Kooksa, or the wooden cup, is crafted with the skill of the native Sami people. Stay with Saeed News to get acquainted with this art.
Kooksa is a wooden cup that was traditionally made by the Sami people in Lapland or Northern Scandinavia. It has gained popularity among nature lovers worldwide and is almost irreplaceable. In the early years of the invention of the Kooksa (or Guksi), it was widely used in countries close to the Arctic Circle as a drinking cup made from burl wood, and it was considered the best option for the climate of those regions. Today, Kooksa or wooden cups are still widely used, and the craft has created a good market for wood artisans.
Thumb-sized Kooksa: This Kooksa has a depth equivalent to two thumb joints and is mostly used for decorative and aesthetic purposes. It is popular in Iran, and due to its decorative nature, any kind of wood can be used to craft it.
Guksi Kooksa: This is the most common and widely used Kooksa, as it is the perfect size for both hot and cold beverages and for serving soup.
Smag Kooksa: This is one of the oldest types of Kooksa, and there are no specific rules for crafting it. It is bowl-shaped with a long handle and can be used to serve any kind of food. However, it should be made from birch wood to avoid smell and decay.
Mag Kooksa: This type of Kooksa was used by Vikings in the past to consume beer and wine. It has a cylindrical shape and a handle.
Removing Burl Wood from the Tree: To remove the burl wood from the tree without damaging it, it is important to use a handsaw. Carefully cut the burl and cover the wound on the tree with pine oil or other sealants to help it heal quickly. The burl wood should be removed in the summer or autumn because the tree has less sap during the winter, which slows down the healing process.
Drying the Burl Wood: Fresh burl wood is softer than dried wood and easier to carve, but it must be dried to prevent damage. You can coat the wood with beeswax or polyurethane to slow the drying process. The wood should dry in a well-ventilated area for several months to a year before it can be used to make a Kooksa.
Carving the Burl Wood: Once dried, you can carve the Kooksa using appropriate tools. Some people carve it by hand, while others use machines. The process begins by drawing the initial shape of the Kooksa on the wood, hollowing it out, and finally shaping it.
Oiling the Kooksa: Once the Kooksa is shaped, it should be oiled using natural oils like linseed or olive oil. Massage the oil into the Kooksa and allow it to penetrate the wood. Repeat this several times for the final durability.
The Kooksa wooden cup was traditionally used among hikers, bushcrafters, nature explorers, and others who held it in high regard. The Kooksa is widely used in various fields such as:
Home use: Wooden cup for everyday drinking
Decorative: As a decorative item for homes
Hiking: For use in nature expeditions
The Kooksa comes in various sizes to meet the specific needs of the user, including small wooden cups, wooden mugs, soup bowls, espresso shot cups, and more.
Burl wood is a natural abnormal growth on a tree trunk or branch, caused by stress or environmental factors like fungi or viruses. The wood from the burl has no annual growth rings and is much denser than the rest of the tree. These unique features make burl wood ideal for crafting Kooksa cups as it has a special texture and durability.
Kooksa is primarily made from burl wood, which grows in a circular, irregular form on the trunk or branches of the tree. Burl wood is created due to environmental stressors like damage or infections. After removing the burl, it is carefully dried to avoid cracking, then shaped into the final product.
In the past, Kooksa cups were made from birch burl wood, but due to the limited availability of birch burl, other hardwoods such as walnut, oak, or beech are now commonly used for Kooksa production. However, Kooksa made from birch burl tends to have more durability.
Today, Kooksa cups are widely used, creating a good market for wood artisans and enthusiasts. The Kooksa cups made from burl wood are considered high-quality works of art, as each piece is unique due to the shape and patterns of the burl. Because of the limited availability of burl wood, Kooksa cups are now often made from walnut, sequoia, or other hardwoods that contain some burl, making them the best options for producing these products.
