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Thread: Devon Dragon Kuksa.

  1. #1
    Trapper Jon Mac's Avatar
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    Devon Dragon Kuksa.

    Hi.
    I haven't visited Natural Bushcraft for some years now.
    I think my old P.C was so full of viruses it simply wouldn't let me log on.

    Since my last visit I have been working on my knife, spoon and kuksa designs.
    I took a year away from carving kuksa to develop my spoon carving technique and to give
    thought about the direction I want to go with kuksa carving.
    Well, once I'd decided I'd given the problem enough thought, it was time to take action.
    So, I had a word with Albert and headed off to his woodland for some carving material
    a fresh windblown, Birch.


    Click image for larger version. 

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    My wife Sarah and I own the worlds smallest car which definitely
    wouldn't reach the centre of the woodland, so it was time to break out the big packs
    and prepare for some tough leg work.
    This is the start of a kuksa carve, snedding and sawing carefully chosen lengths of green wood.
    The photo above shows me snedding a branch the opposite side of the tree to where I'm standing,
    I'm always conscious of where that axe head is headed.
    I use a Brucks Small Forest Axe for this kind of work.
    I'm not a big fan of this Axe as it isn't particularly versatile, but for felling and snedding work, it's great !

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    So once back at the 'JonMac Pigsty Workshop' it's time to light the stove and split my chosen timber.
    I'm not going to go through the whole carving process here, you can find out how it's done on my blog, but I thought you might like a few 'Highlights'.


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    The initial Axe work on these pieces is quite violent, but measured in it's ferocity and accuracy, I'm usually quite keen
    to get this part done and dusted as quickly as possible. Once I get the knife out I can start drawing the work, getting the proportions to work, joining point a to point b with a suitable curve or line. And hollowing out the bowl with a hook knife. I usually undercut the lip to reduce spillage of your favourite tipple. These are the processes I enjoy the most.

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    I often bring the work indoors for the fine detail, it's more for the light and a table than any other reason. All of this carve can be accomplished in the forest with three tools plus a 3mm gauge or a hot nail.


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    The next part of the carve, for me, is the most nerve wracking. Carving the character into the piece.

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    If I wasn't indoors with a good lamp I would definitely use a head torch whilst carrying
    out this part.

    So, eventually, after some considerable hours with sharp Axe, Sloyd knife and hook I reach the finish. A couple of coats of oil and it's ready to ship and onto the next one.........

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Thank you for taking the time to get to this end of my first post for some years.
    Appreciated.

    Jon Mac.
    Last edited by Jon Mac; 26-07-2017 at 11:21 AM.
    SPOON CARVING FIRST STEPS... www.spooncarvingfirststeps.com
    Spoon and Kuksa carving courses.
    Edge tool maintenance.

  2. #2
    Ranger Ehecatl's Avatar
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    Welcome back Jon and thanks for sharing.

    M@
    "If you were to ask me what I consider to be my finest achievement, I could answer the question without hesitation: teaching." ~ Raymond Blanc.

  3. #3
    Trapper Jon Mac's Avatar
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    Hi Ehecatl, thank you for your warm welcome back, much appreciated... J
    SPOON CARVING FIRST STEPS... www.spooncarvingfirststeps.com
    Spoon and Kuksa carving courses.
    Edge tool maintenance.

  4. #4
    Natural Born Bushcrafter Woody's Avatar
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    Brilliant!!
    That's a beautiful take on the kuksa ...
    Very unusual and it looks like a genuinely ancient design..

    I'll be visiting the blog too!
    Thanks for sharing that and welcome back!👍👍


    Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

  5. #5
    Natural Born Bushcrafter MikeWilkinson's Avatar
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    Hi Jon. As always beautiful work. Welcome back. I've been absent for a while as well. Not just from the forums but all things woodlands and woodcraft orientated. I must say this post has inspired me to do some more whittling.

    Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk
    [SIZE=4][COLOR=#8b4513]Wake me up when things are over, and I'm Wiser and older.

  6. #6
    Trapper Jon Mac's Avatar
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    Thank you Woody.
    I was surprised and pleased in equal measure when I managed a clean log-in.
    I must get back to writing more, I've been blowing in the wind for a while now.
    Talk soon... J
    SPOON CARVING FIRST STEPS... www.spooncarvingfirststeps.com
    Spoon and Kuksa carving courses.
    Edge tool maintenance.

  7. #7
    Trapper Jon Mac's Avatar
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    Well it's good to catch up again with everyone. I'm pleased to hear you may take up the old addiction once more.
    Talk soon... J
    SPOON CARVING FIRST STEPS... www.spooncarvingfirststeps.com
    Spoon and Kuksa carving courses.
    Edge tool maintenance.

  8. #8
    Moderator jus_young's Avatar
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    Saw this one on Twitter and was very taken with the design. Thanks for coming back and sharing it on here Jon


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  9. #9
    Trapper Jon Mac's Avatar
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    Hi Jus_Young.
    Thank you for your warm welcome. I'll add a few posts from time to time now I can log on.
    Glad to hear you've enjoyed the design.
    All the best.
    J.
    SPOON CARVING FIRST STEPS... www.spooncarvingfirststeps.com
    Spoon and Kuksa carving courses.
    Edge tool maintenance.

  10. #10
    Samuel Hearne Bernie's Avatar
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    Exmouth, Devon, England, UK
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    I'm speechless. The quality... the detail... the result!

    There's no "bowing in respect" emoticon here so the best I can find is this:

    Thank you for sharing your amazing work Jon.
    The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. - Chinese Proverb

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