Making my first ever Kuksa

[GGTBod]

I've been wanting to make one of these for a while, i got myself a nice big slab of African Iroko a while back and now is the time, i've never made one of these before or seen how they are made i am just winging it, i decided to hollow out the bowl before cutting it off the slab and carving the shape so i'd have more areas to hold onto when the gouging out gets trickier, any tips or advice will be most welcome

I'll load up more pictures as i progress, i've had to stop for today as my hands are sore from carving a new spoon from a piece of Zebrano, i'll load up the pics of that when it's finished

 

[crosslandkelly]

Looking forward to seeing the pics.

 

[GGTBod]

made a bit more progress, my hands are properly aching now though so i am definitely taking a few hours off

 

[GGTBod]

Getting deep now i'm about half an inch from my desired depth

the depth is making the angle of the gouges harder to use without ripping up chunks, anyone got any tips or direct advice?

 

[Ruud]

I can't see the pics mate, I just see a box with a question-mark.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Just go with the spoon knife now.

 

[Hammock Hamster]

Getting deep now i'm about half an inch from my desired depth

the depth is making the angle of the gouges harder to use without ripping up chunks, anyone got any tips or direct advice?

Getting deeper without a specialist gouge or some form of spoon knife can be tricky unless you want to painstakingly start sanding it to increase the depth.

Spoon knife would be my vote, if you don't have one you may be able to modify a cheap knife by heating and bending it. It wont be pretty and will likely need frequent stropping or sharpening as the temper will have been ruined but should work at a pinch.

 

[GGTBod]

I've got 3 different spoon knives i've been having a little go with them but i was struggling, probably a lot to do with my hands feel totally raw as i've been carving since 4am, my city slicker hands are slowly toughening up, i'll give the crook knives another shot once i've let my hands recover, thanks for the tips.

What type of specialist gouge? I've been using a number 5 sweep straight gouge with an outside bevel to get as far as i have so far, I've got a couple with curved necks and a number 5 sweep on the end with an outside bevel, is that the type of job these are for?

 

[GGTBod]

Sorry you can't see the pics Ruud i've done them the same way i always do, can't understand why they are not showing for you

 

[roger-uk]

Not showing for me either

 

[GGTBod]

Bizarre wonder what is causing that, it might be the website i am loading them too, i'll load them elsewhere and link them again see if that helps, give me a minute

 

[GGTBod]

all pics from first post to last so far

Hopefully these are visible to all

 

[Ruud]

I can see all pictures now, good job so far GGTBod!

 

[GGTBod]

Must have been a glitch in the matrix, thanks i'm quite happy with my progress so far for a first attempt

 

[vestlenning]

When I made my first "trekopp" I hollowed it first too, a lot easier imo. Yours is coming along nicely, keep up the good work!

 

[Goatboy]

Looks like it's coming on a treat Bod, must be hard going. Did a wee bit of reading on the wood and it sounds like you may get a haunted cup...

"Iroko is a large hardwood tree from the west coast of tropical Africa. It is one of the woods sometimes referred to as African Teak, although it is unrelated to the teak family. The wood colour is initially yellow but darkens to a richer brown over time. It is yielded mostly (probably) by Milicia excelsa. In much of the literature on this timber the names of the trees that yields it are given as Chlorophora excelsa and Chlorophora regia. The tree is feared in some cultures where it originates and hence is shunned or revered with offerings. Yoruba people believe that the tree is inhabited by a spirit, and anybody who sees the Iroko-man face to face becomes insane and speedily dies. According to the Yoruba, any man who cuts down any Iroko tree causes devastating misfortune on himself and all of his family. They also claim that the spirit of the Iroko can be heard in houses which use Iroko wood, as the spirit of the Iroko is trapped in the wood. In Nigeria similar claims are made about other trees."

You'll have to sacrifice a bottle of dog to appease the spirits Keep us informed on your progress as it looks really good as it's coming along.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Looks like it's coming on a treat Bod, must be hard going. Did a wee bit of reading on the wood and it sounds like you may get a haunted cup...

"Iroko is a large hardwood tree from the west coast of tropical Africa. It is one of the woods sometimes referred to as African Teak, although it is unrelated to the teak family. The wood colour is initially yellow but darkens to a richer brown over time. It is yielded mostly (probably) by Milicia excelsa. In much of the literature on this timber the names of the trees that yields it are given as Chlorophora excelsa and Chlorophora regia. The tree is feared in some cultures where it originates and hence is shunned or revered with offerings. Yoruba people believe that the tree is inhabited by a spirit, and anybody who sees the Iroko-man face to face becomes insane and speedily dies. According to the Yoruba, any man who cuts down any Iroko tree causes devastating misfortune on himself and all of his family. They also claim that the spirit of the Iroko can be heard in houses which use Iroko wood, as the spirit of the Iroko is trapped in the wood. In Nigeria similar claims are made about other trees."

You'll have to sacrifice a bottle of dog to appease the spirits Keep us informed on your progress as it looks really good as it's coming along.

That's a great plan, drown the spirit with spirits.

 

[GGTBod]

Cool folklore i'll be sure to cleanse the spirits appropriately, looking forward to seeing it finished and oiled, sadly that won't be today my paws are raw

 

[forginhill]

Looking real good! Can't wait to see it finished.

 

[GGTBod]

me too, wish my hands had stopped throbbing already so i could work on it further