Before I go buy the wrong size perhaps I should ask the experts first!

Which size(s) fork should a beginner absolutely have?

I keep dithering between 1, 1.5, 2 or 2.5. Leaning towards 1 and 2.5 from Crazy Woman site.

I've been practicing my first effort between a plastic comb and heavy weighted kitchen fork - which worked better for "not putting it down".

Laurie in Maine

 

Comments

Fri, 01/29/2010 - 15:59

bolivian warmi

This is not an expert replying, by the way!

I used this fork for all my Navajo style rugs-just picked this one up at a Trading Post and was not even aware that they came in different sizes. I guess I was lucky as it was perfect. I always used the same weight warp and spacing as in the  Bennet and Bighorse book that you are using.

I hope you can translate this picture to the numbers you are referring to and that this might help. Some of my Navajo style rugs are on my project page.

Laverne

Fri, 01/29/2010 - 16:51

claudia (not verified)

I received my loom and beginners kit as a gift 2 years ago. My friend did all the research and bought everything from Mark Deschinney in Window Rock, AZ. When we were there in September 2009 we met him and saw his work/living space.  He also makes fabulous Navajo spindles and I bought one from him. He doesn't spin so I had to find a Navajo woman to teach me and we met a family of Navajo weavers and spinners at the trading post at Two Gray Hills Toadlena Trading Post. I wrote about my visit here if you want to take a look and read about my experience.

All that to say I have a 2" fork and a 1" fork and use the larger one most of the time.  I bought the smaller one because I was at Toadlena and wanted to get something as a useful remembrance of my visit.

Claudia

Sun, 01/31/2010 - 17:08

MaryMartha

navajo forks - 2 on left are Dine made. middle is Al Snipes. tiny is unknown

Also not an expert....

 I bought several Al Snipes Navajo-style forks, which I think is what's on the crazy woman site.  The nicest of them is cherry, about 1 3/4 " X 9" (6 tines per inch) and works  well with my c-cactus flower maxi loom.   The other Snipes forks were exotic woods --  too lightweight and the tines were sharp rather than rounded. I gave them to my nephews to use on lap looms.

On Mark Deschinny's Yazhi loom, i use a fork  from the Black Mesa weaver's collective. http://www.migrations.com/blackmesa/woolforsale.html   It is 2" X 11" and more like 4 tines per inch.   When it first arrived, I thought it was heavy and huge and  was dismayed by the shiny polyurethane coating.  The more I use it, the more comfortable it becomes and is no longer shiny. 

It was a surprise to me that this fork works well even on a closely-set warp (about 15 epi).   I am learning to use just the last quarter inch of the tines, rather than inserting the fork deep into the warp and hitting the warp with the back of the tines.  Even after watching Angie Walker Maloney's  video, I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong until this big fork and the close warp forced me to work only at the edge.  I hope that makes sense.

I have two finishing forks. One is from Mark and is 3/4" x 6.5" (on far left in photo). I went for the more expensive traditional wood (Mark has a range of options) and it is lovely -- very lightweight and smooth.  I don't get to use it much - I don't finish that often - but it is something to look forward to.   By the way, Mark was having a sale which I think ends tomorrow http://markdeschinny.com/ 

I also have a tiny finishing fork I picked up at Maryland Sheep and Wool. It is 3/4" by 4.5" and only  1/8" thick.  The tines are a little sharp but it gets into some very tight places.

If you have small hands, you might prefer 1 1/2". Otherwise, maybe start with 2". The 1" and smaller are for finishing, I think, and 2 1/2 would only make sense on a big rug-sized loom.

 

Sun, 09/19/2010 - 22:30

craigeann (not verified)

Your comments about the forks were very helpful. Thanks

Mon, 03/07/2011 - 08:27

alsnipes (not verified)

Mary,  I use to leave the tines on my comb sharp on purpose. For the past year or so, I have been rounding the tines slightly because of a concern for safety.   I asked many many customers about the sharpness and was told it was no problem.  My thinking is that many weavers perfer the tines sharp and I get so many complements on that.  For those who perfer duller tines, it only takes a few passes with 220 grit sand paper to round them off slightly to the weavers liking.  The combs are finished with danish finishing oil, so that the finish can quickly be referbished by use of tung oil.  The combs I make for Cactus Flower Looms have 7 times per inch per her request.  I usually refer to them as finishing combs.   I make many different sizes of combs.  Most combs have 4 times per inch.   If you wish you can visit my Facebook photo album 'Snipes Weaving Tools' to see all of them.  Combs range from 1/4" to 1 1/2" thick, 4" to 12" in length, and 3/4" to 3" in width.  It is all what the customer wants.

You have a great day and enjoy your weaving experiences.  Al Snipes

Tue, 05/17/2011 - 04:58

alsnipes (not verified)

Laverne,  Though it doesn't appear as such from your photo, the tongs are spaced approximately 4 tongs per inch when measured from the outside edge of the outer tooth.  Each tooth consists of two parts...The tooth and the gap to the next tooth.   That gives you the 4 tongs per inch. Hope this helps...

Fri, 06/10/2011 - 15:56

willow weaves (not verified)

Also not an expert.. BUT I like the 2" combs the best, for general weaving. It is good to have a small finishing fork, and THAT is truly useful for small pattern areas in the tapestry that might need a little extra persuasion. I use it often while weaving. You will find that you keep that little comb close to you!
Wed, 11/16/2011 - 08:25

Deschinny

Ya'at'eeh,

I make various sized combs(forks) for various purposes and I do use various woods.  Primarily, I use cherry oak and walnut, but I do make tools out of local Navajo woods for premium tools.  Common Navajo combs I makeAll teeth are hand-sanded and rounded for no warp snagging.  All combs are finely finished with Danish oil and polished with a paste wax for a beautiful glean and long lasting protection.  I have attached a photograph of some combs I typically make for tool kits or individual orders.  The largest comb is 2.125" x 10"(5.4cm x 25.4cm) with 9 teeth and it's made of walnut  The next smaller size comb is 1.625" x 9"(4.1cm x 22.9cm) with seven teeth and it's made of walnut.  The next size smaller comb is the 1.5" x 8"(3.8cm x 20.3cm) with seven teeth and it's made of cherry oak.  The smallest comb is the finishing comb, 3/4" x 6"(1.9cm x 15.2cm) with four teeth and it's made of walnut.

Again, these are just the standard combs I make.  If you want a finer tooth comb, I can make it.  You need teeth to be longer, I can make it.  Just give me some dimensions and wood, and I can quote you the comb. 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at [email protected] or (928) 871-5587.  I hope to hear from you soon.  In the mean time, take care and peace be upon you and your weavings.

Tue, 12/31/2013 - 21:30

Red Gate Weaver

Intended to create a new post. Sorry.

Group Audience
Navajo Weaving Techniques