It has been a hot minute since the last forum challenge, but here we are! 
This month's challenge is to turn a calabash bowl, but not just any calabash: We want you to turn a tall end grain calabash, called a puahala. This is one of the more challenging calabashes to turn, as it is taller than it is wide. It is also quite a difficult form to get "right". Here are a few general guidelines for the calabash form (including the puahala):
Here are a few puahala photos for inspiration (made by Emiliano Achaval, Kelly Dunn, and Pat Kramer [photo by Andi Wolfe], respectively):
If interested in learning more about traditional Hawaiian calabashes, here are links (PDFs) to a couple of excellent articles:
Here are the rules for this month's challenge, as determined by AAW Forum legal counsel Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe:
This month's challenge is to turn a calabash bowl, but not just any calabash: We want you to turn a tall end grain calabash, called a puahala. This is one of the more challenging calabashes to turn, as it is taller than it is wide. It is also quite a difficult form to get "right". Here are a few general guidelines for the calabash form (including the puahala):
- There should be no flat spots in the bowl's profile. Calabashes are all about subtle curves and flowing transitions.
- Round bottom is a requirement. No foot allowed. However, given that we tend to place bowls on flat surfaces nowadays, it's common for bottoms to have a small dimple (note, small and concave, not a flat).
- The widest point should be about a third of the distance from the bottom of the bowl.
- Puahala calabashes (among others) should come in a bit near the rim, and the walls should almost (but not quite) straighten.
Here are a few puahala photos for inspiration (made by Emiliano Achaval, Kelly Dunn, and Pat Kramer [photo by Andi Wolfe], respectively):
If interested in learning more about traditional Hawaiian calabashes, here are links (PDFs) to a couple of excellent articles:
- The Hawaiian Calabash by Emiliano Achaval
- Umeke La'au: A Rich Hawaiian Tradition by Sharon Doughtie
Here are the rules for this month's challenge, as determined by AAW Forum legal counsel Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe:
- End grain orientation only. This is the traditional orientation for this type of calabash. Twice turned is usually the method to achieve the best radial symmetry; however, that is certainly not a requirement for the challenge. If turning from green stock, try to center the pith or take a photo before warping occurs.
- Calabash must be taller than it is wide. Although there is no strict definition for how much taller, for the sake of this challenge, let's say that your puahala needs to be at least 20% taller than wide (1.2 ratio - multiply your diameter by 1.2 to determine the minimum height). Dimensions are required along with your photo. There is no size requirement aside from meeting the 1.2 height/diameter ratio. There are no bonus points for going big.
- One entry per person, one photo, and dimensions are required to verify the ratio has been met.
- Entries must be posted in this thread by 11:59 pm Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on November 25, 2024.
- As always, this is a turning contest, not a "moldy oldie" photo contest, so in fairness to everybody, make sure your work is something you have made since this challenge was issued on November 1, 2024.
- You may not post any photos of your entry in this month’s challenge in any other thread or in the gallery until the voting has ended and a winner has been declared.
- Voting will take place from November 26, 2024, through 11:59 pm UTC on November 30, 2024.
- Solicitation of votes will result in disqualification.
- The winner might have to pass a lie detector test before collecting the grand prize of a dogleg high-carbon continental gouge. Good luck, have fun, make shavings, and let the chips fall where they may!!
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