Jon Mac.Spoon Carving First Steps: 14/03/2010

Sunday, 14 March 2010

Spoon Carving...Recent Work

This week I would like to show you some recent photographs of my work. I am currently working on some commissions and will post some pictures of them soon...

jon mac spoon carving first steps bowl devon

This bowl was hollowed out using an Adze and finished internally with a hook knife. The exterior was shaped with Axe and Puukko and left with a natural finish. The final texture was added using a very small Gouge...

The next piece is a spoon in a Swedish style...

With some fun photography...

I have also spent a little time out of doors. The sun was shining and I had the feeling the time was right. I quickly made a couple of Birch spile with an Axe and Hook Knife, and using the slash method, attached them to the trees. I was immediately rewarded with some lovely maple sap, but the temperature has dropped again and so has the production of sap. I'm sure it will warm up soon though...

And when it does I will post a couple of snaps...
ENJOY...

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Jon Mac.

Folk Artist.

Photographer.

Jon has worked with his hands all his life. He has learnt many traditional working skills, from construction to carving beautiful wooden spoons and drinking vessels. He has spent much time on Dartmoor teaching outdoor pursuits, such as Ten Tors team training and working with private companies providing team building/survival resources. He is a retired member of Mountain Rescue and spent seven years on the active call out list with his local team.

( D.R.G.Ashburton).

He has spent many years exploring the Devon countryside perusing his other interest in photography, industrial archaeology and local history. He recently used his local knowledge and field craft skills to great advantage when acting as field assistant to researchers investigating bat habitats and behaviour here on Dartmoor.

Jon runs tailor made courses both here in Devon and occasionally in Scotland, for anyone interested in spoon carving and woodcraft skills. Using traditional hand tools, Axe, hook knife and knife, he teaches the techniques for the fast and safe removal of waste wood, shaping and designing. He also teaches how to attain a super sharp cutting edge with the use of Japanese water stones.These skills are key to making anything you wish out of wood.

He is also a knife designer and has had his designs fabricated by top blade smiths.

Jon believes passionately that the skills of both using and maintaining knife and axe blades are ones which need to be shared, in order that we do not loose these important techniques. Jon particularly enjoys sharing these skills with those who have little or no experience of using edge tools.

Sunday, 14 March 2010

Spoon Carving...Recent Work

Carving a Dragon Kuksa.