The Process

Every piece begins long before the first cut is made.

At Blackburl Works, the process starts with carefully selecting hardwoods and recycled skateboard decks for their grain, colour, strength, and character. From there, each piece moves through hours of shaping, sanding, refining, and finishing by hand. Nothing is rushed, and no two pieces follow exactly the same path.

Working from a small workshop in Fernie, British Columbia, every object is created one at a time using a combination of traditional woodworking techniques and modern tools. The goal is simple: create functional art that feels exceptional in the hand, performs beautifully in everyday use, and continues to improve with age.

Every curve, joint, finish, and detail reflects time spent understanding the material rather than forcing it into a predetermined shape. The process is as much about patience as it is craftsmanship, allowing each piece to develop naturally while celebrating the character already present within the wood.

Because every board, bowl, knife handle, and object is made individually, no two will ever be exactly alike. Natural variations in grain, colour, texture, and recycled skateboard veneers ensure every finished piece carries its own identity while remaining unmistakably Blackburl.

A variety of wooden logs stacked together, showcasing different wood textures and colors.
A close-up view of stacked black skateboard decks with worn edges and scratches, resting on a flat surface.

Carefully Chosen Material

Every project begins with material selection. Rather than cutting identical parts from identical boards, each species of hardwood is chosen for the project it will become. Grain direction, colour, figure, stability, and natural character all influence the design before a tool ever touches the wood.

Recycled skateboard decks bring another layer of individuality. Built from dyed Canadian maple veneers, every deck reveals unique colours and patterns that cannot be recreated, allowing discarded materials to become functional art with an entirely new purpose.

Explore Materials
Cleaning a handcrafted safety razor with a premium burl wood handle at Blackburl Works in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada.
Close-up of a handcrafted shou sugi ban bowl being brushed by hand to reveal the grain after charring. Featuring a recycled skateboard inlay, each Blackburl Works bowl is crafted one at a time in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada.

Hours In Every Piece

Creating a finished piece takes far more than shaping wood.

Hours are spent refining curves, adjusting proportions, sanding every surface by hand, and applying finishes that enhance the natural beauty of the material while protecting it for everyday use. Small refinements made throughout the process often become the details that quietly define the finished object.

Rather than pursuing speed, the focus remains on craftsmanship—allowing every stage of the process to receive the attention it deserves.

Sharpening a bowl gouge before hand turning hardwood bowls at Blackburl Works in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada.
Woodworker inspecting a handcrafted segmented wood bowl made from premium hardwoods in the Blackburl Works workshop in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada. Each one-of-one piece reflects the craftsmanship and attention to detail behind every Blackburl c

FAQs

Why do you use recycled skateboard decks?

1

Recycled skateboard decks combine vibrant layers of Canadian maple with a unique history that can't be replicated. By giving discarded skateboards a second life, Blackburl transforms a well-used material into functional art while reducing waste. Every deck carries its own colours, wear, and character, making every finished piece one of a kind.

How long does a piece take to make?

2

Every project is different. Depending on the design, a piece may require many hours—or several days—of material selection, shaping, sanding, finishing, and final refinement. The focus is never on speed, but on creating something built to be used and made to last.

Every finish is chosen to suit the purpose of the piece. Cutting boards and serving boards are protected with Blackburl Butter, a food-safe blend of Canadian mineral oil, organic Canadian beeswax, and citrus. Bowls, furniture, and other pieces receive finishes selected to enhance the natural beauty of the wood while providing lasting protection and durability.

3

What finishes do you use?

Yes. Blackburl welcomes custom commissions based on availability and the scope of the project. If you have an idea for a one-of-a-kind serving board, knife, bowl, or other functional art piece, get in touch to discuss your vision. Every commission is designed specifically for the client while staying true to the Blackburl philosophy of Imperfect Sophistication. Contact

4

Can I request a custom piece?

Explore More

Close-up of various pieces of wood, showing different textures and grain patterns, stacked together in a random arrangement.
Close-up of stacked skateboard decks with worn edges on a dark surface.
Close-up of a Japanese Damascus steel kitchen knife with a recycled skateboard handle resting on a wooden cutting board.
Close-up of a Japanese Damascus steel kitchen knife with a recycled skateboard handle resting on a wooden cutting board.
Close-up side view of a wooden bowl with colourful recycled skateboard striped patterns, placed on a white surface.
A wooden serving board with a colourful, circular recycled skateboard mosaic design and a thin, mahogany wood running across it, against a plain, light-colored background.

Traditional Craft. Modern Precision.

Blackburl combines traditional woodworking with carefully chosen modern technology.

Hand turning, carving, shaping, and finishing remain at the heart of every piece, while tools such as precision laser engraving help create clean details without replacing the craftsmanship behind them. Technology supports the work—it never defines it.

Imperfect Sophistication

Blackburl is built on the belief that true craftsmanship isn't about hiding every imperfection—it's about understanding the beauty within it.

Grain that shifts unexpectedly. Knots that tell the story of a tree. The worn colours of recycled skateboard decks. Small variations shaped by hand rather than machine.

Every decision embraces character instead of uniformity, creating functional art that feels refined without losing its authenticity.

This is Imperfect Sophistication.

A wooden bowl with a smooth, rounded shape and colorful recycled skateboard veneers along its outer edge, placed on a plain white background.
A wooden bowl with a smooth, rounded shape and colorful recycled skateboard veneers along its outer edge, placed on a plain white background.

Designed To Be Used

Beautiful objects deserve to be part of everyday life.

Rather than creating work intended only for display, Blackburl pieces are designed to be handled, used, maintained, and appreciated over time. Daily use becomes part of their story, allowing wood to develop character while remaining functional for years to come.

Handcrafted hardwood bottle stopper displayed in a crystal spirits decanter alongside handcrafted hardwood coasters by Blackburl Works in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada. Made from premium hardwoods with signature geometric detailing, each one-of-on
Signature-style text reading 'Bradley Flagate' in green script.

Imperfect Sophistication.

Contact us

Have a question, interested in a piece, or considering custom work? Get in touch using the form. We’ll respond as soon as we can.

A wooden bowl, a piece of burl wood, a knife with colourful recycled skateboard handle, and the knife's blade with intricate Japanese Damascus steel patterns and a mark for blackburl works