Hawaiian Koa Bowl

[Kalai]

Hi everyone, this is a nice big Koa bowl that I made in the traditional Hawaiian calabash shape. This has a bark pocket and some cracks that I filled with brass powder. I also drilled small holes in such a way to help close the cracks and inserted some bamboo tooth picks for stability.
The bowl is 14 inches in dia. and 8 inches deep.
I made this for my Dentist, he needed a big Koa bowl to give as a Christmas gift to his sister.
There was also some dry rot that I had to harden with CA glue and then lightly carve and then put more CA and lightly carve, I did this until I got the final shape and thickness. I am happy with the way it turned out. I hope you all enjoy the pictures. Aloha.

Kalai

 

[Karl_TN]

Nice one. Once heard that fixes to a calabash bowl make them worth more in Hawaii. Although, that's first time seeing drilled holes being used on either side of a crack. How does that work?

 

[Kalai]

Nice one. Once heard that fixes to a calabash bowl make them worth more in Hawaii. Although, that's first time seeing drilled holes being used on either side of a crack. How does that work?

I drill the hole so that is crosses the crack and I alternate that, so if you look at the crack, on the outside the tooth pick will be on one side of the crack and if you look on the inside the tooth pick will be on the other side of the crack, I hope I explained that good enough. Aloha.

Kalai

 

[trc65]

Beautiful bowl, and great way to address the cracks. I've never cared for pewa, just don't like the look. It has almost become the "in" thing or current fad and way over used IMO.

I've not seen the method you used, but I really like the look. Subtle and functional without screaming "look at me".

 

[Kalai]

Beautiful bowl, and great way to address the cracks. I've never cared for pewa, just don't like the look. It has almost become the "in" thing or current fad and way over used IMO.

I've not seen the method you used, but I really like the look. Subtle and functional without screaming "look at me".

I never liked the pewa or butterfly patches, I got this idea from the old Hawaiians, they never used butterfly patches until later, they originally used kepa kepa and that is a lot better than the pewa, I will try to find some pictures so you can see what I am talking about. Aloha.

Kalai

 

[Nature Man]

Classic shape! Such a great save for this lovely wood! So very well done! Chuck

 

[daniscool]

I love koa and don’t see why this would be an exception.

 

[Phil.H]

Great looking bowl! Nice work! Will make a great gift! I'm also in the camp of not liking the look of pewa"s.

 

[JD1137]

Hi everyone, this is a nice big Koa bowl that I made in the traditional Hawaiian calabash shape. This has a bark pocket and some cracks that I filled with brass powder. I also drilled small holes in such a way to help close the cracks and inserted some bamboo tooth picks for stability.
The bowl is 14 inches in dia. and 8 inches deep.
I made this for my Dentist, he needed a big Koa bowl to give as a Christmas gift to his sister.
There was also some dry rot that I had to harden with CA glue and then lightly carve and then put more CA and lightly carve, I did this until I got the final shape and thickness. I am happy with the way it turned out. I hope you all enjoy the pictures. Aloha.

Kalai
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That's a beauty.

What is your finishing method....sanding grit and finish for Koa? Is it an oil finish?

 

[Alancw]

Very cool repair though I’d be tempted to find a wooden toothpick that blended in more with koa. Superb work! Love your posts.

 

[BoonareeBurl]

Hi everyone, this is a nice big Koa bowl that I made in the traditional Hawaiian calabash shape. This has a bark pocket and some cracks that I filled with brass powder. I also drilled small holes in such a way to help close the cracks and inserted some bamboo tooth picks for stability.
The bowl is 14 inches in dia. and 8 inches deep.
I made this for my Dentist, he needed a big Koa bowl to give as a Christmas gift to his sister.
There was also some dry rot that I had to harden with CA glue and then lightly carve and then put more CA and lightly carve, I did this until I got the final shape and thickness. I am happy with the way it turned out. I hope you all enjoy the pictures. Aloha.

Kalai
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Awesome.

G

 

[Kalai]

That's a beauty.

What is your finishing method....sanding grit and finish for Koa? Is it an oil finish?

I use a lot of sanding sealer, I sand to 600 grit and I use a mineral oil as a final finish. I also wet the wood to stand up the grain before the final sanding. Aloha.

Kalai