Spalted birch kuksa (Picture Heavy)

[Fraxinus]

B E A U T I F U L L

The matching spoon is a great touch too.
Spalted wood can be unhelpful when turning, tearout wise, I expect it is no less so when carved.
Oil wise do a search on here as it is a bit of a tricky one dependant on allergies, uses etc I think Robin Wood posted a comprehensive guide but have read where Kuksa's are boiled in sea salt brine to aid drying then "treated" with coffee and schnapps and oiled on the outside only.
Rob.

 

[quietone]

Here's a link to some images of the start of the carve. Plus a crappy one of its first use.
https://plus.google.com/115269913725230286657/posts/LZAXyTNiBTL

 

[thejollyroger]

Looks good!

 

[JonathanD]

That is a beautifully patterned piece of wood. Well executed

 

[cranmere]

Beautiful! I have a serious case of covetousness.

 

[Harvestman]

I've been sent a piece of this wood, so I'm now under pressure to do it justice. I doubt mine will be as good.

 

[fishfish]

+1 here too.

 

[Harvestman]

+1 here too.

Oh great. Now I have two to be worse than. i've seen your efforts.

Mine will probably take about 6 months anyway at my normal rate.

 

[quietone]

Oh great. Now I have two to be worse than. i've seen your efforts.

Mine will probably take about 6 months anyway at my normal rate.

Just you, I've not sent anything else. So, the pressure is ALL on you..

 

[quietone]

 

[Harvestman]

Ah, I misunderstood. I've made a start, and a split in the handle has already caused a change of plans, but so far so good.

 

[brancho]

Thats very nice indeed.

 

[quietone]

Ah, I misunderstood. I've made a start, and a split in the handle has already caused a change of plans, but so far so good.

PVA the split, clamp it up. Then you're good to go.
Also, I'm quite excited to see somebody else's carving too. I'm sure you'll do just fine harvestman.

 

[Harvestman]

I took a different approach and carved away to one side of the split, removing the wood and going with the shape left. It should be fine. Fun project to do. I'm trying to do it all with hand tools.

 

[quietone]

I took a different approach and carved away to one side of the split, removing the wood and going with the shape left. It should be fine. Fun project to do. I'm trying to do it all with hand tools.

That's the spirit, it'll be worth it in the end.

 

[Dean]

I like this very much. I just recently finished my own spalted wood project and I to found the grain changed alot while I carved, you have a nice peice that should serve you well.

Mike I have faith that you will do a great job just remember to keep your tools sharpe, hope to catch up with you soon.

 

[bikebum1975]

Beautiful pieces. A bit jealous having a cord of birch lol

 

[quietone]

So, given my current addiction to carving kuksa right now, and that I managed to find some more suitable bits to use, I thought I'd show you a couple more I'm working on. This one its going to be for my missus. Still a lot to do though, thinning out the sides, maybe narrow the handle a little.

This one is for a mate in France, pretty much complete, but I'm thinking of making the handle a bit slimmer too. He's got huge hands, and I deliberately made it larger, but not sure if its too large.

Handles

All advice, criticisms welcome.

 

[Macaroon]

Lovely work there, you've got the hang of finding and using really nice wood; I don't think you need much advice, the things you've mentioned are down to personal taste and judging from what you've done so far, you're not going to go far wrong, eh?

 

[Big Stu 12]

They look the doggy dangles, thanks for showing