See how easily you can make a wooden cup with fire!

What we're going to do today is make a wooden cup, but instead of carving it we're going to burn it out using traditional woodworking methods. We're using a grow-over, or what some might call a burl, from maple tree. We submerge the hard maple into a container of water and weigh down the edges to keep the top of the wood on the same level as the water. Then we place charcoal on the wood and burn it out. The water seeps into the wood and keeps it from completely burning away. When the cup is burned as far as we want it Brian scrapes out the charcoal with the leg bone of a deer and then finishes with a knife. Brian also shows us how to whittle a toggle and braid a deerskin cord to hang the cup from your belt. The toggle, or netsuke (pronounced “netsky”), is from a piece of rock maple turned on a lathe in such a way that when you cut a piece off it looks like a bear.
Please subscribe to the channel and let us know in the comments what projects you'd like to see next. (In which case, you ought to enabled notifications through the bell icon, as well.)
Brian Stockman is a master carver with a deep knowledge of traditional wood, stone, bone, and ivory carving.
MUSIC:
Navajo Night by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: audionautix.com/

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks for watching! Please subscribe to the channel and let us know what projects you'd like to see videos of. Subscribe link: kzbin.info/door/l07HDk9U1UTbrof7UVeoDA

[@LucasRichardStephens]

I have enjoyed your channel content today while I was whittling on an Ash-wood bow (potentially), and you ask about projects for the future... can you do a film on your kilts? And your shoes? All the best from Norway, Lucas (I have a channel too).

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks! I just subscribed to your channel and enjoyed your new video on making skis. Full disclosure this is Max writing, the younger guy, not Brian with the kilt. 😉 We have discussed doing videos on making traditional clothing and garb so we probably will do that. Brian does make his own shoes and we have various leather projects planned as well (such as knife sheaths).

[@LucasRichardStephens]

@@StockmanOriginal Clothes and especially to make my own shoes has been my great wish for many years now, if I get quarantined, maybe now is the time to have a go. All the best!

[@andrewbeare6961]

great video

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks! This was the first video we ever did, actually.

[@danjaguar126]

My mouth fell open when I saw the Wheel Of Bears, genius!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey Dan, Isn’t that cool . I saw that on an old postcard from Germany, had to try it myself. Think Noah’s ark, you can get 30 or so critters off each wheel!

[@MrZeagans]

@@StockmanOriginal love this video. I've tried dry carving a wooden cup before but gave up because of how long it was taking. This burn in method looks great! For the bears, is that just a standard spiral stair rail newel cap?!? 😲 Because that's an amazing head start.... Just saw your video short about turning the bear wheel on a lathe 👍😊

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey Moshe Reviczky, we appreciate you checking us out, thank you. I saw that wheel of critters when l was a kid on some old post cards from Germany in the 50s. We’re going to do a video on that soon, I hope.

[@scotttaxdal7847]

Mass production of the bear figures was amazing!!!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks Scott, we’re hoping to do a video on that soon.

[@jeffreyfrango9746]

Time to go make a cup 🙂

[@StockmanOriginal]

And it looks awesome!!

[@jsteelsadventureandvariety4545]

I often learn more than one trick per video🤔 very educational and inspiring Brian👍

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you Janson, it’s always a happy thing when I see you’ve commented!

[@jerryarm4160]

Being an old infantry myself, I appreciate the "Blue Cord" reference. Oorah!

[@glennwilliamson7911]

Very nice.

[@bettermemoirwritingmasterc4619]

Amazing!

[@Sheepdog1314]

very cool. Thank you....

[@Jackmtn]

Amazing video. Thanks for making it.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you!

[@MrMrGAsMASK]

That was so cool

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks OUTBACK SCOUT, glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikemagee77]

Excellent job!!!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks Mike, l appreciate that.

[@thebeeinthereeds9845]

So cool

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey BEE IN THE REEDS, l have not seen your name before, so happy you have found our channel!

[@cynthiadugan858]

Lovely result and so fun to watch you creating it. ❤️

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks, Cynthia! This was the first video, actually, that we made for this channel. It exciting how it still gets people watching it.

[@ZippedUpKitz]

That knot is called a Solomon knot... we use it in paracording and it’s also used in macrame as well.... That is a Beautiful cup and Bear toggle... I’m very impressed!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks, Holly!

[@ZippedUpKitz]

@@StockmanOriginal you are welcome!

[@bocah_hutanreal666]

Really....you're a legend.. I try to make my own kuksa....but I don't have the proper tools...your method makes it easier... I'll try....

[@StockmanOriginal]

Make a video so we can see!

[@bocah_hutanreal666]

@@StockmanOriginal I will do it master Brian.... now I find another great guy about woodworking!

[@dosfuegos]

Love the method! Think I’ll try make a big longer cup with Aussie wood... Cheers

[@mbostrom]

The environment and personal style is really cool...

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks for watching!

[@markirish7599]

Excellent information in the video thank you and best wishes from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@StockmanOriginal]

Ireland! Thank you for watching. Cheers! (We have a toast in the afternoon when it's 5 o'clock in Ireland.)

[@markirish7599]

@@StockmanOriginal what is the toast at 5 o'clock for

[@StockmanOriginal]

@@markirish7599 We generally toast to friendship and other good things. Example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpLYdqapbLN0rq8

[@RainbowMitten]

Great video! My first one of yours I've watched and I loved the whole vibe and setting. The extra step with the bear toggle was a treat!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey RainbowMitten, we’re so happy you found our channel!! Hope you enjoy all our videos and more to come. Thanks for watching!

[@therainbowram3336]

Recently my hands have been having a hard time. So using a coal like this makes me so happy. Because it is harder to do the cup part. Thank you!!!!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks for watching! Burning it out is definitely easier. Just pace yourself -- it's easy to get lightheaded if you're blowing on the embers. Of course, you could use a bellows... ;-)

[@therainbowram3336]

Stockman Original haha! That’s what I’m going to do! I have one surprisingly. Luckily nice and steady wins the race!! 😊

[@Marusija8]

KLASS..... !!!!!!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@blacksmithprinting1400]

Well, it wasnt an ice sculpture... Happy New Year! Huh. Heat sink under water, way back then! Those neat little knots are macrame. Guess you missed that 1970s "craft" that is really from sailors. Look it up and add to your skill library 😉

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey hello there Blacksmith Printer, HAPPY NEW YEAR! No, l don’t do ice anymore, five hours in the cold hunkered over a block of ice was not agreeing with my back at all. You’re right, l didn’t get into macramé too much back then but l like tying knots and have since been told that the knot l used is called a Solomons knot. Thanks for checking in on us, we appreciate your support!

[@emilyrobinson6080]

I found a fairly large “knuckle” off an oak tree with some really beautiful interwoven grain in a neighbors field yesterday, it had been cut off to fit the log on a sawmill after they logged off. Mines maybe twice the size as the one in the video and imagine my luck when I found out that the entire encased limb was relatively soft and punky already and easily came out with some persuading from a chisel and ice pick. Currently ive got a large bowl carved out and have it wrapped up so as to not dry out too fast, im hoping to source a bent gouge somewhere to get the inside a bit smoother and have myself a nice bowl. Now just to figure out what to do about the tannins

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hello Emily, thanks for watching our channel, your support means a lot. Sounds like you’re well on your way to having a beautiful bowl. I get most of my gouges and such from Woodcraft at woodcraft. com. In regards to your concerns about the tannins, you could treat it as we did the drinking horn. Heat up some beeswax in the oven and then put your bowl in just long enough to warm it up then pour the wax in and gently slosh it around before you pour it back out. It must be beeswax, not paraffin. I would love to see it when you get done. Hope this helps, welcome to the tribe!

[@emilyrobinson6080]

@@StockmanOriginal the beeswax was something i had been considering, though im also playing with the idea of trying to stain the inside of the bowl by putting some iron oxide and hot water inside to see if the tannins wouldnt convert into a sort of in-situ vinegaroon. I managed to find a bent gouge at an antique tool seller’s booth in an antique mall on my way home and am eager to see how the carving will go. Ive also tossed around the idea of filling any cracks, should they appear (god forbid) eith a pewter inlay and perhaps some brass butterflies. Ive done pewter inlays in wood before to put my touchmark on the underside of salt flasks ive made, and I would imagine that would be quite striking visually. Regardless, it should be a neat little project and thanks for the reply. I love seeing the sort of stuff you turn out and its a major inspiration here in my own workshop.

[@fouroakscrafts7240]

Very cool tutorial! Does the burning process also help seal it so the cup will hold liquid or do you have to use any oils or additional steps to seal it?

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hello again, no the burning doesn’t seal it. It shouldn’t need sealing unless the burl or grow over has a hidden crack or something, which can be remedied with beeswax. Beeswax also helps to contain the charcoal, it’s a wonderful finish.

[@fouroakscrafts7240]

@@StockmanOriginal Thanks. I tried making one but it wasn't from a burl so I got some seepage when I poured coffee in it. I added some linseed oil and allowed several weeks to dry. That definitely helped.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Yes, burls and grow overs are best because the grain of the wood is kinda knitted together and straight grained wood tends to check or crack.

[@dansherman1980]

@@fouroakscrafts7240 I don’t recommend linseed oil for this application it turns rancid over time and becomes toxic. I usually use mineral oil but have been told walnut oil is excellent.

[@tonycollins2981]

Hey Brian do you have a pattern or something to make the bears on the lathe?

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hi, Tony, great question. You can do a sort of pattern. It's a little complicated. We will try to do a video on it. You can draw an outline of what you want to make, in this case a bear. Then bisect the outline horizontally top from bottom from tail to nose. Then mount your circular block on the lathe, and position two blocks of wood on either side of it, equally distant, and put the two halves of the pattern on top of each. (probably you should glue them on). The nose of the bear should be pointed toward the inside, the center of the block of wood. Then you use the lines of the pattern to guide how far to cut into the wood on the lathe. Hopefully that is somewhat useful. There's still a lot of eye work.

[@dansherman1980]

A butane torch greatly speeds up the process and localizes the burn a little better. Can also carbonize the outside for a nice finish.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hello dansherman1980, and welcome aboard. You are right and thanks for that. I use a propane torch in much the same way. In this episode I was trying to show how to accomplish it with very little to work with. It’s great to have you in our tribe.

[@1969sofine]

Nice skirt

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks Scott

[@sdqsdq6274]

i see many use it as coffee mug , wonder did they soak it , most wood does leak tannin , extra ingredient

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hello sdq sdq, thanks for checking us out!! I usually finish these noggins with bee’s wax and only drink cold stuff from them. I can see how hot drinks might bring out the tannins though.

[@Sheepdog1314]

I am making a quilled sheath, could you carve a wooden knife handle? Or antler...

[@StockmanOriginal]

We are actually working on a video on knife handles! Keep an eye out for it in the next little bit.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Max is making a handle from the burl of a cherry tree. And probably a second from moose antler.

[@kokialmiron2340]

Fucking awesome

[@andrewbeare6961]

your knot is called the cobra knot

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks Andrew,that’s cool to know. Someone also said it’s called a Solomon’s knot. I like both names but Cobra is really cool!

[@sickstaios8241]

R u native Or wompi Allie?

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hello Sicksta iOS, thanks for checking us out, we appreciate that! Yes, part native, part lrish, Scottish, English, and who knows what else ( kind of a mut ). What’s a wompi Allie, you never know l may be one of those as well!🤪

[@Jejakkami]

welkom to my chanel,