When to stain /oil carving

Spoonless

New Member
Jul 22, 2020
1
0
46
Leeds
Hi, I am a total novice but have made my first spoon and pendant. I made this from wood I found down a snicket. I think it as a Norway maple as very light in colour, almost white. How dry should the wood be before a treat it and any advice on Best approaches?
 

Fraxinus

Settler
Oct 26, 2008
935
31
Canterbury
If the wood for the spoon was green (wet) when carved leave it in some wood shavings for a few days to dry slowly. I would then oil it with walnut oil which will darken it slightly but does not go rancid.
 

Mesquite

It is what it is.
Mar 5, 2008
28,216
3,196
63
~Hemel Hempstead~
As Fraxinus said though what I do before I oil mine is to put them in the oven at about 70degC for between 5 to 10 minutes depending on size.

This opens up the pores driving out extra moisture and when you oil the utensil as the wood cools it draws the oil deeper into it. Once there it's fixed and won't leach out when used on hot foods.

After that I just let use develop a patina on them.
 

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