Jon Mac.Spoon Carving First Steps: A Re-Helve

Monday, 28 January 2013

A Re-Helve

Just before New Year I decided I needed to straighten up the helve on my Axe.

spoon carving +spoon+carving+spoon carving MacNic Axe

The first incarnation was a lovely curved affair.

But I wanted to change it for a straight helve, much like my H.Roselli Axe.

With a straight helve, the cutting edge is presented to the work at the same attitude no matter where your hand is on the helve.

I like this idea.

There is a full helve replacement tutorial here on my blog.

My-work-cut-out-2.

It is important to recess the helve to allow for a curved cheek.

You can make a nice accurate recess if you mark out with a compass or something similar.

The Poll needs seating as well.

Once a good tight fit is achieved it's time to saw a slot for a peg.

I chose a piece of Mahogany from the 'Cutty Sark' tea clipper.

Making sure it will be a good tight fit

When confident the peg is at the right dimension...

Hammer or press it home.

Then remove the excess.

A good fit !

It looks great.

And now it feels part of me when I rough out spoon blanks.

I'm very happy indeed.

You can buy very handy and useful axe heads from

Nic Westerman.

If you wish to purchase any of my work.

Drop me a line at...

firststeps@thewood.eclipse.co.uk

Enjoy.

2 comments:

Matthew28 January 2013 at 17:38
Blimey Jon, that's a flash bit of timber for an axe wedge!!!
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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.

Monday, 28 January 2013

A Re-Helve

2 comments:

Carving a Dragon Kuksa.