Meet the Toolmakers
Fabiano SArra
Fabiano is a designer, maker and educator based in Rochester, NY. He started woodworking in 2011 while studying in the School for American Crafts at RIT. After receiving his BFA there he moved to Snowmass Village, Colorado and worked as the Studio Coordinator for the Woodworking and Furniture Design program at Anderson Ranch. In 2017 he returned to RIT to pursue his MFA in Furniture Design and has since been working full time as the shop technician for RIT's Industrial Design program.
In the studio, he draws inspiration from the materials and processes used throughout crafts' long history. With a reverence for both craft and design, his work explores the intersection of both interests in an attempt to make contemporary work that highlights the qualities found in primitive utilitarian objects.
Learn more about Fabiano here.
Travisher,
Fabiano Sarra
Made from european beech, brass and O1 tool steel, this travisher is made to take heavier cuts in hard and soft woods. The overall form is designed to feel comfortable in the hand under heavy use and the wider sole increases surface contact, making it easier for anyone to pick up and use intuitively.
By shifting pressure from the toe to the sole, it can take deep scoops and super fine shavings (think: anything from a scorp to a fine travisher).
David Clemons
David was born in El Paso, Texas and spent much of his life in Austin, Texas. Initially he began his undergraduate career attending Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, pursuing a degree program for Biology / Art. He attended the program for two years before returning to Austin to complete his BFA at the University of Texas in Austin, with a primary emphasis in painting. He earned his MFA in Metalsmithing in 2007 from San Diego State University. David taught in the art department at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, Arkansas for 10 years. During 8 of those years he was responsible for creating and heading the Metalsmithing and Jewelry Department. In 2018 he relocated to Penland, North Carolina to dedicate his time to be an independent artist and workshop instructor. Much of his work embraces the craft of Metalsmithing and its collected history of techniques and objects. The resulting works rendered in metal, mixed media, and handmade artist books are vehicles to communicate ideas surrounding identity, narrative, and forays into material and process-based work.
Learn more about David here.
Spokeshave,
David Clemons
Hand carved spokeshave with a weighty feel and ergonomic grip. The slight curve of the form is intended to guide the stroke of the tool in coarse shaving passes. Brass details add a bit of color and help to displace weight to the ends of the tool.
Kelly Harris
Kelly Harris is a woodworker, furniture maker, designer, and educator. She designs and builds both collections and custom pieces in her shop located in Brooklyn, NY. When she is not busy in the shop, you can find her teaching woodworking classes and leading workshops to share her love of the craft with others. Kelly's work is primarily in wood with a focus on solid joinery, simple yet playful design, shape exploration, and hidden splashes of color.
Learn more about Kelly here.
TEnon cutter,
Kelly Harris
This Tenon Cutter is made of solid maple with a high-carbon steel blade, and shapes a tapered tenon to 8 degrees with an exit radius of 9/16. The Length of cut is 2 ’’ long which allows the user to cut the full length of a windsor chair leg tenon with just the one tool. With a setting block and depth of cut adjustment, the user is able to quickly set and adjust the blade for an accurate shaving.
Julia Kalthoff
“I really love the feeling when axing. To be relaxed and work in your own rhythm. The axe becomes an extension of yourself. Sometimes you use your whole body to chop off big chunks, and sometimes you gently carve see-through shavings. Disappear into the grain to see where to place the next cut. Slowly let the shape get closer to your aim. Listen to the sound of a sharp tool in the green wood.
As important as the axe has been in the history of mankind, it still is for us today, but not for the same reasons. Working with your hands makes you relate and connect to the world around you in a more respectful and humble way. Craft and nature also work as a calm oasis for many people in this fast spinning world. The axe embodies strength in so many ways.
I make axes out of curiosity and love for the tool itself. Also, because making tools for others is like spreading waves of all this around the world. Hoping they will inspire people to make something with their own hands, giving others as much satisfaction as it gives me.” - Julia Kalthoff
Learn more about Julia here.
Axe + Sharpener,
Julia Kalthoff
The small carver is a specialty axe and a precision tool. It is useful in a variety of carving jobs, from removing lots of material to fine cutting surfaces. The 550 gram axe head is easy to swing. The edge comes ready to use and will hold a sharp edge for a long time. The 30-32 degree angle works well for both soft and hard wood. Hardened to 58 Rockwell, it has good edge retention and is still easy to sharpen.
The axe is balanced just below the axe head, which makes every gram work to your advantage.
Forged in Sweden from Swedish steel. Handle from Swedish ash.
ME Hitt
ME is a carpenter and woodworker who lives in midcoast Maine. In addition to their shop space in Rockland where they pursue personal work and commissions, they work full time as a carpenter for a local frame-to-finish builder.
Learn more about ME here.
Froe Handle + Mallets
ME Hitt
The handle and pin are made of ash, turned on a lathe and fitted to the eye of each blade. The mallets are also ash. They are finished with shellac and wax. Ornate versions of the froe will be ash, dyed black and with a brass pin.
Rachel Kedinger
Rachel Kedinger is an artist currently living in Philadelphia Pennsylvania creating her own work. Rachel primarily makes objects out of metal with a focus on utilitarian use. Before moving to Philly in early 2018 Rachel participated in the Core Fellowship Program at Penland School of Craft in North Carolina. She has also lived in Detroit, MI and Rehoboth Beach, DE, seeking opportunities to work with various artists and metalsmithing shops. Previous to living and working in Michigan Rachel grew up in Wisconsin and went to school at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee where she received her BFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing in 2012.
Learn more about Rachel here.
Froe Blade,
Rachel Kedinger
The geometry and size of a froe are essential to its function. This froe is just the right width and thickness to give power and control when riving. The subtle curve in the cross section adds to the ability to guide splits in use. The addition of a cross pin allows the user to disassemble the tool for travel but ensures that the handle stays in place when in use.
HOW TO BUY
MEGHAN MARTIN
Meghan Martin is an artist & blacksmith currently living in Western North Carolina. Meghan creates a wide range of work, including functional objects for the home, hand tools, and an evolving series of sculptural wall pieces. She draws inspiration from nature and her work as a gardener, creating pieces that delicately reference time, erosion, rock formations and other geologic phenomena.
Learn more about Meghan here.
ANDREW MEERS
Andrew Meers is a Master Bladesmith and Metalsmith originally from the Boston Area.
He was born in Kyongsangbuk-do South Korea, and was adopted to American Parents in 1984. Andrew attended Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where he received his BFA in Sculpture. After learning how to make knives from his mentor JD Smith, Andrew enrolled at Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he received his MFA in Metalsmithing with a focus in Blacksmithing.
Andrew earned his Journeymansmith rating from the American Bladesmithing Society in 2013, and then earned his Mastersmith rating in 2015. He received the B.R Hughes award during this time which is awarded for the best knife submitted by a Mastersmith applicant. Andrew has been a resident at The National Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, and finished his Artist in Residence at Penland School of Craft in Western North Carolina in 2020.
Learn more about Andrew here.
Draw Knife
Meghan Martin + Andrew Meers
This drawknife is not just made to be beautiful, it's made with geometry that makes using and maintaining it comfortable and intuitive. The size of the tool is small enough to be nimble but has plenty of blade for long slicing cuts. Meant to be used with the bevel down, this tool can both shave wood along the fibers and carve shapes with tight curves. This drawknife is made of carbon steel.
Claire Minihan
Claire started out out with a furniture background, graduating from the North Bennett Street School’s cabinet and furniture program in 2010, picking up work at a cabinet shop for a few years after that. Over the past 9 years she has grown a small business making travishers. She has demonstrated how they work and how they are made at domestic and international fairs, and every once in a while sprinkling in a travisher making class. She is still making travishers, but is now picking up side work at cabinet shop exploring different ways to build solid cabinets and community.
Learn more about Claire here.
Travisher,
Claire Minihan
A wood blank for the body is roughed out and faired. Blades are all bent using a cold press technique; while steel is still soft pressing in vise to desired curve between a positive and negative form. Once the blade is bent, it then gets hardened, tempered and sharpened. The brass for the sole is then custom bent to each unique blade. Both pieces of hardware get attached to the body. The sole gets beveled and filed down to achieve desired blade exposure and throat clearance. Once assembled the travisher then gets final shaped by hand using various shaves, files and rasps.
Eleanor Ingrid Rose
Eleanor Ingrid Rose was born in Monterey county, CA. She is a queer, craft-based sculpture artist, toolmaker, metalsmith, woodworker, and proud cat mom. Eleanor is one half of the collaborative project, Ladies Who Wood, alongside Stacy Motte. Eleanor holds a BFA from Pratt Institute and an MFA from UW Madison. She currently teaches sculptural woodworking at IUP and the occasional class at Workshop of Our Own. When she isn't teaching or making art she can usually be found trying to make updated versions of antique tools or spending too much time looking at eBay.
Learn more about Eleanor here.
Infill Mallet
Eleanor Ingrid Rose
Reproduction of the iconic H.O. Studley Infill Mallet. All work is done in house including casting, inlay, and woodwork. Metals are a brushed finish to be more historically accurate. The head and handle are designed for quick removal, allowing for easy change out or replacement of the infills. Handle is made of dyed hickory to avoid use of endangered Rosewoods. Only alteration is a threaded insert to hold the head together instead of wedged steel and bronze.
Ironwood Reamer
Eleanor Ingrid Rose
Raw ironwood polished on the lathe. Steel is recycled and reused. No finish is present to not ruin glue surfaces. The handle is tapered in order to provide a tight fight through summer / winter movement. Ironwood is stabilized with cyanoacrylate over several weeks and several sessions. Can withstand use in extremely hard woods including white oak, maple, and even ironwood.
ALL TOOLS
Spokeshave,
David Clemons
Hand carved spokeshave with a weighty feel and ergonomic grip. The slight curve of the form is intended to guide the stroke of the tool in coarse shaving passes. Brass details add a bit of color and help to displace weight to the ends of the tool.
Kelly Harris
Kelly Harris is a woodworker, furniture maker, designer, and educator. She designs and builds both collections and custom pieces in her shop located in Brooklyn, NY. When she is not busy in the shop, you can find her teaching woodworking classes and leading workshops to share her love of the craft with others. Kelly's work is primarily in wood with a focus on solid joinery, simple yet playful design, shape exploration, and hidden splashes of color.
Learn more about Kelly here.
TEnon cutter,
Kelly Harris
This Tenon Cutter is made of solid maple with a high-carbon steel blade, and shapes a tapered tenon to 8 degrees with an exit radius of 9/16. The Length of cut is 2 ’’ long which allows the user to cut the full length of a windsor chair leg tenon with just the one tool. With a setting block and depth of cut adjustment, the user is able to quickly set and adjust the blade for an accurate shaving.
Julia Kalthoff
“I really love the feeling when axing. To be relaxed and work in your own rhythm. The axe becomes an extension of yourself. Sometimes you use your whole body to chop off big chunks, and sometimes you gently carve see-through shavings. Disappear into the grain to see where to place the next cut. Slowly let the shape get closer to your aim. Listen to the sound of a sharp tool in the green wood.
As important as the axe has been in the history of mankind, it still is for us today, but not for the same reasons. Working with your hands makes you relate and connect to the world around you in a more respectful and humble way. Craft and nature also work as a calm oasis for many people in this fast spinning world. The axe embodies strength in so many ways.
I make axes out of curiosity and love for the tool itself. Also, because making tools for others is like spreading waves of all this around the world. Hoping they will inspire people to make something with their own hands, giving others as much satisfaction as it gives me.” - Julia Kalthoff
Learn more about Julia here.
Axe + Sharpener,
Julia Kalthoff
The small carver is a specialty axe and a precision tool. It is useful in a variety of carving jobs, from removing lots of material to fine cutting surfaces. The 550 gram axe head is easy to swing. The edge comes ready to use and will hold a sharp edge for a long time. The 30-32 degree angle works well for both soft and hard wood. Hardened to 58 Rockwell, it has good edge retention and is still easy to sharpen.
The axe is balanced just below the axe head, which makes every gram work to your advantage.
Forged in Sweden from Swedish steel. Handle from Swedish ash.
Me Hitt
ME is a carpenter and woodworker who lives in midcoast Maine. In addition to their shop space in Rockland where they pursue personal work and commissions, they work full time as a carpenter for a local frame-to-finish builder.
Learn more about ME here.
Froe Handle + Mallets
ME Hitt
The handle and pin are made of ash, turned on a lathe and fitted to the eye of each blade. The mallets are also ash. They are finished with shellac and wax. Ornate versions of the froe will be ash, dyed black and with a brass pin.
Rachel Kedinger
Rachel Kedinger is an artist currently living in Philadelphia Pennsylvania creating her own work. Rachel primarily makes objects out of metal with a focus on utilitarian use. Before moving to Philly in early 2018 Rachel participated in the Core Fellowship Program at Penland School of Craft in North Carolina. She has also lived in Detroit, MI and Rehoboth Beach, DE, seeking opportunities to work with various artists and metalsmithing shops. Previous to living and working in Michigan Rachel grew up in Wisconsin and went to school at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee where she received her BFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing in 2012.
Learn more about Rachel here.
Froe Blade,
Rachel Kedinger
The geometry and size of a froe are essential to its function. This froe is just the right width and thickness to give power and control when riving. The subtle curve in the cross section adds to the ability to guide splits in use. The addition of a cross pin allows the user to disassemble the tool for travel but ensures that the handle stays in place when in use.
HOW TO BUY
MEGHAN MARTIN
Meghan Martin is an artist & blacksmith currently living in Western North Carolina. Meghan creates a wide range of work, including functional objects for the home, hand tools, and an evolving series of sculptural wall pieces. She draws inspiration from nature and her work as a gardener, creating pieces that delicately reference time, erosion, rock formations and other geologic phenomena.
Learn more about Meghan here.
ANDREW MEERS
Andrew Meers is a Master Bladesmith and Metalsmith originally from the Boston Area.
He was born in Kyongsangbuk-do South Korea, and was adopted to American Parents in 1984. Andrew attended Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where he received his BFA in Sculpture. After learning how to make knives from his mentor JD Smith, Andrew enrolled at Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he received his MFA in Metalsmithing with a focus in Blacksmithing.
Andrew earned his Journeymansmith rating from the American Bladesmithing Society in 2013, and then earned his Mastersmith rating in 2015. He received the B.R Hughes award during this time which is awarded for the best knife submitted by a Mastersmith applicant. Andrew has been a resident at The National Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, and finished his Artist in Residence at Penland School of Craft in Western North Carolina in 2020.
Learn more about Andrew here.
Draw Knife
Meghan Martin + Andrew Meers
This drawknife is not just made to be beautiful, it's made with geometry that makes using and maintaining it comfortable and intuitive. The size of the tool is small enough to be nimble but has plenty of blade for long slicing cuts. Meant to be used with the bevel down, this tool can both shave wood along the fibers and carve shapes with tight curves. This drawknife is made of carbon steel.
Claire Minihan
Claire started out out with a furniture background, graduating from the North Bennett Street School’s cabinet and furniture program in 2010, picking up work at a cabinet shop for a few years after that. Over the past 9 years she has grown a small business making travishers. She has demonstrated how they work and how they are made at domestic and international fairs, and every once in a while sprinkling in a travisher making class. She is still making travishers, but is now picking up side work at cabinet shop exploring different ways to build solid cabinets and community.
Learn more about Claire here.
Travisher,
Claire Minihan
A wood blank for the body is roughed out and faired. Blades are all bent using a cold press technique; while steel is still soft pressing in vise to desired curve between a positive and negative form. Once the blade is bent, it then gets hardened, tempered and sharpened. The brass for the sole is then custom bent to each unique blade. Both pieces of hardware get attached to the body. The sole gets beveled and filed down to achieve desired blade exposure and throat clearance. Once assembled the travisher then gets final shaped by hand using various shaves, files and rasps.
Eleanor Ingrid Rose
Eleanor Ingrid Rose was born in Monterey county, CA. She is a queer, craft-based sculpture artist, toolmaker, metalsmith, woodworker, and proud cat mom. Eleanor is one half of the collaborative project, Ladies Who Wood, alongside Stacy Motte. Eleanor holds a BFA from Pratt Institute and an MFA from UW Madison. She currently teaches sculptural woodworking at IUP and the occasional class at Workshop of Our Own. When she isn't teaching or making art she can usually be found trying to make updated versions of antique tools or spending too much time looking at eBay.
Learn more about Eleanor here.
Infill Mallet
Eleanor Ingrid Rose
Reproduction of the iconic H.O. Studley Infill Mallet. All work is done in house including casting, inlay, and woodwork. Metals are a brushed finish to be more historically accurate. The head and handle are designed for quick removal, allowing for easy change out or replacement of the infills. Handle is made of dyed hickory to avoid use of endangered Rosewoods. Only alteration is a threaded insert to hold the head together instead of wedged steel and bronze.
Ironwood Reamer
Eleanor Ingrid Rose
Raw ironwood polished on the lathe. Steel is recycled and reused. No finish is present to not ruin glue surfaces. The handle is tapered in order to provide a tight fight through summer / winter movement. Ironwood is stabilized with cyanoacrylate over several weeks and several sessions. Can withstand use in extremely hard woods including white oak, maple, and even ironwood.
ALL TOOLS