I go through phases…. sometimes I start making one type of thing and I just keep going, each one being a different style and different wood. I often do not have a plan, or even an intention of what I’m going to make.
With big blanks I’m thinking, hmm, fruit bowl or display bowl. Smaller stuff I’m thinking, well, honestly nothing on first cut. I shape the bottom edge and that’s when the decision gets made. If its a shallow curve I’m heading towards a dish of some kind, if I have gone sharp curve I’m making some form of container. Either way, I’m simply looking for something pretty and pleasing to my eye.
When I get to the inside, again, it’s kind of dictated by the slope of the outer edge, with specials being multi level internals or jewellery dishes. What a lot of people may not know is the time spent cutting versus sanding and finishing. For me, an average bowl is 50% cutting and shaping and 50% finish.
Every maker has different ways of producing a finish. Mine is perhaps overly labour intensive, but it’s part of the pleasure for me.
Here is my process:
1) cut to as smooth a surface as possible,
2) sand with my bowl sander at 80 grit, 150 grit, 240 grit and 400 grit.
3) sand with a piece of trizact cloth which takes it to circa 1000 grit.
4) go over it again with Yorkshire grit original,
5) sometimes go again with Yorkshire grit microfine,
6) finish either with Gilboys hard wax oil for a food safe finish, or Mylands high build friction polish for non food safe.
Almost all of my bowl interiors regardless of their intended purpose get finished with food safe finish. Please see below for images of my finishing products and this week’s selection of bowls!
