Kuksa.

[Gill]

I wanted another Kuksa a bit bigger than the one i have been using for the past few years ,I cut this birch on sunday and roughed it out in the wood ,Not nearly finished i will let it dry out in a plastic bag i think this is what u do?I will put some pics up when all the fine carving and sanding is done ,i intend to put Reindeer antler in the rebated bit on the handle(Thank you Biker)Hopefully it wont split .

 

[Totumpole]

that is looking good! Nice one.

 

[stekker]

Swedish people often prevent wood splitting by cooking it in salt water.
Nice kuksa BTW.

Gr. Theo.

 

[Gill]

Swedish people often prevent wood splitting by cooking it in salt water.
Nice kuksa BTW.

Gr. Theo.

I gave it a boil for around half an hour in sea salt water .

 

[Bundleman]

If it's in a plastic bag keep an eye on it in case it goes mouldy. Although this can sometimes add some nice spalting if caught right.
Look forward to the finished photos.

 

[brancho]

The boiling in salt water is a modern thing AFAIK to seaon wood rapidly for commercial purposes.
It looks a bit thick to and thats what may lead to it splitting. I would suggest keeping it in a paper bag to allow it breath a little it will not dry in a plastic bag just sweat and go mouldy.

 

[Gill]

The boiling in salt water is a modern thing AFAIK to seaon wood rapidly for commercial purposes.
It looks a bit thick to and thats what may lead to it splitting. I would suggest keeping it in a paper bag to allow it breath a little it will not dry in a plastic bag just sweat and go mouldy.

Yes it is still thick i thought it was better to leave it a bit thicker until dry ?I could be wrong though .

 

[Bundleman]

In that middle photo it looks like the heart of the tree runs through the handle. If so it will definitely split somewhere.
I would work it as much as you can while green, it's a lot easier and will dry much quicker when you're done.

 

[AndyJDickson]

very very nice. i like it

 

[Gill]

In that middle photo it looks like the heart of the tree runs through the handle. If so it will definitely split somewhere.
I would work it as much as you can while green, it's a lot easier and will dry much quicker when you're done.

where should the heart run through?

 

[Bundleman]

where should the heart run through?

As wood shrinks mostly around it's circumference it's best to avoid the heart completely. The first few years growth can be different to the rest of the tree too, so if your wood comes from near the base of the tree it's best to chop a bit more off from the middle. Always split a log in half to start with...

 

[Barn Owl]

very nice, looks a fair size.

 

[Stanleythecat]

Did you make the drawknife?

Leo

 

[Gill]

I did Leo i made it a wee while back,it works great.