For this years swap I drew Earl (EA) as my recipient. After reviewing Earl’s projects and getting totally intimidated by the workbench he built (a piece of furniture in my book) and wondering what I could possibly make, I opted for practical. Seeing in some of his posts that he had a BGE, that’s the direction I took. I also was determined to attempt something I hadn’t done or learn a new skill.
For the skill, I set out to carve a spoon. I had a chunk of 4/4 hickory and thinking that would make a solid spoon I got started by cutting out the rough shape with my bandsaw. Then on to chiseling out the bowl as I figured that would be the most difficult.
A lot of sculpting and sanding….and started to take shape I decided a spoon needed a companion spatula. I used a plastic “Lodge” scraper made to get into the radii and scrape cast iron frying pans as a template for the spatula profile. Once profiled to satisfaction and sanded, gave them a water treatment to raise the grain, final sanding, oil bath and engraving.
Then proceeded to build a storage box for SpeediLight charcoal starters. Build a mitered Spalted maple box with blood wood splines. Book matched a small piece of swamp oak for the lid and engraved with Earl’s initials. Concern about the long term integrity of screws in the soft maple let me to decide on a sliding lid. Set up the router table to cut the sliding dove tail on the box and matched the top Finished with rattlecan lacquer.
And finally… a BGE shaped bottle opener carved from a piece of Mesquite.
Once again, glad to have been part of the swap. Kenny runs a great swap. Thanks for looking.
great job on all of it dan. i keep thinking about doin some carved kitchen tools. it's on my to do list. box looks great with that spalted wood. and that opener is too cool. glad you joined us my friend.
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
Such an awesome package Dan! I love the BGE theme. That bottle opener is super cool. Carving is so relaxing but I have a tough time with spoons. You did an excellent job on those. Great job all around and thanks for joining again!!
Nice job Dan. I don't have an egg, so I'll just say cool looking stuff on the BGE Swag, love the box, and that you always use diseased woods, is a sure way to win. :-)
I have made spoons, and for firsties you made a very nice bowl, and your paddle/spatula is very nice as well. Now that opener kicks major butt, nice job on an entry into beer/BBQdom, you came in screaming.
Wish I was in, but with 4+ hours a day in getting radiated, I find I have enough time to dabble in the shop, but planning for an actual project is still in my future, hopefully next year. Of course I'm trying not to be a pantywaist, and come to this woodworking forum, and talk about anything except wood, and woodworking, lest I anger the actual owners of this site. Putz and Rich.
Only question I have is where are the brewski's? Don't tell me Earl quit drinkin beer. Ahhhh, please don't tell me that.
SWMBO immediately confiscated the spoon and spatula. The hickory grain in the spoon looks great. Both utensils fit well in hand and feel just right. Nice carving work!!
Fortunately, the bottle opener looks like the BGE so I get to keep it.
I also get to keep the box since my initials are on the top. The spalted maple sides with the bloodwood splines and swamp oak top makes a very striking box.
Here are the beers - tasty one and all. YEE HAW!!!
Thanks Dan!!
Dan's BeerBQ BGE swag reminded me that I need to make a home for my BGE. Another great beer swap swag haul.
Thanks George. No fears, I sent Earl some YeeHaw!!! You sound like you’re persevering some of life’s obstacles. Prayers my friend. I look forward to seeing your next project, when ever you get to feeling up to it. Stay safe!
Kudos to you Dan for doing some carving with your projects...I'm impressed! Hickory is no joke to carve and you did really well....the texture on the bottle opener is awesome too.
