While many of you are admiring this bowl, here is some info..
As you know, Russ is no longer with us. He was an integral part of the IAP and his pieces have long been considered a keepsake by many. This is a way for his works to continue supporting the IAP that we all have learned so much from and enjoy.
This bowl is about 6.375" in diameter, about 2 inches tall and top opening is about 5.5". The wood is ash, dyed red. The grain is gold and the skin of the bowl is a dark red
The bottom is signed, "Russ Fairfield Feb '97 ASH"
This auction brings up some very good memories for me.
Although I never met Russ, his videos made you feel like he was an old pal giving you some friendly advice. I did speak to him on the phone a few times, and he was extremely cordial and friendly.
I very clearly remember watching a VHS tape of one of Russ's early penturning videos a day or so after Christmas in the late 90's. I watched it a couple times, then went down to the shop to make a pen. I'd bought all the tools and supplied from Hut, and they had arrived that day as well. I still have that pen somewhere. What a feeling, and I've always felt indebted to Russ. He often turned Pacific Yew in his videos, and I still enjoy turning that species.
Russ joined IAP on
Feb 10, 2004, and it's not a coincidence that I chose today to start this auction. He was member #94, and I was absolutely shocked when he joined. He was famous! We were in the formative stages of the IAP, and Russ was a great help and very generous with his time.
Here was Russ's first post, an answer to a question I posted on 2/13/2004 asking about the difference between the Hut Titan and the Berea El Grande
HUT is a reseller for Berea kits. The pens are identical and the parts are interchangeable. Only the packaging, label, instructions, and sometimes the price will be different.
If you need the instructions, buy the kit from HUT because their instructions are better (my opinion). Otherwise go for the lower price.
Both Berea and HUT recommend a 31/64" drill for the main body. Berea recommends a 33/64" for the cap tube, while HUT recommends a larger 17/32" The cap tube can be a tight fit in the smaller hole, and may even require sanding inside the hole if there is any fuzz from drilling. For that reason, HUT is recommending the larger drill for the cap to make it easier to glue in the tube. However, there is the increased risk of turning through the wood
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Russ Fairfield
Post Falls, Idaho
Jon, thanks for sending the bowl to a new home, and thanks for the opportunity to enjoy some fond memories of a great friend.
