Making my frist Kuksa... in the wild (kind of)

[PiterM]

Last two weeks I spent in the Mountains, South of Poland. So I wanted to play a bit with my tools and decided to try making Kuksa. My first one. Tools I used:
- Gransfors Bruks Mini Hatchet
- Fiskars folding saw
- Bushcraft knife (custom)
- crooked knife (Mora)
- hand drill for making initial hole enlarged than with knife

I started with piece of birchwood, which I splited in half:

Than I formed the handle with hatchet & saw, and I rounded front part of my Kuksa with hatchet and knife:

Than the toughest job started... working with crooked knife on hard birch:

And after some time...

And after even more time I had a "cup" ready, so I drilled a hole and put a leather loop through it with stag bead:

First use (something for my daughter, who "helped" me some... and she's 4yo):

The next day I impregnated it with vegetable oil and it was ready for using during our trips for drinking water from mountain streams, temporary berry storage (for my Mary) and for.... Jack Daniels in the evening

That was fun. And great learning program on proper use of edged tools

 

[Harmony]

The picture of you and your daughter with the kuksa made my day!!!!

 

[stretch3144]

Nice one! I just got a crook knife today - just need to acquire some decent logs now to have a play.

 

[Pict]

OK, That's one cute, happy looking kid. Good job on the cup. Mac

 

[Front Room Woodlander]

That is what its all about!
Your young Mary will remember that for a long time. The cup will probably last as long.
Well done you.

 

[littlebiglane]

really good. also good to see the joy on your little one's face.

priceless.

LBL

 

[DoctorSpoon]

That's lovely
Nicola

 

[Blades]

aw Good to see. Wish I could get such big shavings with my spoon knife. Just can't get the technique right.

Also must note the passing resemblance to Lee Evans

 

[lamper]

Got my new small forest axe today, need to get me some logs to practice my crook technique.

I tried last week and it was very very had work...

 

[Kotteman]

One thing that I think most people forget is that birch is a really hard wood and things made from it can be made really thin (kukas made from birch burls can be 2-3mm thick). Although some experience is needed to do that 

 

[Boreas]

Hey guys, I've noticed quite a bit on this forum that folks from the UK often use the term crooked knife interchangeably with the spoon knife or hook knife.

Crooked knives are traditional woodworking tools I believe originating here in Canada. I have no idea how to post pictures, so here's a link of some good examples http://www.mooseriverhandcrafts.com/kni-crooked.htm

Spoon knives or hook knives are more of what you're used to seeing in the mora knives, With a full or near full hook to them, and a straight handle.

Rant over, I apologize if I come off as argumentative, just thought I'd clear that up.

 

[JDO330]

Absolutely wonderful, my daughter is 5 and showing positive signs of really starting to enjoy the out doors. She used her opinel childs knife last weekend for the first time (supervised obviously) and she really got to grips with stripping bark of twigs etc, she was so proud, as was I.

Now ive seen your kuksa I really want to have a go at making one myself. Must get myself a Mora spoon knife and get cracking!

Great stuff, im inspired.

ATB, Jon.

 

[JDO330]

One thing that I think most people forget is that birch is a really hard wood and things made from it can be made really thin (kukas made from birch burls can be 2-3mm thick). Although some experience is needed to do that 

What would be a better wood for a beginner to start with (ie, someone like me who has never used a spoon knife before) whilst still ending up with a usful kuksa?

ATB, Jon.

 

[robin wood]

Hey guys, I've noticed quite a bit on this forum that folks from the UK often use the term crooked knife interchangeably with the spoon knife or hook knife.

Crooked knives are traditional woodworking tools I believe originating here in Canada. I have no idea how to post pictures, so here's a link of some good examples http://www.mooseriverhandcrafts.com/kni-crooked.htm

Spoon knives or hook knives are more of what you're used to seeing in the mora knives, With a full or near full hook to them, and a straight handle.

Rant over, I apologize if I come off as argumentative, just thought I'd clear that up.

Well if we are going to be pedantic we really should call the knives you linked to mocotaugan's. From what I can gather many of the originals were made from cast off cut throat razors but soon Sheffield started exporting versions which were used as trade goods. This free download book is excellent. http://www.mocotauganthebook.com/

The major difference between European and North American practice is not the degree of curvature (you find more and less curved in both places) but whether you use them palm up (Canada) or palm down (Europe). There are also differences between the mocotaugan of the central and northern areas compared to the rather finer knives of the North West Coast used for carving bowls, totems, masks etc.