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Author Archives: stevetomlin
Perfecting reed-cutting techniques in Norfolk
In mid-December a few of us met to continue trials cutting reed with an Austrian scythe, and to help with the management of a local nature reserve. This was generously hosted by Richard Brown, who has a house just yards … Continue reading
Garden Sculpture
Another week of steam bending and finishing for a wooden sculpture which has been commissioned for a private garden in London. Working with Charlie Whinney, six lengths of high-quality ash board have been curled and twisted into an organic ribbon … Continue reading
Peening bench/ station
At the peening workshop, I discussed the importance of having a good peening station for your work. For consistent, accurate peening everything needs to be stable and solid with the force of the hammer blows being transmitted down to the … Continue reading
Restored hewing axe
The last time I was visiting my girlfriend in Austria we found a hewing axe blade rusting away outside in a chopping block. It was in a pretty sorry state with no handle, rust and some horrendous dents and nicks … Continue reading
Plasma Cutting
I’m a hand tool worker and get a lot of pleasure and inspiration from working directly with simple tools and the material, there is a beauty and elegance in the traditional tools that were created by our predecessors to accomplish … Continue reading
Posted in SteveTomlinCrafts, tools
Tagged hand tools, plasma cutter, sculpture, steel
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Gilded Curly Shade
Today I finished work on the large gilded curly lightshade for Charlie Whinney. The 50 steam-bent wooden coils were stretched over a spherical framework and pinned in place using cocktail sticks as miniature dowels. My instructions on placing the coils … Continue reading
Gilding ash coils
This week I’ve been working for Charlie Whinney on a bespoke version of his Curly Lightshade design. The key feature of these is coils of steam-bent ash which cover the light in curls. For this special, bigger model 50 coils … Continue reading
End of season peening & sharpening workshop
On Sunday I ran a peening and sharpening workshop for members of the NW mowing group at Haybridge Nature Reserve in response to a request from one of the members and my own observations at our recents meetings. It’s also … Continue reading
Steambent Sculpture
This week I’ve been working with Charlie Whinney on a steam-bent sculpture. I do some steam-bending for making chairs and hayforks but Charlie takes it to a new level, working with large pieces of wood and bending them in new … Continue reading
Posted in steam bending, SteveTomlinCrafts
Tagged ash, charlie whinney, sculpture, steam bent
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Apple Day 2010
Inspired by our meeting in the orchard at Sprint Mill, I organised a stand at this year’s Apple Day at Acorn Bank near Penrith. One of the organisers, Sara Braithwaite, told me that over the years the event has grown … Continue reading
Posted in scythe festivals & events, Scytherspace, Uncategorized
Tagged acorn bank, apple day, event, National Trust, rake
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