Sharif Adams is a pole-lathe turner and tool maker living and working on Dartmoor. He turned his first bowl on a pole-lathe nearly fifteen years ago and has been obsessed with the craft ever since. Initially inspired by wooden vessels from Scandinavia and medieval England, he has explored the various processes and techniques required for turning drinking vessels, flasks and lidded boxes as well as plates and bowls. He sells woodenware and bowl-turning tools to customers around the world.
For five years Sharif lived off-grid in a 32 acre woodland; part of a low impact, intentional community on Dartmoor. Those years had a profound influence on his outlook on life and work. He continues to live a simple life close to nature, based now on a Dartmoor farm. He is part of 'The Dartmoor Artisan Trail', a self-guided art, craft and food trail which links Dartmoor's diverse artisan community, giving the public the chance to glimpse behind the workshop walls and try their hand at traditional skills.
Sharif has been teaching the craft of pole-lathe turning for well over a decade. In that time he has taught a great many people from all around the world, many of whom have now become full time professional pole-lathe turners and teachers in their own right. Sharing this passion for traditional turning remains at the very heart of what he loves to do.
