Summer time Kuksa...

[Mr Mac]

I have been asked to carve a few Beaver tail kuksa.
My friend and fellow spoon maker, Alan, arrived with a few lengths of Birch for the job.

I use my H.Roselli axe for these Beaver tails.
There is a lot of obtuse end grain work to chop.
The Roselli does this work very very well.

I don't usually mark out when carving.
But for my beaver tails I usually draw round an old mug to get started.
A couple of well placed 'V' cuts, and we're off....

I shape them up, refining as I go...

Almost done...

I started this one on the morning of Beltane...
She was finished by the evening of the same day.
I took a well earned beer....

I came up with this design some years ago. I have changed it a little by foreshortening the whole affair.
I have added a couple of links at the end of this piece.
You'll see the difference between the old and new.

You can find more information here....
http://spooncarvingfirststeps.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/latest-kuksa-carving.html

And a blow by blow tutorial here....
http://spooncarvingfirststeps.blogspot.co.uk/2009/12/carving-kuksa.html

Enjoy.
J.​

 

[Niels]

You're a very skilled craftsman mr Mac. That tutorial on your website is very useful, thanks.

 

[Mr Mac]

Lot's of practice Niels.... I'm still learning, I'll always be learning... J

 

[Two Socks]

Stunning as always. Thanks for the links to the tutorials.

 

[Dreadhead]

saw these on FB, beautiful kuksas

 

[Mr Mac]

My pleasure Two Socks.
I hope the tutorials come in useful.
J.

 

[Mr Mac]

Cheers Half Goat.
Thank's for your support.
J.

 

[Hugo]

Very nice looking kuksa's as always John.

 

[Mr Mac]

Thanks Hugo.
Been carving all day, just settling for supper... J

 

[Two Socks]

I have just been carving for two hours here, and that made me realize again how much effort goes into the making of your work. You must have iron hands after hollowing out all those kuksas.

 

[crosslandkelly]

They are lovely.

 

[addo]

You earned your beer this time for sure. Lovely work Mac.

 

[Mr Mac]

Hi Two Socks.
Well, I guess my hands have grown accustomed to long stints of carving, calluses come and go, my wrists suffer most on the bigger pieces. Getting older, that's the problem.
Still, I love the process. I'm carving a Kuksa with a rams head for a handle at the moment. Not sure how it'll come out, I'm fairly confident I can make a job of it.
Well, back at it, I have some pieces to pack for the Post Office...
J.

 

[Mr Mac]

Hi Kelly.
Thank you my friend. I'm afraid the clear blue skies have disappeared, so not much photography going on at present.
Glad you enjoyed the new batch of Beaver tail.
J.

 

[Mr Mac]

Phew ! Sure did Addo.
The beer went down well I must admit.
Cheers.... J