Calm Carving | Spalted Walnut Whiskey Cup

[@phillipdoye9854]

Thank you for sharing your technique, fantastic work!

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Thank you!

[@regular-joe]

Skill, craftsmanship, and art, a real pleasure to see. Liked, shared, subscribed. Thanks!

[@samuelalexandershapes]

This is so kind. Thank you very much. There will be a new video coming tomorrow! 👀

[@Стараядетскаякнига]

Thank you very much! It is a great pleasure to watch your videos. It calms you down, inspires you to create wooden carved utensils and various dishes. A wonderful tool. It is cool that the inter-noise is of very high quality, without any off-screen melody! Good luck to you!

[@samuelalexandershapes]

This is extremely kind of you to say. Thank you very much. I’m really pleased that you liked this video and that you feel inspired

[@o9dk]

what a gorgeous piece. i will be looking out for that shop section :)

[@jonathanowen9528]

Such a chilled video with such a beautiful piece at the end. Subscribed. Best of luck on your journey 🍀

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Thank you so much

[@gistarbsonestopfarmshop]

Very inspiring!

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Glad you think so!

[@duncanblack808]

Great. I carve a little and this is great inspiration. Thank you.

[@samuelalexandershapes]

You are so welcome!

[@gregzoller9003]

Amazing! Fantastic work, and a pleasure to watch. I wonder how many of these he went through (chopped through) until he developed an intuitive feel for the thickness of the cup…

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Hundreds!!

[@TheToddFather1969]

I enjoyed this video. Interesting technique.

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed

[@NecromancerSloth]

These videos are fantastic, and I love your carvings. You have a such a sweet voice and demeanor too hehe

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Glad you like them!

[@gpdory]

I just found your channel and intend to watch all of your previous videos. you are truly a craftsman and have such a calm demeanor. You are extremely talented I've subscribed to your channel and am looking forward to seeing more of your carvings in the future. I'm curious as to the county of which you live. I live in the u.s.and I also am a wook carver. Blessings to you and your family.

[@samuelalexandershapes]

@ thank you so much. This is so So kind! I am based in the Czech Republic. Originally from the UK

[@Олег-ь8ц9ы]

Хороший інсрумент,гарна робота,чиста.Браво майстру. Hello from Ukraine!!!

[@Fant01]

Beautiful work, you are very talented sir! 🙏

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Thank you very much!

[@eatrideselfrealiserepeat]

Brilliant. Thank you. I came from the tutorial video so chuffed to see a prototype dual sided hook thing!

[@felixthewoods8420]

great vid sam! ive been leaving Walnut in big tubs of water ( as billets ) and it makes all of the sapwood go really nice deep browns and purples if left for a few weeks to maybe a month or so! i think it may be something to do with all of the tanins leaking out and almost self ebonising!!

[@samuelalexandershapes]

I think you’re right! It’s a great wood to really play with the colours and tone. I even got a little red spot in this piece. Been really enjoying your spoon Felix.

[@deanoboland]

Outstanding sir

[@Kellygaugler-w3i]

Enjoyed your video

[@stacygerlich5807]

Excellent❤

[@asmundoks]

Great woodcarving, man!

[@ThornWoodForge]

This is really awesome dude. Absolutely love the videos you make! Would be really interested to see what you thought of our new caving axe 🤔

[@abelalemanara6504]

Preciosas!!!!

[@PhotoPilgrim]

I cut myself three times just watching this. Great work, you make it look easy.

[@fantaelectrix]

Hey Sam, what's your process to stop the cup from cracking when drying?

[@samuelalexandershapes]

To prevent cracking, I carve the walls of these kinds of cups to an even thickness so that it dries at an even rate… I also work around the pith without including it so that there is less tension and this less cracking around the tighter, more compact growth rings. Wood wants to dry at an even rate to match its environment. Around the pith, there is more moisture and tension so wood cracks to open and dry at the same rate as the rest. Finally, I dry the pieces slowly, in a tote bag filled with wood chips within another tote bag in a cool, dark place in the house away from heat, draft or direct sunlight. (The cupboard under the sink). Sadly despite the measures, if wood wants to crack, it will. I’d say I lose every 1-in-30 to a crack. Fruit woods are more prone to cracking compared to other hardwoods such as birch, maple, alder etc and nut woods like walnut... Great question! I hope this helps.

[@scottbolton8028]

This was a wonderful video with a beautiful cup at the end of it. I'm just about to chop an apple tree down in my garden and this would be a great way of honouring it. Could you give me some on advice on how to prepare the wood for this? Thanks. S

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Thank you so much! I’m glad that it can be of inspiration for you. Of course! When felling, keep the sections you intend to use as long as possible and only cut it to appropriate length when you’re ready to carve. If you have lengths of over a meter, keep the bark on and seal each end with wood glue. The ideal length of workable wood for a cup like this is about 15cm or so without knots or twists in the wood. I advise keeping the wood long so that there is more to grip when shaping. if you can’t carve it right away, or you have to stop carving, you want to keep the moisture in the wood. Seal it in a bag or something similar to stop evaporation and cracking. Dry apple is tough as nails! Always split the pith away as it is prone to cracking, especially in fruit woods. Use one half (the best half of the cleanest in terms of knots) and axe away the cleft surface to make sure the pith and juvenile wood aren’t to be used.

[@scottbolton8028]

@@samuelalexandershapes Thanks, Samuel.

[@alanhinsley8096]

Just found your whisky cup video which was lovely. It was not too long and showed sections of each process including the sharpening of your curved knife. I've taken up spoon carving but nothing like your level. Both my son and myself are malt whisky fans, and when he comes up for a few days we enjoy a dram or two. I would be very interested if you sell these cups, if so where or how could I obtain one or two?. They would make a very special present for my son and me of course!. Keep up your fantastic work and skill.

[@samuelalexandershapes]

This is a lovely story. I am glad that you like this video and have been carving and bonding with your son too. I will be updating my online store in the near future with some cups and spoons and such items. I will let folks now on here and on my Instagram page. If you like, do drop me an email through my website and I can let you know when I’m updating. I need to establish an mailing list! Thank you for your encouragement. Sam

[@samuelalexandershapes]

@@alanhinsley8096 hello friend! I will be updating my store tomorrow at 8pm Central European time. 🙏🙏

[@danielwilliams8860]

I just started carving/whittling. This video is very soothing and pleasing to watch. I really enjoy seeing that you focus techniques with patients. Is this wood your working with black walnut by chance?

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I wish you all the best in your carving journey. If you need any advice or help, do get in touch. It is indeed walnut. 🤗

[@nicholasbrokling1508]

Will the linseed oil taint the taste of the whiskey? Love your style and perfection Cheers Nic

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Hmm only slightly I’d say. After the fist few uses it goes away.

[@antonioguevara4188]

I'm glad I stopped scrolling through the KZbin videos. You caught my eye and kept interested in your art. Do you sell these cups? I have been looking for a good whiskey cup. Glass breaks as do my coffee cups. Thanks

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Hello there! Ahh thank you very much. I am so pleased that you like my videos. I do sell them.. I don’t have any of this style in stock at the moment but I have some other things on my website if you wanted to see (link in bio). I will be doing an update in the spring time. I tend to let my followers know on Instagram that there are new products in stock. Hope this helps!

[@scottkirejczyk1544]

Super cool. Do you sell them…?

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Hey there! Thank you so much. I usually do but I’ve currently sold out of this kind of size on my website. I have larger, more sculptural pieces and also some spoons and other homewares in my online shop. The link can be found in my KZbin bio if you wanted to have a browse 🙏

[@Jmsteff]

Great video! Where do you get your wood from?

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Thank you! I got this wood as a byproduct of the local councils tree management. Sometimes it comes from neighbours or from local businesses who carry out tree work in their gardens or premises. Sometime I go for a cycle or walk and I find a fallen branch or tree

[@patrickadams1927]

Beautiful work, thank you for sharing.

[@frankhanzlicek6550]

Ein sehr schönes Objekt! Eine Anregung für die Winterzeit! Danke dafür!

[@samuelalexandershapes]

You’re welcome :)

[@alanrawson-wg8io]

Beautiful! What is the wood?

[@samuelalexandershapes]

This is European walnut wood

[@alanrawson-wg8io]

@ does walnut flavor the beverage you drink from the cup?

[@samuelalexandershapes]

@@alanrawson-wg8io I wouldn't say the walnut does that much when it is seasoned. The oil will a little bit, but it usually goes away after a while. Tung oil lingers longest in my experience.

[@alanrawson-wg8io]

@ thank you! You do wonderful work. How long for you to make this whiskey cup?

[@samuelalexandershapes]

@ thank you! I’d say 6-7 hours it total, including finishing cuts once dry

[@haidafella8651]

Hefty gulp of whisky will fit in ther

[@samuelalexandershapes]

That’s the plan! A lot of people also use them for wine so I make some a little larger.

[@timswoodendeavors]

A wooden wonder.

[@pewpewlaz0r1337]

Nice work! You mentioned you use linseed oil, do you use a specific type for woodworking or just any kind from the food store?

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Good question! It’s easy to get confused between linseed oil for woodworking and linseed oil for protecting spoons and cups. I make sure I buy food-grade, cold pressed linseed oil, commonly sold as flaxseed oil. linseed for furniture plan from a DIY store will contain curing agents that make it polymerise fast. The agents are not food safe and thus not appropriate for things that’ll come into contact with food, drink and mouths. Be mindful that if left to dry on a rag, it can spontaneously combust! I usually just massage in with my hands and let it cure instead of using a cloth or paper towel or something. Sorry if this was lengthy, but I hope it helps!

[@DanskSloyd]

@@samuelalexandershapes I just watched the video without sound - do you use linseed oil for the inside of the bowl aswell?

[@samuelalexandershapes]

@@DanskSloyd yes indeed! I massage generous amounts into the whole cup, wait maybe 3 weeks and then repeat. Some people dip them in baths of oil… there are many ways but yes, I aim to seal all exposed wood

[@magnussundelin2704]

Great and inspirational video Samuel, happy to see your work👍🙏

[@samuelalexandershapes]

@ thanks so much Magnus! Great to hear from you. I hope you are well! I still hope to visit Sweden sometime soon. Keep in touch please!

[@DonCarter-h1e]

Do you sell your whiskey cups & if so how can I buy one?

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Yes! I’m about to update my online store over the next couple of days. Do you have instagram? I will be letting my subs know here on YT but will be also letting followers know on Instagram. I will also add more to the store in the spring too

[@DonCarter-h1e]

@@samuelalexandershapes

[@samuelalexandershapes]

@@DonCarter-h1e I will be updating tomorrow at 8pm Central European Standard Time

[@lukibasel4922]

great video. Shame about the traffic noise. I found that quite irritating. Maybe a better microphone helps?

[@PeriodWoodworker]

You should read about the toxicity of walnut before you drink from it -especially alcohol.

[@samuelalexandershapes]

Whilst English walnut and back walnut have had reports of mild skin irritation when working with them, usually green, reactions are very low and the wood in certainly considered low in toxicity. Black walnut produces a chemical called ‘juglone’ that has been known to be toxic to some plants and animals and is found in all parts of the tree, especially the buds and bark. The seasoned wood is considered to be safe and is commonly used for chopping boards due to its high density. When a cup is treated with linseed oil, I create a natural barrier between the wood and the liquid too. There is a really great website called the wood database - www.wood-database.com that has always been an accurate source of reading when it comes to using new woods and toxicity. It is great to be mindful about toxic woods and definitely read up about them, but when you ‘read about the toxicity of walnut before you drink from it’ you’ll generally find that you’ll be fine. 💚

[@berndschlothauer7067]

Somehow nothing here is real. It looks like a casting show for dropouts. The KZbin algorithm will like it. I'd rather stay away from here.

[@samuelalexandershapes]

I don’t understand

[@petersmedley459]

@@samuelalexandershapesNeither do I, I don’t think we’re supposed to…responding to generosity in sharing your talent in commenting with meanness is not an understandable response. I don’t believe for one moment that the issue lies with you. Thankyou for sharing your time with us, it is precious.

[@samuelalexandershapes]

@@petersmedley459 thank you friend

[@petersmedley459]

@ You’re very welcome! You put a lot of time and dedication into your craft, learning and refining-it shows. To top that, you put further time and energy into making, editing and publishing excellent video (no small amount of time investment). The quality is evident in both what you make and the presentation. From a jeweller to a green woodworker, it didn’t sit right to let an unwarranted comment pass without challenge. Having just discovered your work, I look forwards to discovering more!

[@samuelalexandershapes]

@ 🙏💚 solidarity in the craft world. This is very kind. Thank you so much.