Wood blanks for carving a Kuksa give you the starting point for one of the most meaningful projects in hand tool woodworking: a drinking cup rooted in ancestral Sami tradition from Finland, where a Kuksa can only be made by your own hands or received as a gift.
Despite being lightweight, they are designed to be strong and functional used to gather berries and to eat from as well as to be used for drinking. Washing it may lose its lucky side, so the Sami would simply rinse it in the nearest stream or lake.
These roughed-out blanks are cut from lime, also known as linden or basswood, a fine-grained, knot-free wood that has been the carver's choice since Grinling Gibbons was working in the late 1600s. Soft enough for beginners, yet capable of holding crisp detail for experienced wood carvers.
To carve your Kuksa you'll need:
- A spoon knife to hollow the inside first
- A short-bladed knife to shape the outside
- Sandpaper to refine the finished form
- Food-safe oil to finish: mineral, linseed or walnut all work well
A few things to avoid once finished:
- Washing with dishwashing liquid
- Pouring boiling water directly into the cup
- Leaving alcohol in it, even briefly
- Storing in an airtight container - the wood needs to breathe
Wood blank specifications:
- Total length: 140mm approx
- Thickness: 48mm approx
- Bowl width: 75mm approx
- Made in Czechia
Some finished shape examples (sample images only):
