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A kuksa is a wooden cup made of birch burl. These mugs are made with true craftsmanship following the ancient tradition of the indigenous Sámi people of Lapland. The ‘Kuksa’ name derives from Finnish, and can be also called Guksi (Sámi) or Kåsa (Swedish).
Where is kuksa from?
Guksi (or Finnish: kuksa; Swedish: kåsa) is a type of drinking cup traditionally duodji crafted by the Sami people of northern Scandinavia from carved birch burl.
Should I boil my kuksa?
The idea behind boiling the wood is to remove all the tannins. If not removed these may leech out and affect the flavor of whatever you’ve got in your kuksa.
What wood is used for kuksa?
Birch is an ideal kuksa wood and is historically the most common wood used for this purpose. The ultimate kuksa wood is a birch burl that has the same curvature as the cup you are going to carve, but other woods can be used as well.
Can you drink from a wood cup?
Wooden cups are attractive additions to a rustic set of drinking and eating utensils. However, wooden cups for drinking should be protected against water, which can cause the wood to crack or warp. Wooden cups protected in this way are nevertheless safe to drink from, and often beautiful to boot.
How big is a Kuksa?
You can find tiny little kuksas or ones big enough to use as a soup bowl. Most common size is around one cup. Kuksa is great for for hiking, camping, kitchen, outdoors or a gift!.
How do you use Kuksa?
Very important is the inauguration of the Kuksa. Fill it with a strong water to the rim and let it take effect for a few minutes. Meditate on the beauty of the Nordic forest and the magic of the aurora borealis. Then skol the drink.
How do you clean a kuksa?
Cleaning Care Washing by hand with warm soapy water. Wipe with a soft sponge. Drip dry, to prevent wood from absorbing water. Don’t leave to soak. NOT suitable for the dishwasher of course.
Can you drink coffee out of a wooden mug?
Can you really drink out of the cups? Absolutely! The cups are coated inside and out with a clear resin lining. The coating covers your entire cup and protects the wood from whatever you’re drinking.
What are kuksa made of?
A kuksa is a wooden cup made of birch burl. These mugs are made with true craftsmanship following the ancient tradition of the indigenous Sámi people of Lapland. The Sámi lifestyle was dominated by reindeer herding, foraging, hunting, fishing and trading.
What tools do you need to make a kuksa?
My basic tool kit for Spoon and Kuksa carving is similar, with addition of adze, gouge and compass for Kuksa work. Slöyd knife / Straight knife. Hook Knife (Spoon Knife) Carving Axe. Hand Saw for harvesting. Adze. Gouge. Compass.
How do you seal the inside of a wooden cup?
You can use a variety of natural, nontoxic oils, such as mineral oil, to seal and finish wood. Clear mineral oil will not alter the color of your wood, but it will soak into the surface and provide deep protection for your wood rather than building up on the surface like wax.
What do you call a wooden cup?
So what is a kuksa and what’s so special about it? It is a wooden cup that has almost sacred status among traditional hikers, bushcrafters, fell-goers and so on.
How do you take care of wooden cups?
SPECIAL CARE OF WOODEN CUPS Once or twice a day rinse the cup inside and out with tap water, then air dry. After a few days it should be ready to use for hot/cold liquids. Do not let liquids sit in cup overnight or for more than a few hours. Do not leave cup soaking in water.
What is a birch burl?
Burls are a kind of growth on the tree—a woody lump that starts growing when trees undergo some form of stress such as an injury, virus or fungus. Dec 6, 2018.
How do you stop carved wood from splitting?
Placing the sculpture under some plastic sheeting (though not completely sealed in) can have the same effect. It will also reduce the rate of moisture loss and therefore the cracking. Using sealers, drying oils, varnish etc. to coat the carving can help a lot in forcing it to dry slowly.
Is it better to carve wood wet or dry?
Carving wet wood is easier than carving it dry as the moisture in the wood allows the knife to glide through the wood easier. If the wood is too dry, the wood can be hard and brittle. By wetting the wood down before carving will make for a more enjoyable carving experience.
Can you microwave a resin mug?
Properly cured epoxy resin can be considered to be microwave-safe since it does not heat up when put on the microwave. For this reason, I would not recommend that you microwave anything that is made using epoxy.
Can you drink from a wooden goblet?
Drinking from a wooden Goblet is a unique experience, because its weight and feel is distinct from goblets made of other materials. But is it practical? Of course! With the right wood and finish, it’s perfect for anyone who loves wood!Oct 29, 2020.
Is Maple difficult to carve?
Although one of the best woods for chip carving, sugar maple can be difficult to carve as it is a hard and dense wood. Sugar maple has a typically straight grain, with the potential for waviness, and an even and fine texture.
Do you need to seal permanent vinyl on tumblers?
I do not seal my vinyl on tumblers. Most vinyl manufacturers actually recommend that you don’t apply a sealer over the vinyl. The exception to this would be if you want to go through the process of sealing your tumbler with epoxy. This is usually done with glitter tumblers.
How do you keep vinyl from peeling off tumblers?
Before you start, make sure your stainless steel tumbler or mug has been cleaned and dried. And clean the cup with rubbing alcohol. This helps to remove any remaining grease or residue that will prevent the vinyl from adhering properly. Let the vinyl cure on the cup for 48-72 hours to make sure it sticks well.
Do I need to seal vinyl on a mug?
Most people don’t bother to seal their mugs as permanent vinyl usually does well enough on its own, but it’s not really and truly dishwasher safe. Don’t forget to check out my mug gift box tutorial too, for the perfect way to gift your brand new mug!Feb 27, 2021.
