Bernard Walter

finding the narrative

  • September 9, 2023

    September 9, 2023

    I bought HSS chisels and a bench grinder today. Using them scared the shit right out of me.

  • September 8, 2023

    It’s been over a week since I’ve been to the workshop. I was reminded that I’d been away when I got my box of new materials in the mail. The package has some weight to it.

  • September 7, 2023

    I’ve been grumpy about work. This isn’t my usual curmudgeon self coming through, this is a real response to returning to work after the summer. This morning, I was thinking about why.

  • September 6, 2023

    We got a membership to the YMCA on Saturday. We went to our first class today. We can’t stop complaining about how sore we are.

  • September 5, 2023

    Today was the first day of school. It was a good day, despite the scorching heat. Within 20 minutes of entering the building, I was dripping with sweat. It continued like that throughout most of the day. Luckily, the library has air conditioning. The classrooms, however, do not.

  • Pen Turning | Ebony and Birdseye Maple with Gold Hardware Baron Fountain Pen

    In today’s video, I use Ebony and Birdseye Maple wood with gold hardware to turn a Baron fountain pen. The profile for this pen looks simple enough but it tested the steadiness of my hand. I like the contrast of the woods on the pen – it’s a satisfying imbalance. The finish is Shellawax, allowing for the…

  • September 2, 2023

    I was up until 3 am this morning, taking photos of pens. I wanted to make sure to get some pictures before delivering them. This afternoon, we made our way over to Bill Miles for Men to deliver 18 pens.

  • September 1, 2023

    We were in Mississauga when I was first introduced to kombucha. My sister asked me to stop at a Whole Foods so she could run in and get one. I got one, too, because I like being like her. It tasted awful.

  • August 31, 2023

    I’m not ready for the new school year to begin. I went to school today for a few hours but didn’t get enough done. Going in tomorrow is going to be a pain. After work, I went to the workshop, where I managed to finish an order that I’ve been working on.

  • August 30, 2023

    Having a workshop in a storage facility is an interesting experience. Overhearing conversations is all right, but what I find most fascinating is how everyone seems to avoid acknowledging each other. It’s strange. When I get to my workshop, I open the door – it’s like a garage door – and then I step inside…

  • August 29, 2023

    It finally happened: we went to school today. Yesterday morning, we opted to stay in bed. This morning, we got ourselves up and out. Hannah even woke up early enough to go for a run.

  • Pen Turning | Ebony Wood with Chrome Hardware Cigar Pen

    In this week’s video, I turn a cigar pen with Ebony wood and chrome hardware. This pen is part of a custom order for a men’s clothing store in Toronto. Ebony is a dusty wood to work with, especially when using carbide chisels, but it finishes beautifully. I used a simple friction finish, Shellawax, to…

Get In Touch