Guksi or guksie
Manufacture
The burl is contoured to a rough shape, carefully dried to prevent the wood from cracking, then formed in accordance with the local traditions. Birch burl
kuksas last longer than plain birch
kuksas. Originally
guksi, or
kuksa, were widely used in Arctic areas as a personal drinking cup; a well-made
guksi would last a lifetime.
[material that a Kuksa is made of: http://finnish-puukko.blogspot.com/2007/02/kuksa-ancient-lapland-drinking-cup.html ]
Maintenance
Guksi was traditionally only rinsed with clean water and dried with a cloth after use. No detergents are used, since many people believe that it will damage a
guksi.
Modern guksis
Today, a traditional
guksi is difficult to find outside northern Scandinavia, partly because burls are seldom harvested in modern mechanized forestry. With the introduction of glass, ceramic and metal drinkingware, the skill of making such
duodji artwork has become a
Hobby rather than the essential one as it was in the past. It is considered an advanced level
whittling project.
Nowadays it is also used for
bushcraft. When used this way, it is carved by the person who is going to use it, or it is a gift from a friend.
See also
External links
