Beginners attempts at whittling...

[PaulSanderson]

Hiya guys and gals...

Im relatively new to whittling/carving, but in the last few months have had a go at producing something of some use instead of putting my efforts on the fire...so here are a few spoons and a hazel ring I crafted for the future Mrs P. Starting on the left my first ever Laburnum spoon (finding out afterwards its poisonous), followed by a beech spoon (wood had already seasoned and was like stone!), followed by a willow spoon and butter knife...hopefully you can see some improvement from left to right!!

Any advice/criticism welcome...

and for the hazel ring, it started like this...

...so I sliced off a fraction with a saw, and using just an Opinel, it turned into this...

...and a tiny bit of sanding later it turned out like this...

I found the ring making process really REALLY simple, and plan on doing many more, maybe involving some colrosing if I am able.

So thanks for looking

Pablo...

 

[Retired Member southey]

Brilliant matey, its nice to see the progression, I really like the ring idea, as does Wifey!!(git) you've really got the proportions right on your latest spoon. Yaaaaaay!

 

[morch]

Nice work bud, knocks mine into a tin hat

Dave

 

[kodiakjoe]

Nice willow spoon Pablo, looks really good in the hand. Every piece of wood teaches you something new, that's what i love about carving - keep at it

 

[PaulSanderson]

thanks guys! im really getting into this carving lark, thanks to southey for the inspiration! davina, just make your missus one...it takes less than an hour

 

[lou1661]

They look fantastic mate, you and your betrothed must be well chuffed.

Cheers
Louis
Ps in the third pic down what sort of brick is that?

 

[PaulSanderson]

cheers LouLou...aye we're super stoked 12 weeks left..eek!! was thinking of carving her a wedding spoon, inscribed etc...for all the meals she'll be cooking once we're married (jokes!) ha ha.

One of the bridesmaids was watching me carve the latest creation and wants one as her wedding favour (?!)

 

[lou1661]

make sure the wedding spoon is of a nice light wood, like balsa for when you get battered with it for that comment!
Seriously though, really good work

 

[Whittler Kev]

Nice going. Don't forget to take the sharp edges off as they will rub when wearing the ring (the reason why most rings have rounded edges)

 

[PaulSanderson]

cheers for all the advice fellas! no sharp edges and balsa...safety first!!

 

[Home Guard]

Hi Paul. The hazel you used. Was it still green or did you let it dry?
And what did you finish it with?

 

[trekkingnut]

how did you do the inside of the ring?

 

[Bushcraftsman]

these look really good! you can definitely see an improvement! keep it up well done

 

[dancan]

Beginners attempts at whittling....

Nice , nothing wrong with the work you've done but be careful , it's addictive .

 

[Virgil]

First attempts? Both amazing and demoralising at the same time... Mine looks like it was carved by a five, no four, year old....

 

[PaulSanderson]

thanks for all the kind words guys...

The hazel was green when I got my hands on it. To carve out the inside, I simply made a slight depression with the tip of my knife and rotated it (think hearthboard for bowdrill). Slowly but surely a hole appeared then it was simply a case of taking off the excess around the outside. To get a smooth finish I simply rubbed it down with a bit of sandpaper and finished with some linseed oil...

 

[bear1873]

very nice buddy

 

[Elen Sentier]

Nice, helpful - want to start myself so this gave me a boost.

 

[sargey]

The ring's awesome. The awl on your swiss army knife is an ideal tool for starting the inside. An easy way to make woggles for scouts too.

Laburnum is notionally toxic. But you do need to ingest a significant quantity for it to be dangerous. Just try not to swallow the spoon whole and you should be alright! It does make lovely looking carvings.

Cheers, and.

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