Nentome’s Field Guide to Traditional Barrel-Making

Field notes

The guide treats cooperage as a sequence of material decisions rather than a generic craft overview. It explains why staves are split instead of sawn, how air-drying affects later watertightness, and why a usable yield below one-third of the trunk can be normal. The stated moisture target is about 14 percent, while the usual drying period is 18 to 36 months. Separate sections cover the groove for the barrel heads, hoop fitting, leak testing, and tool functions.