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T H E H A N D C A R V E D B O W L

Chapter 1 | H A R V E S T

affected by its grain. In the future,

the half with the branch would

be scrapped but the other half, if

clear, could still potentially yield a

bowl blank.

MOVING THE LOGS

Small logs may be able to be

dragged out with rope alone,

or a rope attached to a sled. To

move material without a sled,

use a heavy-duty rope wrapped

around the log, about a foot or so

in from one end, and use a basic

knot to tighten. As you pull, the

weight of the log will tighten this

setup even further, even if the rope

is a little loose. If you put the rope

too close to the end, it may slip off

as you’re pulling. In the winter, use

a sled to pull logs over the snow.

This setup can also be adapted for

a dry sled, but the terrain needs to

be fairly tame.

Rough terrain may require end-

over-ending a log like a CrossFit

fanatic. Use your legs, engage

your core, and know your limits.

If you happen to get reception in

this wooded area you find yourself

in, call and schedule a massage.

I have actually done this and did

not regret it.

SEAL THE ENDS

Seal the ends of each log either

before or after loading, whichev-

er is easier. Old paint, wax, and

Anchorseal are all good options for

sealing, but I find old paint to be

the cheapest and easiest. Unless

you have an enclosed truck bed

or something similar, the logs will

be exposed to a lot of wind while

being transported, and this helps

to prevent moisture loss during the

trip back to their final storage spot.

Use a plastic bag to wrap the used

paintbrush so it can be washed out

later. I paint the ends before I load

them, no matter what the circum-

stance. The first coat of sealant on

the ends of the logs dries during

the drive back, and if the logs will

be stored for longer than a few

months, a second coat can be add-

ed once they’ve been situated.

PREVENT MOVEMENT IN

TRANSIT

Place wedges against the sides of

the logs to prevent rolling during

transport, and padding against

the back and tailgate of the truck.

If needed, use ratchet straps to

further prevent movement. Drive

slowly, with no sudden stops or

acceleration.

STORAGE

Store the logs in the shade, out of the wind, placed on a few boards to keep them off the

ground. Mark the harvest date on a calendar to keep track of how long the logs have been

sitting; it’s amazing how memory alone can distort this timeline.

Sealing the freshly cut ends of a

log can slow the drying enough to

minimize checking and allow you

to store the log for a number of

months, maybe even a year. I’ve

heard tales of people using logs

up to two years after felling them.

This range is based on a number

of factors: species, how quickly

the log was sealed after being

felled, environment, and proper

storage. I use logs as quickly as

I can, and only harvest as much

wood as I feel I’ll have time for in

the next six months. This gives me

some leeway in case any projects

get pushed back, which happens

frequently.

I keep an eye on all of the

logs I have stored; if one log end

happens to start checking more

quickly than I anticipated, it gets

bumped closer to the front of

the line.