Thomas Koumarakos

Woodworker

©Workshop by Tom

Olive wood for everyday use

Thomas opened his first workshop in 1969
He works only with local olive wood
Hand tools are his favourites

Thomas Koumarakos has been running his wood workshop for over 50 years. Located on the Greek island of Corfu, he handcrafts a wide variety of everyday objects: cookware, pepper mills and chess sets, among many others. All items are made exclusively from olive wood which is then finished with olive oil. The abundance of this tree in Corfu allows him a local production. Thomas' approach to woodcarving remains straightforward: he likes to work using only a few hand tools, such as chisels and knives. “I don't have any specific techniques. As I often tell my clients, I'll gladly do any order, any design”. The fascination Thomas has for woodcarving has remained intact over his many years of experience: “This craft fulfils me. I couldn’t do anything else.”

Interview

©Workshop by Tom

©Workshop by Tom

What is a memorable moment from your career?: One moment that remains particularly engraved in my memory is the day when a customer came in while I was just starting to make a bowl. As he wanted to buy it, he stayed in my workshop for five hours, watching me craft and finish the object.
What do people usually not know about woodworking?: The secret that people usually don't know is that you have to let the wood dry in the shade for a considerable number of years. Depending on the size of the wood, its dimensions, this can vary a lot. But this step plays a major role in being able to work the material.
Have you evolved your technique over the years?: The way I work is mostly by hand, which means that the majority of the objects I carve are made with a chisel, knives, and rubbing by hand at the end. Sometimes of course, I also work with a wood lathe and a few other bigger tools and machines.
What do you enjoy most about your craft?: The fact that I start working with a simple piece of wood, a log, and it becomes a real object. I transform it. I would say that it is this whole process that I love. All the steps of the process!

Thomas Koumarakos is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1969