The most unique aspect of a bowl set is that, since each bowl is cut individually from the same block of wood, the grain pattern of the wood repeats itself in each bowl. When purchasing a set, the bowls can be easily separated and then regrouped in their original set by observing the natural colors and grain patterns. A wide variety of Appalachian woods including oak, ash, poplar, pine, walnut, cherry and maple are used in producing the bowls.

Typically, green wood used for the bowls is acquired from logging scraps. A 48” circular saw is used to cut dimensioned blanks. The blanks are mounted to the bowl cutting equipment: lathe for round bowls and saw for oval bowls. Each bowl is cut (progression of smallest to largest bowl) and removed after each pass. The bowl set is packed in sawdust and/or wood shavings until dry enough to finish. Each bowl is manually handled through a minimum of four sanding grits to provide a smooth surface. Urethane or walnut oil is applied as the final finish.

Conventional, commercial equipment is not used to form the bowls. The process to provide repeatability in the bowls’ shape and size is non-patented and been kept as a family secret for many years. My father designed and developed this specific process in early 1960s. I learned the art of making bowls through his direction when I was tall enough to see over top of the belt sander.