I work with my hands, using only very simple tools: a beloved little sickle from the state of Paraíba, a made-to-order gouge, a curved blade made by cutler friend, many small knives bought in Europe. I also use rasps, files, glass chards, and even the surface of a wall on my way to the beach. To dry and bend bamboo I use the stove’s flames or the mysterious heat of the microwave. A transversal light and a dark background are of much help to evaluate what needs to be improved. Fingertips are powerful tools to check whether everything is all right. I like to use each tool to its limits, which I widen with practice and experimentation.
