Fifteen years ago, my journey into the art of hollow vessel woodturning began assisting in a class led by renowned artist David Ellsworth at the Arrowmont School of Arts. I bought my first set of hollow vessel tools from Mr Ellsworth there. We had to buy the steel and fashion our handles, which taught me as much about tool making as wood turning itself. My initial set of tools was designed with long and sturdy handles to counteract the vibration encountered while hollowing end grain, a common challenge in the craft.
Over the years, these tools served me well as I hollowed vessels with tiny holes. However, it's been almost 20 years now and as with all crafts, innovation and technology bring new improvements. Recognizing the potential for enhancing my work and easing the physical demands of the craft, I decided it was time to upgrade my tools. The choice was clear: I opted for the Easy Tool hollow vessel tools, a modern solution that promised to streamline the process of hollowing wood vessels.
The Easy Tool line represents a significant evolution in wood-turning tools. They are glorified scrapers so it makes cutting with them extremely easy. Unlike traditional tools, which require regular sharpening and can be challenging to master, Easy Tool's design simplifies the sharpening process, making it more accessible and less physically taxing. This upgrade was not just about ease of use; it was about embracing new technology while still honoring the craft's traditional roots. The one issue, I find about the easy tools hollowing tools is the handles are very long, but it's a minor issue.
In addition to upgrading my hollowing tools, I also embarked on a new challenge: carving a hollow vessel barley twist vase. This was something that I had thought of Traditionally, creating a barley twist required specialized chisels and a steady hand to carve the intricate spirals by hand. This method, while rewarding, was time-consuming and required a level of precision that could be daunting. In a departure from tradition, I decided to use a Dremel tool and grind out most of the material with speed.
The decision to use a Dremel tool was driven by a desire to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. The precision and speed of the Dremel allowed me to achieve intricate designs that would have been much more difficult with hand tools alone. This approach to carving barley twists opened up new creative possibilities, enabling me to explore designs and details that were previously out of reach.
This journey of upgrading my wood-turning tools and techniques is a testament to the evolving nature of craftsmanship. By incorporating modern tools like the Easy Tool hollow vessel tools and the Dremel, I was able to enhance my efficiency and expand my creative horizons. However, the foundation laid by traditional methods and the lessons learned from masters like Ellsworth and Mocho remain at the heart of my craft.
The balance between tradition and innovation is a delicate one, but it is essential for the growth and evolution of any craft. As I continue to explore the possibilities of woodturning, I am reminded that the tools we use are not just instruments of creation; they are bridges between the past and the future, connecting us to the long history of craftsmanship while opening doors to new forms of expression.
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