YES!!! I really, really liked everything about your channel and work.. But now I freakn LUV it!! Thank you Samurai Carpenter for highlighting and showing some love and respect for the Indigenous Peoples of the America's! I'm a Dine' (Navajo) Native woodworker/painter/artist from the 4 Corner's NM, USA. Tom's work is well known and respected all across Native country. Thank you brotha! U FREAK'N ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!
I am very excited for this series. As a BC resident I have grown up side by side with native friends and native art. Its an integral part of BC culture and the navite art form is such a beautiful thing. Im looking forward to following Tom's work over the next several videos.
Ian from New Hampshire here, I am excited to see the evolution of the process and the work that goes into this type of work. It is always fun to see someone with such a particular skill do their craft.
Thanks for this series samurai! I'm from the PNW and grew up in awe and admiration of the native way of life and the skills entailed in that. Thank you Tom for letting us view your amazing talents. I'm far from there now but love seeing a bit of home.
I used to watch the native carvers in Oregon, long...long ago. I remember that they used Horsetail Grass for sanding and polishing. It gives an almost mirror-like finish. When used on a lathe turning, Horsetail Grass gives an ≈ 2400 grit finish. The reeds work best when _almost_ fully dried.
Yes, green can stain the wood and the water content seems to create a sort of "goo", rather than sawdust...too dry and you are left holding dust rather than reeds. Your mileage may vary. I have found it better to err on the drier side, than the wet.
I had the opportunity to observe Israel Shotridge and his nephew working on a pole, I believe it was about 40', at the totem heritage museum in Ketchikan, AK once it was amazing. Watched and conversed for hours, seriously cool person and extremely talented / inspiring. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series.
It's great to see people still love this, industrialization is taking over woodworking and it's great to see that people still do this. I woodwork myself but this is great!
Awesome video Samurai, thank you! Tom, thank you too for allowing us the privilege to experience your artistry, very glad the samurai is giving you this exposure. I subscribed to your channel just in case. Your fan in Vacaville California.
Look forward to you and Tom sharing more of Tom's work and way of working. Especially the bits where he shows and tells about techniques that need a master's hand and eye. Thank you for taking the time to collect and share these gems. Like you did with Crossed Hearth Forge.
Thank you Samurai and pass appreciation onto Tom for showing us his art and culture,look forward to seeing the tool making sessions and intend making a set ,cheers !
Hi Tom, I'm from the south east of England and I thank you for letting Samurai Carpenter film your work and your process. I'm looking forward to seeing more of what you do and how you do it. It's so important to keep crafts alive; I believe that to be human is also to be a maker (amongst other things!). I weave and spin (and knit and crochet) and thus I am connected to the thousands of generations of people all across the world who have carried out these crafts since they were started. Skills and crafts rooted in a people's culture always command my respect; thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you for sharing this and BIG UP to Tom!!! Having worked as a craftsman for the past 20 odd years myself, and now getting into carving, it is a treat to have a such a seasoned traditional craftsman so respectfully documented. Also inspired to make my own tools now as the price point on entry for starting out as a wood sculptor was always a bit of a hindrance... Thank you and much respect all the way from South Africa.
It's good to see that more and more people of native origin are picking up their heritage and starting to make a living from it. Well done Jesse! Gr.from the Netherlands.
Thanks Jesse for making the video and introducing us to Tom. Thanks Tom for sharing. I love watching a master at work. So much too learn and so much inspiration. Great carving tools.
I'm new to carving but have always admired native carving. Thank you both for respecting the art & documenting all the processes involved in creating it.
Been into totem carved poles the last few years- The Tribes of the NW.. Kudos to Tom. I have an old book by- believe it- an Italian from Anacortes Washington who carved them. And now it's hard to believe that it is twenty years almost since I was in WA and stopped in the Squaxin place and met a native guy who was making a huge canoe out of probably Cedar- whatever they'd use. Interesting stuff, the tools, etc.
I've been subscribed to both you guys for a while now and this collaboration is simply genius! Now that it is happening my soul soars with the thoughts of future projects. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I have no words; What a wonderful surprise. This series is going to be amazing. That Owl is so beautiful. I'm surprised how soft the cedar is, or maybe it just looks easy to shape in the hands of a master carver. I'm across the strait from you, in Sequim, but my cedar trees don't seem that easy to cut. Ingenuity, indeed. Thank you for setting this up, Samurai. Thank you, Mr. Lafortune, for letting Jesse film in your workshop and share with us.
Woow what a gr8 piece of work gonna happen . 46 years of experience Tom that's amazing , you have to love what you do . Great Craftsman shout out from Poland !!!
I've been working with, supporting and helping a number of carvers out on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. To have Tom invite you and your camera into his shop is a testament to his trust and the relationship you've built with him. I look forward to seeing the rest of your videos of how Tom carves, what motivates him and especially to see the artistry of these amazing craftsmen. Thank you!
Great video and exposure for Tom to show people the native craft of totem carving. THANKS TOM! Really look forward to the process of start to finish with a mask or totem. Really cool to see all the hand made tools, and what a obviously genius way of doing it. Need a particular shape of knife, just make it! Great job Jesse, and thanks again Tom!
Jesse, great idea, great work, I hope you keep up this series documenting other crafts, artists, and their tools. I'm training to be an art teacher in the Seattle area, I think this series has so much potential for enlightening young makers, and anyone interested, on the day-to-day work put in by people in the field of producing unique high quality works of craft/design/construction/art.
While in Vancouver about a year ago, I saw several Totem poles in one of the local parks. Wood carving is one of my favorite things to do. When I move into the Seattle area next year I will want to understand the totem pole carving technique. I will look forward watching further video's from Tom. Thanks for sharing his talent.
Looking forward to seeing more of Tom and his artistry, Jesse, well done on this sidetrack. Coming from down under down under (Tasmania, Australia), we don't get to see this type of mastery all that often, and to have his sense of humour and PC 'ness .
Been watching this channel for a very long time. This is my first comment too. Tom, carving a cedar mask is exactly the next carving project I intend to make when I get my research, materials, and tools in order. Watching his work is inspiring to me simply because of the coincidence of it all. I wish the Samurai good luck with the channel and the series he's working on with Tom. Hope you guys rock it.
I used to do some chainsaw carving. I enjoyed doing it. It is really interesting to see someone who really knows what they are doing. I just fumbled my way through things. Thanks for opening up your shop to show and share your skills!
Excellent "field trip"... Love the tool making , can't wait to see the process of making the tools and poles, masks... Super good... My thanks to Tom for sharing his skills. This will be a great series.
Tom's carving series will be well worth watching. It looks like he has to be pretty ingenious to design all his own carving tools! We live in Alberta and have been to the island a few times. Very nice place to live!
Great idea. Thanks to Tom for letting us in. Seeing the tools in use is awesome. Looking forward to seeing how the tools are made. Thanks from the East coat, new england USA!
excellent idea for a series. Shout out to Tom, indigenous carving and woodworking is what inspired me into carpentry. Looking forward to the next video!
I can wait for this. Learning how to sharpen those curved blades to cut that well is awesome. I spent several years in Eastern and Central Africa while serving in the Marine Corps. There were several carvers there creating really amazing things with hand made tools from whatever they could find. We bought several carving kits for the locals in the area to try and help out. When we went back they were still using their hand made tool and sold all the kits to buy material and food at least they went to a good cause.
Looking forward to seeing more of Tom's work and indianuity . I can always appreciate true craftsmenship. Greetings and salutations from The Netherlands.
Thank you Tom for showing us your tool's. Right now I'm restoring a Totem pole my brother carved when he was 10 year's old the log was an old telephone pole we pulled out of an alley. I help my brother drag it back to the house using a skate board. This was back in 1975 I believe. I put up a video of it primerd getting it ready to paint and I have a few repairs I have to make on it. When I get it all done I'll post a video of it. It's been through it some were telling me to just toss it, but I'm determine to refreshen it up so it can be around long after I'm gone.
Carpenter from Germany here, loved the insights you got there. I will try to craft my own tools, so I can start carving again like I did when I was younger.
That was really interesting, what a great use of old saw blade steel, that makes so much sense. The way Tom holds and drives his knives is intriguing too. Thank you both for sharing that.
Very excited to see the way he makes his tools. And to see him carving. I'm just getting into carving myself and will be looking forward even more for your videos.
Hi Tom I am a Brit living in the Philippines was very pleased to see this presentation beautiful work love your tools and the way you handle them. Always be interested in Native American Culture you know the real one! Pleased to see you carry this tradition craft forward and into the future. Thank you sir.
Really looking forward to this new series. Thanks Tom for keeping this fantastic part of your rich culture alive. I might even try to emulate your style here in Sweden, though we don't have much Cedar to work with we do have plenty of Pines...
Great video, looking forward to more like this. I like Tom's hands. Years of hard word mathem thick and strong. He carves with both hands, energy and the other is a fulcrum for control. That's why he still has all his fingers. Beautiful work Tom.
Hey this is great I started making some native style carving tools about 9 months ago and I love using them I was inspired by Kestrel tools. This series is perfect timing for me and I appreciate it much thanks.
Shout out to Tom from Skagit County Washington. Beautiful work. I've always been intrigued by this type of artistry. Jessie, thanks for sharing Tom's work. I look forward to the entire series of videos.
Love, love, love! The museum of natural history in Victoria is one of my favorite places--I love the mask display with the stories for each mask....I love the long house....I love all of it! So, YES! Please show me more about carving masks, totems, anything Tom creates! I would love to hear the stories behind every animal and the ordering and anything and EVERYTHING about this art! Kwakiutl art rules! 😎💪🏼 writing from sunny Boulder, Colorado.
this was a great free tip Friday. Native American Carvings , any person who has wood coursing through his vanes I we do here in Sacramento california can really appreciate this skill . I have great respect for this time honored trade
Thank you for doing this series. Maybe it will make me get started in carving. I've always wanted to. One thing I would like to see you do is, talk more about the different types of wood you are using for each project. What qualities each has both good and bad. Maybe you could do a video on wood types and why you choose one over another. Thanks for the education.
This was great, I'm really looking forward to seeing more videos on native carving. Big props to Tom for letting us all in; thank you! I lived in Vancouver for nearly a year back in 2004 and worked in a native arts shop in Gastown. I really loved it, the craft, the smell, the history and all the legends are amazing and give such a wonderful sense of our Earth and our communities; it's wonderful. There was also a carver upstairs who made all kinds of masks and I wish I had spent more time trying to learn from him. I'm pining (hah! a pun) to get back there again! :D
I hope we can see more. I did watch some carves up island but didn't get to see this closely how it was done. thank you for letting us see this and I hope to see more.
I'm so excited for this series! 😃 Beautiful work Tom! After watching 100s of videos on youtube I'm only just about to get into woodworking myself - I've picked up so many tips and tricks from different people that I Have to try out myself now. So it will be awesome to see these videos and learn a little here aswell 😃🖒
Hi Jesse, I'm really excited about the upcoming series with Tom. I've been fascinated by totem poles ever since I was a little boy and over the years have made various attempts at carving one myself. I'm now in my sixties and I'm going to be following these new videos with rapt attention. Tell Tom, thanks very much from Hastings in the UK.
really great work.. tom is great! very low key and obviously very talented from the way he wields something that sharp that fast at those angles... keep up the carving videos!!
Very informative and entertaining. I will be watching this series. I particularly like the native designs and would love to be able to create some pieces myself. Thanks Tom, You're a true inspiration.
Jesse and Tom: It's guys like you that give us hobbiests out here the inspiration that we, too, might make a living doing what we love. For myself, down here in the Palm Springs, Cal area, gathering Mesquite and turning it into furniture and carved things keeps me out of trouble. Its a bit harder to work than cedar, though. I want to see more of what you do and how you go about it. Thanks for letting us see your shop, Tom, and to Jesse- Get back to work!
No one knows how hard that is. This man and any other using pure hand and arm power have so much strength to handle those tools in that way. Impressive. I still struggle to make hand carvings any where that recognizable and not nearly as good, even with power tools, it is not an easy task. My hat is off to that man. Impressive!
YES!!! I really, really liked everything about your channel and work.. But now I freakn LUV it!! Thank you Samurai Carpenter for highlighting and showing some love and respect for the Indigenous Peoples of the America's! I'm a Dine' (Navajo) Native woodworker/painter/artist from the 4 Corner's NM, USA. Tom's work is well known and respected all across Native country. Thank you brotha! U FREAK'N ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!
... Tom is obviously a master craftsman to be admired and respected...
I am very excited for this series. As a BC resident I have grown up side by side with native friends and native art. Its an integral part of BC culture and the navite art form is such a beautiful thing. Im looking forward to following Tom's work over the next several videos.
Looking forward to more of Tom's videos, even the tool making :)
God when he started carving I was blown away just how effortless it looked. I haven't carved anything in years and THAT STUFF AIN'T EASY
Ian from New Hampshire here, I am excited to see the evolution of the process and the work that goes into this type of work. It is always fun to see someone with such a particular skill do their craft.
It’s awesome watching the leverage he gets from just his hands and sliding the knife up and down. Simplistic joy to watch
Thanks for this series samurai! I'm from the PNW and grew up in awe and admiration of the native way of life and the skills entailed in that. Thank you Tom for letting us view your amazing talents. I'm far from there now but love seeing a bit of home.
This is very cool stuff! Looking forward to more of Tom's work, it's great so far. Cheers!
I used to watch the native carvers in Oregon, long...long ago. I remember that they used Horsetail Grass for sanding and polishing. It gives an almost mirror-like finish.
When used on a lathe turning, Horsetail Grass gives an ≈ 2400 grit finish. The reeds work best when _almost_ fully dried.
Does it matter if its green or dried stuff? There's a few patches growing around here, may be I'll have to harvest some.
Yes, green can stain the wood and the water content seems to create a sort of "goo", rather than sawdust...too dry and you are left holding dust rather than reeds. Your mileage may vary. I have found it better to err on the drier side, than the wet.
Good to know. I can probably run horsetail through a hay baler in my area.
I had the opportunity to observe Israel Shotridge and his nephew working on a pole, I believe it was about 40', at the totem heritage museum in Ketchikan, AK once it was amazing. Watched and conversed for hours, seriously cool person and extremely talented / inspiring. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series.
It's great to see people still love this, industrialization is taking over woodworking and it's great to see that people still do this. I woodwork myself but this is great!
Awesome video Samurai, thank you!
Tom, thank you too for allowing us the privilege to experience your artistry, very glad the samurai is giving you this exposure. I subscribed to your channel just in case. Your fan in Vacaville California.
Look forward to you and Tom sharing more of Tom's work and way of working. Especially the bits where he shows and tells about techniques that need a master's hand and eye.
Thank you for taking the time to collect and share these gems. Like you did with Crossed Hearth Forge.
Thank you Samurai and pass appreciation onto Tom for showing us his art and culture,look forward to seeing the tool making sessions and intend making a set ,cheers !
Hi Tom, I'm from the south east of England and I thank you for letting Samurai Carpenter film your work and your process. I'm looking forward to seeing more of what you do and how you do it. It's so important to keep crafts alive; I believe that to be human is also to be a maker (amongst other things!). I weave and spin (and knit and crochet) and thus I am connected to the thousands of generations of people all across the world who have carried out these crafts since they were started. Skills and crafts rooted in a people's culture always command my respect; thank you for sharing with us.
Thanks for sharing Toms work. It is awesome to see such love of his craft and the skill he has built. Really hope to see more of his work.
Thank you for sharing this and BIG UP to Tom!!! Having worked as a craftsman for the past 20 odd years myself, and now getting into carving, it is a treat to have a such a seasoned traditional craftsman so respectfully documented. Also inspired to make my own tools now as the price point on entry for starting out as a wood sculptor was always a bit of a hindrance... Thank you and much respect all the way from South Africa.
It's good to see that more and more people of native origin are picking up their heritage and starting to make a living from it. Well done Jesse! Gr.from the Netherlands.
Really impressive seeing tom carve. Thanks for this.
a big hi to Tom from Ireland.Love West Coast Native art. Thanks for sharing your time and skills with us viewers through Jesse's channel.
I'm from Gt.Manchester, England. I loved watching Tom at work, his skill and sense of humour are manic... Thank you both...
Man that was great. I never seen this done. I am so looking forward to seeing him some more. Thanks, great job as usual
Would love to see Tom in every video. Even if he's just sittin in the back smoking cigarettes.
Really cool subject matter! Tom seems like a very talented dude and it's great that he's willing to share his knowledge. Thanks Samurai and Tom!
Thank you Tom, for keeping traditions alive!
Thanks Jesse for making the video and introducing us to Tom. Thanks Tom for sharing. I love watching a master at work. So much too learn and so much inspiration. Great carving tools.
Watching him carving with such confidence and ease makes it look so easy. its like his hands are programed to work the tools without and effort
Love seeing this side of the wood world. Thank you so much Tom for opening up your space and knowledge to the world. I am pumped to see more!
Wow really excited about this series. Tom is clearly a master of his craft. Looking forward to seeing what he does!
I'm new to carving but have always admired native carving. Thank you both for respecting the art & documenting all the processes involved in creating it.
Tom moves with the speed and precision born of decades of honing his craft. Can't wait to see more!
Super pumped about this series. Looking forward to seeing more of Toms work. Thanks for taking us along on this journey.
Been into totem carved poles the last few years- The Tribes of the NW.. Kudos to Tom. I have an old book by- believe it- an Italian from Anacortes Washington who carved them.
And now it's hard to believe that it is twenty years almost since I was in WA and stopped in the Squaxin place and met a native guy who was making a huge canoe out of probably Cedar- whatever they'd use. Interesting stuff, the tools, etc.
I've been subscribed to both you guys for a while now and this collaboration is simply genius! Now that it is happening my soul soars with the thoughts of future projects. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I have no words; What a wonderful surprise. This series is going to be amazing. That Owl is so beautiful.
I'm surprised how soft the cedar is, or maybe it just looks easy to shape in the hands of a master carver. I'm across the strait from you, in Sequim, but my cedar trees don't seem that easy to cut.
Ingenuity, indeed.
Thank you for setting this up, Samurai.
Thank you, Mr. Lafortune, for letting Jesse film in your workshop and share with us.
That was a great watch - looking forward to the rest of the series!
Woow what a gr8 piece of work gonna happen . 46 years of experience Tom that's amazing , you have to love what you do . Great Craftsman shout out from Poland !!!
I've been working with, supporting and helping a number of carvers out on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. To have Tom invite you and your camera into his shop is a testament to his trust and the relationship you've built with him. I look forward to seeing the rest of your videos of how Tom carves, what motivates him and especially to see the artistry of these amazing craftsmen. Thank you!
Interesting! Thanks for sharing! Love the simplicity of the carving tools!
Great video and exposure for Tom to show people the native craft of totem carving. THANKS TOM! Really look forward to the process of start to finish with a mask or totem. Really cool to see all the hand made tools, and what a obviously genius way of doing it. Need a particular shape of knife, just make it! Great job Jesse, and thanks again Tom!
Jesse, great idea, great work, I hope you keep up this series documenting other crafts, artists, and their tools. I'm training to be an art teacher in the Seattle area, I think this series has so much potential for enlightening young makers, and anyone interested, on the day-to-day work put in by people in the field of producing unique high quality works of craft/design/construction/art.
LOVED this video! More! More! I grew up in Michigan, and my grandfather was a whittler and gunsmith. I loved to watch him carve things.
People like tom are the best. Regular guy with super talent thanks for sharing!
While in Vancouver about a year ago, I saw several Totem poles in one of the local parks. Wood carving is one of my favorite things to do. When I move into the Seattle area next year I will want to understand the totem pole carving technique. I will look forward watching further video's from Tom. Thanks for sharing his talent.
Looking forward to seeing more of Tom and his artistry, Jesse, well done on this sidetrack. Coming from down under down under (Tasmania, Australia), we don't get to see this type of mastery all that often, and to have his sense of humour and PC 'ness .
Thank you Jesse and Tom for sharing your time and skills. Love learning more about this craft here in Chicago Illinois.
Been watching this channel for a very long time. This is my first comment too. Tom, carving a cedar mask is exactly the next carving project I intend to make when I get my research, materials, and tools in order. Watching his work is inspiring to me simply because of the coincidence of it all. I wish the Samurai good luck with the channel and the series he's working on with Tom. Hope you guys rock it.
Thank you Tom. It is a privilege to see you work.
I've always loved northwestern tribal art, thank you Tom for keeping the tradition alive! Charlie from Culver City California
I used to do some chainsaw carving. I enjoyed doing it. It is really interesting to see someone who really knows what they are doing. I just fumbled my way through things. Thanks for opening up your shop to show and share your skills!
Excellent "field trip"... Love the tool making , can't wait to see the process of making the tools and poles, masks... Super good... My thanks to Tom for sharing his skills. This will be a great series.
Tom's carving series will be well worth watching. It looks like he has to be pretty ingenious to design all his own carving tools! We live in Alberta and have been to the island a few times. Very nice place to live!
Great idea. Thanks to Tom for letting us in. Seeing the tools in use is awesome. Looking forward to seeing how the tools are made. Thanks from the East coat, new england USA!
Fantastic work, Tom. Thank you for letting us into your shop and sharing your craft.
I appreciate your authenticity Tom. Thank you for sharing! Super inspiring! ❤🌲
That was great! I continue to be amazed at people who make art with their hands. Thanks for sharing.
A big Thank you for introducing us to Tom and his Craftmanship
excellent idea for a series. Shout out to Tom, indigenous carving and woodworking is what inspired me into carpentry. Looking forward to the next video!
Love this series....really hard to find great resources for totem pole carving. Thanks to Tom for sharing his skills !!
I can wait for this. Learning how to sharpen those curved blades to cut that well is awesome. I spent several years in Eastern and Central Africa while serving in the Marine Corps. There were several carvers there creating really amazing things with hand made tools from whatever they could find. We bought several carving kits for the locals in the area to try and help out. When we went back they were still using their hand made tool and sold all the kits to buy material and food at least they went to a good cause.
Can't wait to see this series! Tom teaching us all is a gift!
Can't wait to see the tool making videos. I really enjoy watching folks like Tom carve so easily. Keep it up and can't wait to see more
Looking forward to seeing more of Tom's work and indianuity . I can always appreciate true craftsmenship. Greetings and salutations from The Netherlands.
Thank you Tom for showing us your tool's. Right now I'm restoring a Totem pole my brother carved when he was 10 year's old the log was an old telephone pole we pulled out of an alley. I help my brother drag it back to the house using a skate board. This was back in 1975 I believe. I put up a video of it primerd getting it ready to paint and I have a few repairs I have to make on it. When I get it all done I'll post a video of it. It's been through it some were telling me to just toss it, but I'm determine to refreshen it up so it can be around long after I'm gone.
Carpenter from Germany here, loved the insights you got there. I will try to craft my own tools, so I can start carving again like I did when I was younger.
That was really interesting, what a great use of old saw blade steel, that makes so much sense. The way Tom holds and drives his knives is intriguing too. Thank you both for sharing that.
Very excited to see the way he makes his tools. And to see him carving. I'm just getting into carving myself and will be looking forward even more for your videos.
Hi Tom I am a Brit living in the Philippines was very pleased to see this presentation beautiful work love your tools and the way you handle them. Always be interested in Native American Culture you know the real one! Pleased to see you carry this tradition craft forward and into the future. Thank you sir.
Really looking forward to this new series. Thanks Tom for keeping this fantastic part of your rich culture alive. I might even try to emulate your style here in Sweden, though we don't have much Cedar to work with we do have plenty of Pines...
Great stuff, nice to see both of you working together and raising awareness. Time lapses would be awesome!
Looking forward to seeing the rest of this series, great to see local artisans
Great video, looking forward to more like this.
I like Tom's hands. Years of hard word mathem thick and strong.
He carves with both hands, energy and the other is a fulcrum for control. That's why he still has all his fingers.
Beautiful work Tom.
Man that was great, I'm hoping for a long series on this, both carving and making the tools
Hey this is great I started making some native style carving tools about 9 months ago and I love using them I was inspired by Kestrel tools. This series is perfect timing for me and I appreciate it much thanks.
Amazing work, Tom! I think I could watch you carve this pole from start to finish. Absolutely incredible!
Thank Tom for allowing us into his space. Can't wait to see how he makes his carving tools.
Shout out to Tom from Skagit County Washington. Beautiful work. I've always been intrigued by this type of artistry. Jessie, thanks for sharing Tom's work. I look forward to the entire series of videos.
Love, love, love!
The museum of natural history in Victoria is one of my favorite places--I love the mask display with the stories for each mask....I love the long house....I love all of it!
So, YES! Please show me more about carving masks, totems, anything Tom creates! I would love to hear the stories behind every animal and the ordering and anything and EVERYTHING about this art!
Kwakiutl art rules! 😎💪🏼 writing from sunny Boulder, Colorado.
It is simply a fantastic look at how things from the past are still done today. Excellent video
this was a great free tip Friday. Native American Carvings , any person who has wood coursing through his vanes I we do here in Sacramento california can really appreciate this skill . I have great respect for this time honored trade
Hi Tom (and Jesse),
Watching from Perth Western Australia - great to see you make a living by keeping your culture alive.
Allways was fascinated with Totem poles growing up in Alberta, can't wait for the rest of the videos!👍👍
Tom is a true craftsman, looking forward to seeing his work
Thank you for doing this series. Maybe it will make me get started in carving. I've always wanted to. One thing I would like to see you do is, talk more about the different types of wood you are using for each project. What qualities each has both good and bad. Maybe you could do a video on wood types and why you choose one over another. Thanks for the education.
This was great, I'm really looking forward to seeing more videos on native carving.
Big props to Tom for letting us all in; thank you!
I lived in Vancouver for nearly a year back in 2004 and worked in a native arts shop in Gastown. I really loved it, the craft, the smell, the history and all the legends are amazing and give such a wonderful sense of our Earth and our communities; it's wonderful.
There was also a carver upstairs who made all kinds of masks and I wish I had spent more time trying to learn from him.
I'm pining (hah! a pun) to get back there again! :D
I am looking forward to this for sure. Specifically making the gouges and knives he uses. That will be awesome. Thanks for taking this on.
I hope we can see more. I did watch some carves up island but didn't get to see this closely how it was done. thank you for letting us see this and I hope to see more.
I'm so excited for this series! 😃 Beautiful work Tom! After watching 100s of videos on youtube I'm only just about to get into woodworking myself - I've picked up so many tips and tricks from different people that I Have to try out myself now. So it will be awesome to see these videos and learn a little here aswell 😃🖒
so great to see Tom's skills and speed. those hook knives looked awesome. thanks for sharing
It's amazing work when done by hand- excellent work Tom
This will be a fantastic series. I'll be glued to each one. I'm in Shannonville Ontario.
Thank you both for this presentation. The carving style is amazing to see!
Originally from Wales. Now living in Australia NSW. Love the work and Tom knows his way round a knife!!! Nice.
Hi Jesse, I'm really excited about the upcoming series with Tom. I've been fascinated by totem poles ever since I was a little boy and over the years have made various attempts at carving one myself. I'm now in my sixties and I'm going to be following these new videos with rapt attention. Tell Tom, thanks very much from Hastings in the UK.
really great work.. tom is great! very low key and obviously very talented from the way he wields something that sharp that fast at those angles... keep up the carving videos!!
Great to see Tom's work. In Japan looking forward to future videos in this series.
Very informative and entertaining. I will be watching this series. I particularly like the native designs and would love to be able to create some pieces myself. Thanks Tom, You're a true inspiration.
Jesse and Tom: It's guys like you that give us hobbiests out here the inspiration that we, too, might make a living doing what we love. For myself, down here in the Palm Springs, Cal area, gathering Mesquite and turning it into furniture and carved things keeps me out of trouble. Its a bit harder to work than cedar, though. I want to see more of what you do and how you go about it. Thanks for letting us see your shop, Tom, and to Jesse- Get back to work!
No one knows how hard that is. This man and any other using pure hand and arm power have so much strength to handle those tools in that way. Impressive. I still struggle to make hand carvings any where that recognizable and not nearly as good, even with power tools, it is not an easy task. My hat is off to that man. Impressive!
shoutout from denmark. love to see craftsmen at work. im already working on new knives in my mind.