Carving a Kuksa

[Big Bad Stu]

Hello folks,

I am thinking of carving a kuksa out of some lime wood I have seasoned. Has anyone got pictures or ideas about shapes, I already have a Finnish Kuksa which I bought on a trip to Finland in winter 2005. I want the one I carve to be used rather than just an ornament.

I look forward to your responses.

Stewey.

 

[Wookey]

Hi Stu, welcome, just typed Kuksa into the search there are quite a few pics there. Never tried carving one myself but should have a go.
Post some pics when your done, be interested to see.

 

[Toots]

This (pic) is one I made a few months ago from a piece of birch. I liked the idea and look of a traditional kuksa (more ladel shaped than cup shaped), but with a slightly more user friendly handle. Does make it difficult to put down on a flat surface without it rolling over and spilling its contents though!! Should have thought of that I guess.

 

[leon-b]

This (pic) is one I made a few months ago from a piece of birch. I liked the idea and look of a traditional kuksa (more ladel shaped than cup shaped), but with a slightly more user friendly handle. Does make it difficult to put down on a flat surface without it rolling over and spilling its contents though!! Should have thought of that I guess.

thats a lovely kuksa you carved there, did you burn out the bowl with an ember or use a crook knife
leon

 

[Pignut]

Hello folks,

I am thinking of carving a kuksa out of some lime wood I have seasoned. Has anyone got pictures or ideas about shapes, I already have a Finnish Kuksa which I bought on a trip to Finland in winter 2005. I want the one I carve to be used rather than just an ornament.

I look forward to your responses.

Stewey.

Here is the one I carved, wish I had used a different hadle shape though, more like the one above

Hope this helps

 

[Millbilly]

This is something ve been wanting to do lately, too.

Some lovely examples there guys, any tips for us?

 

[Toots]

Just try it and see how it turns out. It's all a learning experience whatever happens.
If using a section of branch or trunk (rather than a burl) then try to get a bit of sufficient diameter to start with that you can avoid the heart wood, as it is more likely to split as the project dries. There are plenty of tips on here regarding treating the wood to minimise the likelihood of that happening.
Above all enjoy the process of coaxing a piece of art from a lump of wood, and don't rush. Oh, and keep a FAK handy just in case!!

 

[Pignut]

Don't go to thin on the bowl to start with!

You can always take some wood off afterwards! (You can't put it back on)

Oh and have Fun!

 

[Wettstuff]

Big bad stu, sorry nothing to add except good luck and make sure you show us the finished job.

Toots, have you thought about carving a cradle for it? like a coaster but with sides a sort of small, shallow bowl? admitadley(sp) its something else to carry but would stop it from rilling over

Mark

 

[wanderinstar]

Toots, that looks brill. Did you get inspiration from that bloke [ cant remember his name] at Broughton. He had a couple of lovely ones [ Kuksa's]
How did you carve the bowl out?
Ian.

 

[Tor helge]

This is a kuksa I made in 1997. I still use it. It`s made of birch. No fancy ornamentation, just a plain user.
Used an axe and a saw for the first shaping. Then it was time for the knife and spoon knife. Sanded it and treated it with cooking oil (soy oil ?).

Sorry. I didn`t have a better picture of it.

Tor

 

[Big Bad Stu]

Hi,

Just a quick note to say thanks for all the posts, I like the last one pictured, just a user, that is what I want.

The project is taking longer than I thought, the lime is very hard and is taking some carving even with a knife and axe like razors.

I will post my progress periodically.

As for now the kuksa is nearly fully blanked out.

Stewey.