Thanks Mike for a brilliant and informative video. I’m a similar age to yourself and I just love CZcams for videos like this, as I can sit at home in London, UK 🇬🇧 and watch someone thousands of miles away show me great techniques for doing woodwork. Thank you, keep up the great work. Mike J
Hi, kuksa is from North Finland (Lapland) and it is traditionally carved using knives, not turned at all. Kuksa is always/typically made from juniper, that lasts due to its natural resins, has good antibacterial properties regarding hygiene, and is nice to carve and available in Lapland. Kuksa has a relatively sturdy handle often with one hole, but no matter the style the idea is that you can carry it with ease and its lightweight. Like hanging from your backpack or waist. It is kind of personal, like your toothbrush - if you drink water, no need to wash it because no one else uses it. Those made from juniper do not split - an important property regarding thatnit is used for drinking. Juniper smells so good! It is partially protected (those with a single treelike trunk, bushes are more common but not thick enough for kuksa). The Sami (? Saamelaiset in Finnish) people are (used to be) nomads herding reindeers and they did not have lathes... (The Sami people are the original nation in Lapland, way before vikings, finns, and the rest.) Lapland has a very limited species of wood available due to harsh conditions. They have their own species of white birch that only grows to about 5 cm diameter (and is protected). Birch splits a lot from moisture, not good for a drinking vessel. Fir grows in Lapland, but is not usable for such projects. Pine grows in southern Lapland but not suitable either. So, while it's totally fine to take artistic turns and use nontraditional techniques, I just wanted to send greetings from Finland and explain the tradition bit more. Learning what a kuksa is from woodturners in California is not that authentic... 😅 I am not from Lapland but Finnish and even my understanding may have limitations. Regarding the tools, Ukrainian BeaverCraft makes really nice knives for spoon carving and a deep round ones that are designed for kuksa and you can also buy a set of knives. And at these difficult times, let's support ukranian businesses, what a great excuse to buy a set! (Also, Finland is not technically part of Scandinavia, which is Denmark, Sweden and Norway, but we identify culturally with them and the west, not to the east... the correct (or the one preferred by us) term is Nordic countries, which is Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Denmark. Scandinavia refers to the peninsula in which the three countries are, Nordic countries refers to the five North European countries which share cultural characteristics and close location. Anyhow, we Finns don't mind being considered Scandinavians, because that is our cultural positioning anyway. After going to such detail regarding the kuksa I might as well note this too, although a sure side track for the topic. 😂) Greetings from Finland, and I really have enjoyed your tutorials, as a newbie turner I find them so clear and insightful. ❤
Thanks for taking the time to share. I did not understand the distinction between Nordic and Scandinavian and alwasy enjoying learning something new. I had a Finnish penpal when I was in high school. As a bit of a military history buff, it was interesting to me how the Finns kicked the Russian Army's s butt in the 1939 winter war. I did a bit of research re: Kuksa before making my video and understood the woodcarving tradition and recognized that Kuksa were not turned on a lathe and certainly not made from cherry burl! And welcome to NATO!
@@MikePeaceWoodturning Just wanted to share about the tradition. I believe in artistic freedom and creativity. Some people want to experience a very authentic process, others make a modern twist, but it all comes down to craftsmanship and love of creating something beautiful. Thanks for the welcome note, feels good to belong. Our military systems have been Nato-compatible since like the 90's, so able to move fast in this unfortunate time window. We appreciate the swift process, and our hearts are with the people who suffer in Ukraine.
Outstanding. Just a beautiful piece. I love your videos, because you name the tool and the grind that you're using, you tell us how you are orienting it and how you approach the piece on the lathe with it, and you usually tell us what speed you have set your lathe at. You are truly teaching as well as displaying craftsmanship that we all love to observe. Keep on turning and thank you!
Mike, well done....a rather advanced project with lots of different techniques. I have seen these before but never had any inclination to make one. The end result is really beautiful....Sam
Amazing and beautiful piece Mike. That was a great video demonstrating how to make one of those. I have wanted to make one for quite some time but didn’t want to have a separate handle that would later be attached but did really know how to go about the entire shaping of one other than the cutting on the bandsaw and hollowing the inside. I just thought that it seemed much more difficult than what you made it seem. I have turned plenty of pieces that have had limbs or extremities such as that sticking out to where I’m familiar with turning a good amount of air so that wouldn’t make me nervous at least with turning something like that.
Very nice Kuksa, Mike! You raised my pucker factor a little at the 15:28 mark - LOL. It turned out really nice. I made one of these using the Arbor Tech ball gouge tool and a Dremel. Mine was not a burl, but I did let it soak in some flaxseed oil and then let it "cure" It seemed to hold a cup of coffee okay, but some still seeped out. I'm going to have to give it a try on the lathe. Thanks for the instruction.
Great looking coffee cup. I would drink coffee in it even if the inside becomes stained or whatever; I’m sure your son will remember you as he drinks and more importantly keep you in his prayers. It doesn’t do any real good just sitting on a self.
Interesting video, Mike. Thanks! Just a thought about maybe getting a pro video light and maybe a lapel Mic for talking while you're turning. Thanks again!
Gorgeous video! Will the Mahoney's finish hold up to coffee? And is it food safe? Very curious what finish you would use on a cup/kuksa that was going to be used as a coffee mug
I am not sure if any finish will hold up to coffee but what if it doesn't? I have been using a wood cereal bowl for 9 years. Prevailing wisdom is any finish is food safe after it cures. They all become inert. Even those like mineral oil that do not cure are considered food safe. I gave this to my son so will not have any first hand experience with cofee unless I make another one.
Hi Mike, thank you for all your great videos. Can you make a drinking mug out of spruce? I’m from north central Canada and pretty much all we have here are spruce and Aspen Poplar? Thanks Mike
Thanks Mike for a brilliant and informative video. I’m a similar age to yourself and I just love CZcams for videos like this, as I can sit at home in London, UK 🇬🇧 and watch someone thousands of miles away show me great techniques for doing woodwork. Thank you, keep up the great work. Mike J
Great to hear! Thanks for your support.
Hi, kuksa is from North Finland (Lapland) and it is traditionally carved using knives, not turned at all. Kuksa is always/typically made from juniper, that lasts due to its natural resins, has good antibacterial properties regarding hygiene, and is nice to carve and available in Lapland. Kuksa has a relatively sturdy handle often with one hole, but no matter the style the idea is that you can carry it with ease and its lightweight. Like hanging from your backpack or waist. It is kind of personal, like your toothbrush - if you drink water, no need to wash it because no one else uses it. Those made from juniper do not split - an important property regarding thatnit is used for drinking. Juniper smells so good! It is partially protected (those with a single treelike trunk, bushes are more common but not thick enough for kuksa).
The Sami (? Saamelaiset in Finnish) people are (used to be) nomads herding reindeers and they did not have lathes... (The Sami people are the original nation in Lapland, way before vikings, finns, and the rest.) Lapland has a very limited species of wood available due to harsh conditions. They have their own species of white birch that only grows to about 5 cm diameter (and is protected). Birch splits a lot from moisture, not good for a drinking vessel. Fir grows in Lapland, but is not usable for such projects. Pine grows in southern Lapland but not suitable either.
So, while it's totally fine to take artistic turns and use nontraditional techniques, I just wanted to send greetings from Finland and explain the tradition bit more. Learning what a kuksa is from woodturners in California is not that authentic... 😅 I am not from Lapland but Finnish and even my understanding may have limitations.
Regarding the tools, Ukrainian BeaverCraft makes really nice knives for spoon carving and a deep round ones that are designed for kuksa and you can also buy a set of knives. And at these difficult times, let's support ukranian businesses, what a great excuse to buy a set!
(Also, Finland is not technically part of Scandinavia, which is Denmark, Sweden and Norway, but we identify culturally with them and the west, not to the east... the correct (or the one preferred by us) term is Nordic countries, which is Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Denmark. Scandinavia refers to the peninsula in which the three countries are, Nordic countries refers to the five North European countries which share cultural characteristics and close location. Anyhow, we Finns don't mind being considered Scandinavians, because that is our cultural positioning anyway. After going to such detail regarding the kuksa I might as well note this too, although a sure side track for the topic. 😂)
Greetings from Finland, and I really have enjoyed your tutorials, as a newbie turner I find them so clear and insightful. ❤
Thanks for taking the time to share. I did not understand the distinction between Nordic and Scandinavian and alwasy enjoying learning something new. I had a Finnish penpal when I was in high school. As a bit of a military history buff, it was interesting to me how the Finns kicked the Russian Army's s butt in the 1939 winter war. I did a bit of research re: Kuksa before making my video and understood the woodcarving tradition and recognized that Kuksa were not turned on a lathe and certainly not made from cherry burl! And welcome to NATO!
@@MikePeaceWoodturning Just wanted to share about the tradition. I believe in artistic freedom and creativity. Some people want to experience a very authentic process, others make a modern twist, but it all comes down to craftsmanship and love of creating something beautiful.
Thanks for the welcome note, feels good to belong. Our military systems have been Nato-compatible since like the 90's, so able to move fast in this unfortunate time window. We appreciate the swift process, and our hearts are with the people who suffer in Ukraine.
Outstanding. Just a beautiful piece. I love your videos, because you name the tool and the grind that you're using, you tell us how you are orienting it and how you approach the piece on the lathe with it, and you usually tell us what speed you have set your lathe at. You are truly teaching as well as displaying craftsmanship that we all love to observe. Keep on turning and thank you!
Some of the very best turning tips and tricks on you tube.
Glad you think so!
Very nice piece Mike. 👍The cherry is wonderful. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂
Thanks, you too, Glen!
Looks great! That Handel is problematic for me at my stage, but I am going to keep this video because one I want to make it! Thank you!
Go for it when you ready. If you are just starting out, work on turning beads and coves to get basic tool control as shown here 44,473.96
Very nice video! I’m still too nervous turning with a handle, but someday..
Go for it!
Well done Mike, I am going to give that a try. Your video gave me a little confidence.
Go for it!
Mike, well done....a rather advanced project with lots of different techniques. I have seen these before but never had any inclination to make one. The end result is really beautiful....Sam
Thanks 👍 I made this for my son who is a camper.
@@MikePeaceWoodturning it is very cool, looks like there was lots and lots of carving.
Cool project Mike, thanks for sharing the process
Take care and stay safe and well
Cheers
Harold
Thanks, you too!
Pretty neat project. Thank you for sharing it Mike.
You bet
Thanks for the "how-to", Mike!
You bet!
That is cool. Thanks Mike 👌 I will add this to my list of things to try 😀
Please do!
Cool piece Mike.
Thanks, Victor.
Very beautiful Mike.
Glad you like it!
Amazing and beautiful piece Mike. That was a great video demonstrating how to make one of those. I have wanted to make one for quite some time but didn’t want to have a separate handle that would later be attached but did really know how to go about the entire shaping of one other than the cutting on the bandsaw and hollowing the inside. I just thought that it seemed much more difficult than what you made it seem. I have turned plenty of pieces that have had limbs or extremities such as that sticking out to where I’m familiar with turning a good amount of air so that wouldn’t make me nervous at least with turning something like that.
clearly turning is the easiest part. Final shaping takes the time.
Wow, that look and sounds like a really knarly wood!
Actually, wet cherry, even burl cuts really easily.
Very cool project. Thanks!
Glad you like it!
Very nice Kuksa, Mike! You raised my pucker factor a little at the 15:28 mark - LOL. It turned out really nice. I made one of these using the Arbor Tech ball gouge tool and a Dremel. Mine was not a burl, but I did let it soak in some flaxseed oil and then let it "cure" It seemed to hold a cup of coffee okay, but some still seeped out. I'm going to have to give it a try on the lathe. Thanks for the instruction.
I hate it when a piece comes loose on the chuck!
Nice job
Thanks!
Great looking coffee cup. I would drink coffee in it even if the inside becomes stained or whatever; I’m sure your son will remember you as he drinks and more importantly keep you in his prayers. It doesn’t do any real good just sitting on a self.
Yes, the best woodturning gifts are the ones that get used and do not just collect dust on the shelf.
Interesting
Interesting video, Mike. Thanks!
Just a thought about maybe getting a pro video light and maybe a lapel Mic for talking while you're turning.
Thanks again!
Better light might be good. A lapel mic does not work well with a faceshield.
Is that just to look at Or is it functional? Really nice
Absolutely functional
Couldn't this be made with a large forstner bit, band saw and sandpaper?
Probably. Not sure of the advantage. You still need to clean away the divot from the bit with a scraper..
Gorgeous video! Will the Mahoney's finish hold up to coffee? And is it food safe? Very curious what finish you would use on a cup/kuksa that was going to be used as a coffee mug
I am not sure if any finish will hold up to coffee but what if it doesn't? I have been using a wood cereal bowl for 9 years. Prevailing wisdom is any finish is food safe after it cures. They all become inert. Even those like mineral oil that do not cure are considered food safe. I gave this to my son so will not have any first hand experience with cofee unless I make another one.
@@MikePeaceWoodturning Thanks Mike!
Hİ 👋👌👍👏
WELL DONE MIKE NICE PROJECT
Hi Mike, thank you for all your great videos. Can you make a drinking mug out of spruce? I’m from north central Canada and pretty much all we have here are spruce and Aspen Poplar?
Thanks Mike
You can always turn one. I cannot say how well it will hold liquid. Your finish can be a factor.