Splitting wood

I felled some trees today and couldn't pass up on the opportunity to use the old faithfull Elwell splitting wedges to cleave the wood for axe handles, I didn't have a mallet so knocked up a wooden on from one of the limbs, I used the a chainsaw to shape the handle of the mallet, it worked well and the wood split in no time at all.










I love using these wedges and find them very accurate at cleaving, the wood isn't the best for large axe handles but for small hatchets it will be fine as the growth rings are quite far appart.

Wonky Ash Wood Spirit Staff

Well I've just finished another Wood Spirit staff made from Ash, this one is a bit wonky and I gave him a long
beard, I think I might be getting addicted to carving these!.
I fitted another Brass ferrule, I've yet to make a lanyard for it, although it looks ok without one.



A picture of the two wise old Spirits by my front door in the hall.







Druids wands were often made from Ash I found an interesting site which has a section on trees.
http://www.thegoddesstree.com/trees/Ash.htm

Finished Wood Spirit.

I finished the Ash Wood Spirit staff last night so I thought I would get some pics this morning.
I added a leather lanyard with an antler toggle, gave it a few coats of beeswax and fitted an antique coloured Brass ferrule to the tip.












I started another from a slightly wonky piece of Ash, I think I might give him a long beard ,I'll get some pics when its done.

Ash Wood spirit staff

I have been meaning to have another go at another Wood spirit for a while now and seeing as the Ash staff drying was about ready, I set to it.
I have always found drawing hands and faces really difficult, and find carving them is tricky too!. The Ash is from a clearing job I did about a year an a half ago and is very straight, as soon as I saw it I knew it would make a sturdy staff, I left the bark on the staff as I like the just coppiced look it brings to the staff, very rustic!, with its few marks and a chainsaw scar on the back, makes it very rustic indeed.



I have another piece that I kept which will make another nice staff, I am thinking of making one more seeing as this one turned out ok.
This ones not quite finished yet, I have waxed it with bees wax and I'm thinking of adding some cordage for a wrist strap and also thought about a button compass sunk into the top of the staff, I'll get some more pics when its done.

Thanks.

Willow Kuksa

A couple of pics of a Willow Kuksa I made for myself I use this cup alot at work for coffee and its also hanging on my pack when I go camping or on bimbles.




A small split in the front was filled with super glue and fine wood dust.



Pictured with some of my favourite pieces of kit
.

My Kuksa,Birch bark box, Curly Birch knife I made and my Bentwood box, I didn't make this it was a gift.

Few pics from the cold

A couple of photos from the past week.



Logging in the snow recently its been -10 some nights with freezing fog its been excellent I dont really mind the cold.



The freezing fog has produced some stunning results!