Hand Carved Bowls by David Fisher

This video does not show every step along the way from log to finished bowl, but it does show the most essential four tools and techniques I use.  Don't expect a professional looking video -- I'll need some help for that.  I prefer to work outdoors when I can, but couldn't when I taped this.  So you won't hear any birds singing, just the sounds of the tools (with a bit of sound delay for some reason).  I simply set up the tripod with our simple camera set to video mode and taped a few of the steps as I worked on a large black walnut bowl.  No talking, no explosions or other special effects. 

First, you will see me doing the final bit of hollowing with the adze, working right up to the line and establishing an even curvature on the inside of the bowl.  These are much less aggressive cuts than when I begin the hollowing process and take large chunks out with the adze.

Then, the video will transition to the refining of the adzed surface with a paring gouge.  I had forgotten to tape this step on the original bowl, so this step is actually taped while working on a similar walnut bowl.  The other portions of the video all show work on the original bowl seen at the beginning of the video.

The next part shows me hewing the exterior of the bowl with a carving axe.  The chopping block is a bit small for this bowl, but it worked out ok.  A larger surface would be better and more safe.

The final portion shows work at the bowl horse with the drawknife.  Then, the last bit goes through a few photos of the finished bowl.