and wisdom before I begin my first bowl. So excited for that day! Your wisdom is much appreciated. Beautiful!! How much time did this section take you? Kimmie Mama to 8 One homemade and 7 adopted
Very Impressive. Just become a subscriber. Thought I would try my hand at bowl making. Trying to decide between power carving or hand carving. Where would I buy an adze such as yours?
Love the videos, my dream is to be a woodworker and it is so encouraging to see exquisite work and most importantly the quality work you do! Loved the article in FWW (10/17)! What kind of tape measure was it, love the folding compact style!
Thanks. That is a Stanley two-foot folding rule (four six-inch sections). Boxwood with brass binding. You can find them on ebay and such pretty regularly. I really like mine.
David, great video! Just bought my first adze, also a Karlsson. I was curious about the risk of swinging the adze in line with your thigh. We're always taught not to cut towards a body part. Of course, if your throwing the adze down towards the wood, the risk is lower, but do you have concerns that the cut will be shallow and the tool with glide along the wood and end up too close to a big artery in your leg? Is wearing a heavy leather apron advised? Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills!
I understand what you mean. In practice, I have never felt like there is a chance of that happening, based on the way the swinging motion feels. However, it probably is a good idea to take some precautions. One solution is to secure the blank to the bench and keep your legs off to the side. Your idea of a long and heavy apron would help too. For extra assurance, a pair of chainsaw chaps could be worn while adzing.
I appreciate your interest in the other video. Unfortunately, I had technical misstep and it's no longer available. I did write a blog post about the design/layout of that bowl: davidffisher.com/2015/07/30/white-oak-bowl-layout/ And I have many other posts about bowl design and layout.
Excellent video! I have been reading your site for quite a while and waiting for my Adze to show up from Bine and my Jason Lanon carving axe should be here in a couple days. Would love to build a low bench like the one you have. Any recommendations for sizing and wood to use. I will be using in my house in the unplugged workshop. Great videos and subscribed etc.
Best wishes as you put your new tools to work! I wrote a blog post about building the low bench that includes the dimensions: davidffisherblog.wordpress.com/2017/01/22/lowrider/
I've definitely been influence by Scandinavian traditions. More specifically, with the bark-up orientation, by the work of late Swedish bowl carver Bengt Lidstrom. davidffisherblog.wordpress.com/2015/12/06/the-carving-fountain-of-youth/
+Bill Ribble For those different colors, I used watercolor colored pencils. You can find them at art and craft stores. They work well for marking green wood.
The quality of the log is as important as the species. Look for a fresh green log that is knot free and with little/no twist to the grain. The species depends on where you live. In general, a soft to medium density hardwood is ideal. Birch, tulip poplar, aspen, cherry, soft maples, etc. Whatever comes your way. Each tree within one species can have a very different character as well. I've had cherry that carves like a dream, and other that has interlocked grain with a brash texture. Part of the adventure.
Thank you for your response...I won't be making the large bowls your making...to start anyway. What size it recommended for smaller bowls or will the 60mm work for smaller? Thanks.
Phil, I have the slightly smaller 5cm/600g HK adze David suggested & it sounds ideal for you. It is an excellent tool. It is not ideal for very big bowls/tough woods but, despite that, I have made some very large bowls with it, including a large bowl of (green/wet) English oak. My interest was always mainly in larger bowls so, in hindsight, I should have probably got the same 700g HK adze that Dave uses or possibly the even bigger & heavier single-hand Gransfor Bruk adze. Last year I bought a second adze, a big 2 handed 7.5cm width adze from Narex for bigger bowls & tougher woods -- it is a great complement to my 600g adze and I typically use both on each bowl. But I would recommend that you try to get one adze that will suit what you mainly do or expect to do - they are quite versatile. BTW When I started out, I asked Robin Wood about the difference between the 600g HK & 700g HK adze, he reckoned the difference between them was hardly noticeable, it terms of weight/effect. One other detail, the 600g adze's blade is pretty much a semi-circle in cross-section whereas the 700g adze has flatter section in the middle. The latter being better suited to larger bowls I think.
