My First Kuksa & Kuksa Art by Taya Yanota | Bjørn Andreas Bull-Hansen

[@juzuk8177]

It will be waterproof after u oil it... U can use "linolje" or just your normal cooking oil and let it soak in, and after 3-4 treatments it will be waterproof... BTW carved my first one at the age of 7 or 8... in shop class... :-)

[@melaniewestberg2886]

-4Carl, Linseed oil will catalyze (harden) naturally. Cooking oil will spoil and affect the taste of contents. BTW, what is the point of a wood eating utensil, perhaps I am missing something. I like to carve the faces of forest sprites while I am walking my wife, she rests, I carve. when the face/bust is done, I stick it in a crack of a rough barked tree.

[@Woodswalker1965]

Hello Bjorn, the kuksa you made looks beautiful and very natural. The "professional" ones you bought are quite stunning as well.👍 I have actually owned that same folding pocketknife for about a year, it actually is very handy for the price. I've made a few spoons with it. Take care, Wade

[@winteriscoming5972]

Hi, good work with the carving ,in Finland we use freshly used coffee grounds from the bottom of the filter for waterproofing the kuksa and make that coffee strong:) . The coffee grease will make it waterproof just rub the coffee grounds about 3-5 minutes until its dry, after that you want to use that kuksa everyday for a month to increase the layer of grease. We also have a saying that you shouldnt wash the kuksa but only rinse in mountain rivers, it brings you bad luck to wash kuksa. I dont know of u guys already know this but im just saying:) greeting from Finland u earned a sub here.

[@BudTristano]

I plan on making one myself if I can ever find a downed birch tree with a burl on it. Question: I typed "kuksa" into a translator. Finnish comes back with "traditional wooden cup", but Norwegian and Swedish translations produce swear words. Might you know how these traditional wooden cups were named after "unsavory" words?

[@AbsoluuttinenTotuus]

​@@BudTristano Kuksa is actually an ancient word originated from Finno-Ugric. We didn't take a Swedish word for c*ck and decide that to be a name for a type of drinking cup. Remember Sámi were in Scandinavia way before the Norse ;)

[@BudTristano]

@@AbsoluuttinenTotuus Awesome! Thank you for clarifying.

[@AbsoluuttinenTotuus]

@@BudTristano You're welcome. Glad to see someone who is open to learn something new. :)

[@daveyjoweaver5183]

I am a wood worker Bjorn and for your first carved piece, I think you did a great job. Believe me, I've seen first projects that make yours look fine. You can be proud of that cup and what you learned from the first will make the next better. I also well know what you mean about being therapy. When you are focused on a piece of wood, part of the soul of a tree, you are working from pure spirit and honoring the tree. I bark tan hides that friends give me and turn them into leather from tree bark. Bark that I find from fallen limbs or tree that blew down in a storm. I never use live wood from a living tree here in my woods. And it tanning a hide I feel I am honoring the animal that sacrificed their life for someone to eat. Them I use the leather to make things, sacred things for others or myself with the spirit of the animal within. Thank You Kindly and I very much respect you for the respect you have for the forest and Mother Earth! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania

[@wadejustanamerican1201]

Beautiful, very satisfying to make something with your own hands. Yours is perfect for camping and you made it.

[@mike_outdoors4918]

Great work Bjorn, fascinating video. Your skills are great. Those ones you bought though look far too goo to use, so beautiful. Thanks Bjorn 😃👍

[@jamesmiddleton6464]

Congratulations on your first kuksa! Hopefully the first of many. Happy carving.

[@kenprepp7259]

I think it's awesome!!! If you don't like it, I'll take it :) It being hand made makes it beautiful art. Wish I had that kind of patience. Perhaps I should try, looks relaxing. Good job !!

[@NSAJ33]

I know the feeling with carving. It's called widdling here in the states. Like the beard and hair man. I'm growing out mine also.

[@jeremynorman5329]

As others have written Bjorn, you made your kuksa. A piece of work linked to man's oldest times. Carved, not machine made. Just wonderful.

[@danenglishoutside443]

I started making a kuksa and tried to cheat by using seasoned ash which was hard work and it started splitting . I've now got some green ash to try. Cheers.

[@SteveWFitch]

Great work on your kuksa, Bjorn! Really love those kuksa! She did amazing work

[@CIA-M]

Beautiful pieces. Love the rustic and natural look

[@philw8049]

I don’t know what it is but I find kuksa and things of that nature very beautiful.

[@garychynne1377]

the wood is a lovely color but the water is probably seeping along the grain like in a living tree. burnishing may help close the pores. interesting problem. thank yew have fun gare

[@jimiwhat79]

So a kuksa is a traditional Sami drinking cup I just read on Wikipedia, I gues all people used to make there cups like this at some point. Nice thing to make!

[@AbsoluuttinenTotuus]

Sámi and Finns were the ones who kept the tradition. So that probably explains it.

[@elwynsmith5092]

My first kusksa cracked so I use it to fill my bird feeder -ha

[@tazsworld9693]

Congratulations on your kuksa both the ones you payed for and the one you are crafting thanks for the vid Bjorn you looked quite happy

[@citizenx1602]

Hi Bjorn! Why you didnt use 'specialized woodcarving knives? There are some cheap but very good Mora you can start with, like straight blades Mora 106 (or Erik Frost 105), Mora 120, Mora 122 and hook knives like Mora 162, 163 and 164. They are very useful for kuksa or spoon making .

[@cimbrerbushcraft-vikingheritag]

Beautiful Kuksa’s 👍🏻😁 I’ve got to get one of those Thanks Bjørn for sharing this. Hope all is well at your place my friend 😉

[@maggiewolf9284]

Taya's kuksas' are beautiful as you say and thank you for the link - a wonderful artist. However please don't underestimate your own. Had I only seen Taya's I would never have considered being able to make one myself. Yours may be more modest, but watching you make it, seeing it develop, inspired me and I am sure others to try making one of our own. That my friend is priceless. P.s. Spring IS coming. x

[@wickedwolfwood9077]

I love carving. Even if I'm not making anything in particular. Very meditative to concentrate on a single task. Great hand workout too. Your piece looks great. Birch is an interesting wood. For myself it's a satisfying wood to make things with. Persevere my friend.

[@DavidBrown-ue3wq]

Dear Bjorn, Thanks for the great video. I have just watched a video on sharpening a hook knife and the gentleman sharpened the inside of the curve?? I bought a Hook knife from mora and its is sharpened (Bevelled) on the outside of the curve. What do you find is better ?? Dave from Australia

[@JimRodgers]

I'd like to make a kuksa for myself, but I have many questions about the process. Looking forward to seeing the progression of your work, Bjorn!

[@rosemaryburnside7942]

Reminds me of a wooden spoon I made at college woodwork class, it ended up looking more like a spade! But I used it to mix ingredients when making Christmas cake at home for few years. My grandfather gave my dad a dark wood walking stick he had carved, it had a man's head with birds, animals and various symbols on it. Unfortunately an old aunt demanded it, years after granddad had died and it disappeared. My grandfather's father was a Norwegian sailor/farmer who farmed on a small Island of County Down coast N.Ireland.

[@JohnGault2398]

Have a look at Zed Outdoors channel. He has some great demonstration and instructional videos about greenwood carving. I agree about it being therapeutic, I started carving nearly 2 years ago when I was put off work because of a heart issue. I was unable to do much physically and was going crazy with boredom. I saw a video on Zed's channel about spoon carving and thought "I can do that." So I got a few basic tools and have been doing it since.

[@VuurBarbaar]

sir... io am watching your vids for a week now.... and found my self in the woods with an difrent perspective, also trying to make something from wood but failed hard this time! ill try again soon ofcourse, nothing stops me. i just want to say thank you so mutch for your videos! they mean a lot for me personaly, so far i dont watch youtubers or bloggers you are the only one becous whell..... a lot i dont know how to say it cous i am not english.(dutch/friesian ) i hope you have a lot of love and kindness in life, heck with it i see you have! i hope you have lots of love and kindness from you woman as whell! and kids ps i LOVE your books! i am starting to make my own book about the "viking" era hope i can ask you some stuff that you want to answer but if not i understand. mutch greetings from a viking from Terschelling. (yes i did plunder a bit in my young age with a ship so viking is legit)

[@HuntsFood]

@Bjorn Andreas Bull-Hansen What oil did you use to water proof/seal your Kuksa? Would walnut oil be safe? Thanks for sharing.

[@frederikrijpma1255]

Beautifull kuksa's Bjorn. But of topic now. I was wondering, do you heat your house with a wood stove? Like the video, im also looking forward to the spring season. Already had some warmer weather here in the Netherlands but it doesnt seem to stay yet.

[@greyareaRK1]

Beautiful pieces, but what is kuksa? Is it hand carving, or does it mean something else?

[@jasontanner4042]

Don't cut towards yourself. Your thumb will thank you.

[@christopheroakes9296]

Not too bad for Your first kuksa Bjorn. You have inspired Me to get back into wood carving again. I am going to try and get some birch soon. Right now I have some oak.

[@TheLidlClan]

Hi Bjorn. Your kuksa looks great I think the sides could be a little thinner and carve it in nice green wet wood. When finished dry it very slow in a cool damp place or it will split. If it takes you time to make wrap it in a plastic bag when not working on it. I have done two kuksas and about thirty spoons. Also have a go at whittling very calming . I sat by the river Thames UK as the tide came in whittling a small horse very Chilled

[@joshuasander447]

I'm ready for spring too. Just had ourselves another 15 inches of snow added over the weekend here in Minnesota. I am looking forward to getting outside and finding myself, and finding the perfect piece of wood for carving.

[@gunsmore4584]

Hii Sir Zane here again hehe....this kuksa for a first time is really cool I wish I could have one ur carving skills are good for a first time and Yes I Did enjoy the video thank u very much Sir have a great day👑

[@babbscreekbushcraft7660]

Yours is yours. There is none other like it in creation. The others are beautiful. But the functions are the same. Be proud of your accomplishments. Honestly I'd rather have one like yours.

[@maryannhicks7829]

I like your kuksa. It is the perfect size for small hands. I want to make some for my grandchildren

[@sctogtr]

Your kuksa should be waterproof if you finish it with a few coats of oil. I prefer a food safe mineral oil, but olive oil or vegetable oil will work as well. I like the mineral oil because it won't go rancid like cooking oils can. I think your kuksa has come out just fine. A little sanding, some oil, and I think it will look very good for a first attempt.

[@althiel01]

Coincidentally, I bought that Schrade knife recently too 🙂 I sharpened it a little, because I wasn't completely happy with the edges. I also made the straight blade's bevel a little higher, so it would carve better. And if you are interested, I recommend a book on kuksa carving from Paul Adamson (also bought it on Etsy). It is small but nice, and has very interesting troubleshooting tips 😁 Happy carving 👍

[@CanadianSledDog]

At least you don't live in Edmonton, Canada! We just came out of the deep freeze and there's 3 feet of snow everywhere!

[@charlieallen2558]

Your small kuksa is beautiful. It looks like it was made by a man sitting next to a camp fire. As it was and should.

[@bobhead6243]

Always remember to work with the wood , never against the grain ,and you can't go far wrong , linseed oil is good for sealing wood .

[@doneanddone4952]

Pine or Birch pitch should take care of the leak. I am sure the problem came up even a thousand years ago.

[@jimmycusetownprepardness578]

Very interesting definitely want to take this art . Very nice job inspired me to want to try

[@MrInsaint]

Thank you Bjørn Andreas, you inspire again👍🙏⚔️

[@TomokosEnterprize]

Wonderful pieces my friend. They are just great ! Good to see you today.

[@kerrymcmanus9188]

Very nice work,maybe you could soak yours in hot bees wax

[@SueGirling68]

I love your Kuksa, the other two Kuksa's look like they were oiled. xx

[@nm-ge4tb]

👍👍🧔All good again Bjorn👍👍

[@SpiritForest]

Tanya kuska are wonderful!! It is truly a work of art. Yours is also a work of art ... I love trying new things. Thanks for sharing, I was wondering how it going.

[@leelowe4388]

i super love your coffee mug❤

[@richarddanforth1564]

Looks very good Bjorn congrats

[@GlobalDrifter1000]

You need to bone it to make it waterproof.

[@StolenPw]

That scarf is beautiful

[@bethetruth6428]

They are Beautiful and Beautifully Crafted with Love B

[@Westwalker51]

Very nice work! You have inspired me to take up a carving project. Your Viking/Camping information is very relaxing and welcome🧙🏻‍♂️ Do you in your daily life follow a low carbohydrate diet? I was impressed With your tree climbing ability. Cheers! Elmer Carlson Seattle, Wa.

[@BudTristano]

Great job for a first attempt! I plan on making one myself if I can ever find a downed birch tree with a burl on it. Question: I typed "kuksa" into a translator. Finnish comes back with "traditional wooden cup", but Norwegian and Swedish translations produce swear words. Might you know how these traditional wooden cups were named after "unsavory" words?

[@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen]

Thanks! Concerning the translation, they were not named after those words, haha. It's just almost the same word.

[@BudTristano]

@@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen Thank you for all you do. Your videos are great and I appreciate your views on life and the crazy world we are all living in. I'm already a subscriber and I look forward to your new videos.

[@Raven8481]

I know what you mean about the depressing weather. Here, in Northern USA, we're having the same kind of weather. I, too, am waiting for the Spring. Excellent kuksa btw!

[@col8179]

Danish oil bud

[@mrsorepaws9146]

Njord (or Njörðr) is messing with us, here up north! Haven't really done much carving myself, but I do suspect it will have the same therapeutic effect as sharpening a knife. Focus on the little things, and that heavier stuff goes away - at least to give you a respite. That little multitool looks handy though. I only have knives myself, and those won't do much good inside a kuksa or whatever one want to make.

[@georgechambers5896]

Hello Bjorn I hope you enjoyed your trip here to Northumberland where its also having some snow today..I think I will try to make a Kuksa it sounds very relaxing, thanks for sharing your wood carving with us

[@tombrown879]

I love the way your Kuksa turned out. Just keep coating it with edible oils, and it will seal up. You will have to learn another skill, and do some Kolrosing on it. I am glad that you found another way to calm your soul by carving. so even if the weather is depressing. you can be happy carving away.:)

[@kevinlittle9483]

I got a Kuksa today!

[@WyrdWoodsIreland]

Great wood working skills Bjørn, your Kuksa looks awesome and has character👍 I am sure if I tried to do that I would just make a pile of fantastic sawdust :D I will definitely check out that ladies Etsy store, thanks for the recommendation.🌲

[@brucematys6064]

It is very relaxing, but I like the fact that you have created something. It's like you brought it out of the wood, set it free.! Cheers Bjorn!

[@pumpkinmacabre]

It looks good! And I agree on the work of art part. Maybe you could use a little mixture of linseed oil and beeswax to waterproof it? Let it soak in and it’ll get into the pores of the wood, whilst being relatively food safe (daughter of a cabinet maker and wood lover here 😊). Keep on the good work, these wood carving videos are very relaxing.

[@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen]

Kara, I have oiled it many times, but I will try with the wax now. Thanks for the advice!

[@pumpkinmacabre]

Edit: No worries, I hope it works! I must admit, linseed oil can take ages to dry/cure. Boiled Linseed oil works better but it’s not food safe. Experimenting is part of the fun. Your Kuksa looks great nonetheless and it’s your first attempt! I’ll make sure to check Taya Yanota’s store, we need more wood bowls and such for our kit. Good luck!! 👍🏻🤞🏻😅

[@stevebuckler9354]

great job

[@walking-the-world1]

Love the video as always. I can vouch for you when you said carving is relaxing. I recently started carving (well, shaping with an axe and then sanding). I carved my own axe handle as my first project. You can see it on my new Instagram: @bushcraft_wild_camping Hope to see some more carving projects! Also I am looking forward to your next camping video

[@snaphappy1977]

Totally agree about carving, been practicing for a month so far and am loving it. Mostly doing relief carving but did do my wife a love spoon for Valentine's day :) great kuksa by the way Bjorn.

[@FishyPOL]

Bjorn, your kuksa looks great for your first time. Well done my friend. I share your wish for spring to arrive. Usually, I love winter but this year I have been longing for the sun to arrive. I look forward to see what you make next :)

[@dbitgood1]

Lovely!

[@mz.6109]

Beautiful and Sturdy! Thank you greatly for sharing your knowledge and this great art form that fits good for function as well as looks amazing! My husband has started carving and Im excited to see him and I try one of these after putting that work into it from ones own hands. Yes we too went from nice and feeling Ostara to raining and cold. I even had to put off starting my cedar beds. It will get brighter as the wheel turns my Friend. Have a great weekend Bjorn!

[@catcruise146]

WOW.. nice👍

[@maschinemademan9053]

Hello from North Carolina! You and a few others have inspired me to make a kuksa. Love your videos. Thank you 🍻

[@michiganmikeupnorth]

Wood working is therapy for me too. I always feel better after working on a project.

[@dcslapout5697]

Beautiful cup. Do you treat the wood or seal it. Just wondering if it every cracks

[@ozdavemcgee2079]

Whether its crap or good, your first carving is always awesome👍

[@shauncarl9535]

I like your kuksa. I've never carved before and I hope mine at least looks as good as yours.

[@blueshadow3291]

La vie est si belle

[@logya]

Hi Bjorn , i will not say anything bad on your work as long as i'm not able to do better ...lol . ; )

[@MichaelR58]

Bjorn, thanks for sharing, you did great. I have yet to get one , but look forward to getting one .

[@jennyvikgarcia1075]

My friend the process of creating something out of wood it is therapeutic and very good for the soul.

[@jakescott1999]

The first time I saw a kuksa was from one of your videos, it honestly inspired me to want to make my own kuksa soon.

[@northernraven2939]

Well done for your first one my friend. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next

[@chrischapman699]

What's the best soft wood for carving a kuksa ?

[@tumbleweed6612]

How is your pocket knife called?

[@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen]

Tumbleweed66 It’s a Schrade Oldtimer.

[@tumbleweed6612]

@@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen < Thanks its a nice knife. Got mine today

[@raymondroberts7490]

I like your kuksa the best, because of how much energy you put into making it yourself, and because you brought us along on the journey from tree to kuksa. It's great you have Taya's kuksas as something to aim for, they are beautiful. You are right about creating something, Bjørn, it is very calming. That snow and rain must have followed you back from England, lol. I'm sure Spring will come soon.

[@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen]

I hope for spring and I want it now... Thanks for your kind words about my kuksa!

[@brettsayers7768]

3s practice, patients and perseverance the key to any hobby or endeavour. Great Kuksa Bjorn, probably better than i could do. Blacksmithing is my thing to ease my mind and relax.

[@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen]

Blacksmithing is great. Wish I had time and room for a forge.

[@Donut.Runner]

Good looking Kuksa Bjorn! I just started into carving myself, I agree that it is a very calming experience. I'm currently working on a spoon. It's always a pleasure watching your videos 👍

[@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen]

Thanks! Best of luck with your spoon carving!

[@emenstravels7023]

Your Kuksa looks great! And thank you for the lesson.

[@JoeDeerRunner]

Nice one! I'm planning making one from either almond or oak

[@richstone2627]

If you drink like a Viking then you won't have to worry about your Kuksa sweating. Thanks for sharing.

[@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen]

That is true!

[@mtstream55n]

I think Kuksas are just beautiful!

[@kenlewallen1676]

that's awesome and inspiring me to give it a try!

[@walking-the-world1]

Back to being first 😉

[@FishyPOL]

You beat me!

[@walking-the-world1]

Matty Claxton sorry 😂. I was first a few times in a row in the past so I thought I’d reclaim my crown 😉

[@kaiabea280]

Your Kuksa looks lovely, looks very comfortable to hold 👍

[@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen]

Kaia, it actually is. I will try to do something similar in future kuksas as well.

[@robmorris7667]

i think you seal them to make them waterproof by soaking them in boiled linseed oil?

[@ThomasPaineintheArse]

Nice work, brother.