Carving A Spoon Blank

[Kepis]

Ive had a couple of people ask how i carve my spoon blanks out with the axe, below is a video that i made a little while ago and recently reuploaded to my YT Channel that may help. It may not be the best way, or the right way in the eyes of some, but it works for me.

 

[g4ghb]

Nice video mate, shows your process clearly.

 

[Madriverrob]

Thanks , will watch this later......

 

[Wayne]

Nice. Quite a few folk struggle with carving a crank shows your process nicely.

 

[Muddypaws]

Wish I was as good with an axe as you are....

Serious skills envy here, but thanks for taking the time to share the video.

 

[Kepis]

cheers all.

 

[Fraxinus]

I noticed the way you instinctively choked up on the axe as you got close to your other hand and when you needed more controlled cuts from the power cuts you had been making, this speaks volumes to me. You know what you want to produce and just how to use the tool to make it happen. Blow any ideas of if it is "the right or wrong way" it is a very safe and economic way of working.
Cool video, thank you.
Rob.

 

[Mesquite]

Nice video Mark.

It speaks volumes of your skill that you make it look so simple

 

[snappingturtle]

Very enjoyable watching you rough that out, like the step cuts and then you taking the whole section out from the top

 

[Ed the Ted]

Great vid, its so satisfying how a bit of practiced skill makes a relatively straightforward job look (and feel) completely effortless! I carved my first spoon in ages last night, looking forward to getting back into it to make a few as gifts and this was great motivation.

 

[Tiley]

That's been a really useful, informative film - many thanks for posting.

I noticed that you do not us the natural curvature of the piece of wood for the bowl of the spoon. I was wondering why that was? I was lead to believe that if you cut across the grain of the wood, you weaken it; as a result, I have always 'followed the grain' when carving the bowls of spoons, often using the wood to define the shape of the bowl. I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts on this and, in the meantime, I might try roughing things out in the way you demonstrate.

 

[Kepis]

That's been a really useful, informative film - many thanks for posting.

I noticed that you do not us the natural curvature of the piece of wood for the bowl of the spoon. I was wondering why that was? I was lead to believe that if you cut across the grain of the wood, you weaken it; as a result, I have always 'followed the grain' when carving the bowls of spoons, often using the wood to define the shape of the bowl. I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts on this and, in the meantime, I might try roughing things out in the way you demonstrate.

I do carve natural crooks and the like, but I also really like carving straight /radially split wood, yes you end up with end grain in the lip of the bowl, but ive used an end grain eating and cooking spoons for ages and not had any chip out, way i figure it is im not digging holes with my spoons, just eating my dinner and there is not a great deal of stress on the bowl lip.

 

[Tiley]

... I'm not digging holes with my spoons, just eating my dinner and there is not a great deal of stress on the bowl lip.

Good point! I'm going to give it a try; after all, there is more than one way to skin a cat!

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Kepis]

Good point! I'm going to give it a try; after all, there is more than one way to skin a cat!

Thanks for your thoughts.

That there is, let us know how you get on with it

 

[Hunkyfunkster]

That was very satisfying to watch. You made it look quick and easy, I would expect nothing less from a talented spoon carver like yourself

 

[Sundowner]

Enjoyed watching that video. Have I missed what wood this is?

 

[Kepis]

Enjoyed watching that video. Have I missed what wood this is?

Glad you enjoyed it, wood was Hazel

 

[Sundowner]

Glad you enjoyed it, wood was Hazel

The one wood I didn't even think aboutbeven though I made an axe handle of hazel.