Description:

The hammer cabinet is a special gift made for my woodworking mentor, a master craftsman and Hindu monk for over 50 years. I’ve always admired his reverence of wood, mastery of making the complex seem simple, and tasteful utilization of non-wood materials in his pieces. The piece’s materials and methods are representative of my learnings with him over the past few years. 

 

The hammer cabinet’s sole purpose is to hold a joinery hammer that I created from a piece of koa and Japanese hammer head. The main material is old growth redwood, with accents of koa, soapstone, and brass. I selected the redwood partly for nostalgia, and partly because its tight, straight grain helps to accentuate the simple form. Yet, there is still some hidden complexity with a ship-lapped back, coopered door, hand-cut knife hinge installation, and hand-cut wedged M&T joinery. The cabinet is finished with shellac, and the hammer handle is finished with 30+ coats of polymerized tung oil.

 

Thank you to Eric Edwards, who generously photographed this cabinet and did an amazing job.

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