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

Chapter 2 | T O O L S

GRINDS—SYMMETRICAL

OR ASYMMETRICAL?

Some axe makers, such as Grans-

fors Bruk (GB), offer symmetrical

and asymmetrical grinds, which

can be intended for either right- or

left-handed carvers. This means

one side has a longer and flatter

bevel while the other is shorter

and more steep. (D) The theory

is that a flatter grind on the side

opposing your dominant hand will

allow for easier access to the mate-

rial. In some cases, this is entirely

true that a flatter bevel will help,

but much can be done without

this slight advantage, and for most

people, a symmetrical grind is all

that’s needed. (E)

DON’T WAIT FOR THE

PERFECT TOOL

When I was getting started, there

was an axe shortage and all I could

find was a GB with a short grind

on the left side and a flat grind on

the right—a left-hander’s axe, and

supposedly the exact opposite of

what I’d want as a righty. I bought

it anyway because I wanted to get

working, and for the next several

years that was the only axe I used.

I include this because I hear

about so many people who want to

wait for the perfect tool, or just the

right material, and though I think

there are obvious advantages and

scenarios in which to be discern-

ing, such as safety, lots of people

are cheating themselves from get-

ting any experience at all purely

because the circumstances aren’t

100% optimal. This also affords

you an opportunity to refurbish

old or subpar tools, which gives

you firsthand insight into why

certain characteristics do or don’t

work so well. Once you’re able to

upgrade, those experiences will

give you a sincere appreciation for

the wares of talented tool makers.

Buy the best you can, but don’t let

an imperfect tool or material get in

the way of actually carving.

RECOMMENDED MAKERS

Gransfors Bruks Swedish Carving Axe,

Robin Wood Carving Axe, Julia Kaltoff,

Nic Westermann, Hans Karlsson, Svante

Djarv, Caleb Nolan, Joshua Burrell, Peter

Ross. Maine Coast Craft School may also

offer a selection of small makers.

D

E