2 Hands Woodcraft

08/26/2026

A little coffee scoop carved from one solid piece of walnut. Small pieces like this are a good way to let the natural grain of the wood do most of the talking.

Would you use this for your morning coffee?

08/23/2026

There’s more than one way to cut these mortises. I’m not saying this is the only way—it’s simply the method that works for me.

Here I’m routing the mortises that will receive the crest rail and lower rail of the rocking chair. A little careful setup and measuring helps put each one right where it needs to be.

I enjoy showing these small steps because they’re what eventually bring the whole chair together.

Would you enjoy seeing more of the joinery that goes into one of these chairs?

08/22/2026

A look at one of my hand-carved walnut bowls, along with a few matching serving spoons. Each piece began as a solid piece of wood and was shaped one step at a time.

Would you use this bowl, or display it as a centerpiece?

08/19/2026

There’s something about an end-grain cutting board that never gets old.

The pattern changes depending on how you look at it, but my favorite part may be the striped edge. Built to be used, but it sure looks good sitting on the counter too.

Would you use it or display it?

08/16/2026

How I bore tapered chair-leg mortises

I’ve bored these angled chair-leg mortises several different ways over the years.

I’ve done them completely by hand with a brace and bit, used a hand drill with a laser, and even built a homemade fixture for the drill press. All of those methods can work, but I really like using this setup from .

It helps me hold the angles consistently before I ream the hole to match the tapered leg post. When everything fits correctly, that joint locks in surprisingly tight—and the wedge will make it even stronger.

There’s always more than one way to do a job. This is the method I’m enjoying now.

08/12/2026

This little coffee scoop was carved by hand from one piece of wood.

What I really like about this one is the natural color change running through it. It almost looks like two different woods, but that’s all from the same piece.

Small project, but a pretty neat piece of wood.

08/09/2026

After steam bending, the real work begins.

These cherry rocking chair legs have been drying on the bending form, and now I can finally start working them down toward their final shape.

There’s still quite a bit of work between this rough bent blank and a finished rocking chair leg, but I really enjoy watching the shape slowly come to life.

One step at a time.

08/08/2026

08/05/2026

Not every project in the shop is a rocking chair. Sometimes it’s the smaller pieces that remind me why I love working with wood.

A hand-carved walnut coffee scoop and spoon—simple, functional, and made to last.

Which one would you reach for first?

08/02/2026

There’s something satisfying about watching a straight piece of cherry become part of a rocking chair.

These back ribs were steamed until the fibers became flexible, then bent into a form where they’ll hold their shape as they dry. It’s one of my favorite steps in the entire process.

Every rocking chair starts with moments like this.

If you enjoy seeing traditional woodworking, I’d love for you to follow along as this chair comes together.

— Matthew
2 Hands Woodcraft