River Birch Bowl

[Nate Davey]

Not sure why I like this style of bowl, I just do. I've never turned river birch before, but when wet, it turns beautifully. Dry, I was having horrible tear out even when shear scraping. This is a crotch piece Scott Smith gave me. I'm finding that river birch, when cut is nice and white, but as it dries turns a little brown. This is starting to warp a bit, so will be interesting to see where it goes. Sanded to 320 dry, then wet sanded with Doctors Walnut oil finish. Comments and criticism appreciated.
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[Doug W Swanson]

Not a style I've seen before but I like it. Nice job!

[Michael Menzli]

Looks good.. Yep it def. likes to move and unfortunately crack so keep a close eye. I have a ton of river birch on the farm but have since learned there are a few variations that people call river birch. Most in my neck of the woods (VA) are paper or red river. Both have a reddish to golden brown hue.

[Jim Burr]

I think I like the bottom most of all! Interesting shape and you held the curve very well on the bottom. Gonna have to find so of that stuff... awful pretty!

[Nate Davey]

Michael,

I think this is probably paper, if the bark was any sort of clue.

Jim,

We'll see how well the curve holds after it's movement ;)

[Harvey Ghesser]

Nice bowl, Nate. Great creativity

[George Van]

Nate, what great looking figure in that birch. Looks a lot like a Norwegian Beer Bowl.

[mike ash]

Nate - I think the form you've chosen here will really accentuate the movement you are going to see. You should post pics when it finally settles in!!

Good job, Mike

[Robert Henrickson]

Nice wood and shape. I've encountered the shape a couple times in my archaeological career: central western Iran ca 2600 BC and Phrygian Turkey ca 800 BC.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Really nice bowl Nate. Interesting design.