Capital City Carvers

January 2025

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Medieval Europe saw the rise of guilds dedicated to blade sharpening and grinding. Technological advancements enabled the use of pedal-powered grindstones. These guilds ensured bladesmithing and sharpening remained highly skilled trades by setting standards of practice.

Sharpening tools has evolved over thousands of years — from natural stones to modem diamond-coated steels - yet the principles remain the same: aligning and refining the edge for peak performance. Today, knife sharpening blends tradition and innovation, connecting woodworkers to a craft that's both practical and steeped in history.

Origins of the Nutcracker December 13, 2024

The wooden nutcracker has become an iconic symbol for the festive season. Combining a practical and playful spirit, these intricately carved and brightly decorated characters can be traced to the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) of Germany in the late 17th century.

Designed as forthright soldiers, kings, and authority figures, nutcrackers were believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune during the holiday season. As mining declined in the region, artisans turned to woodworking for income, and making nutcrackers became a staple craft. By the 19th century, their whimsical designs gained popularity as festive decorations and Christmas gifts. Families placed them on mantels or under Christmas trees, never out of reach if someone fancied a stubborn walnut.

The nutcracker achieved global recognition with Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker in 1892, bringing them to an international audience and establishing the nutcracker's resonance with Christmas tradition. Today, the Erzgebirge region remains a hub for handmade nutcrackers. As well as a tool for cracking apart nuts, the nutcracker embodies protection, joy and tradition, and has become a fabled symbol of the enduring relationship between woodworking and Christmas.

 

 

 

 

Habits in Action

(This always bears repeating)
  1. Clean Hands - wash your hands, they pick up dirt and transfer it to the carving.
  2. Clean Tools - wipe them after stropping, wipe them after you finish carving.
  3. Clean Bench - keep it clean of chips and dust.
  4. Clean Workshop - clean regularly to remove wood chips and dust. Vacuum don't sweep.
  5. Clean Work - cover your work between sessions and, if possible, wash with dish soap before finishing.

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