North House Folk School

Jarrod Dahl gives a brief history of lathes and describes Japanese lathe styles, hook tools for wood turning, and demonstrates techniques for end grain turning in particular.

This demonstration was given as part of Wood Week March 2026. Jarrod Dahl makes woodenware at Woodspirit Handcraft and teaches at Woodspirit School in Ashland, WI

Here Jarrod gives a presentation on Japanese turning wood tools and techniques. Jarrod has been using a type of Japanese style lathe and techniques in his production of woodenware since first learning some basics on his first trip to Japan in 2018. Using a modified Western lathe, Jarrod elaborates on how the free floating tool rest, hook tools, and hand held scrapers all work together to produce end grain bowls and cups quickly and efficiently. There are also be in-depth details about hook tool cutting techniques. He briefly talks about two Japanese wood finishes—Urushi lacquer and Hassui ceramic and how they are used in his work.