First spoon

[Pablo]

Always wanted to do a spoon, so here's the end result of the first one.

Can anyone identify the wood? I haven't got a clue. It was part of a fallen log. What is the best wood to carve from?

Pablo

 

[Ralph]

Nice. Whatever wood it is you've certainly carved it well. Looks a bit like yew but lets hope not if you want to eat with it.
Can you post a picture of the wood with the bark on?

 

[fred gordon]

Great spoon. I'm in the process of carving my first. I believe birch is a good wood to go for, as is sycamore.

 

[hawsome34]

Nice spoon,

I'm in the process of carving my first, sent off for a crook knife, asking for a double edged(coz I'm cack handed) got a right handed one. Had a go with it, but gonna wait for the correct knife to appear. Will post pic then.

What are people using to finish inside the bowl off? Just good old sandpaper I imagine.

Good luck on sppon number 2, its addictive. And as said by Fred, Sycamore is nice to carve, and safe too. It has a nice grain I think.

 

[pibbleb]

Nice spoon.

Went to the woods today to get some wood to try my first spoon but got side tracked by the kids falling in a stream, not that it mattered really, as we were pretty wet anyway.

I heard sycamore and Birch were good to carve with but need to find at log first.

Is everyone using a crook knife and why is Yew a bad wood?

Once again good spoon.

Pib

 

[pibbleb]

Nice spoon.

Went to the woods today to get some wood to try my first spoon but got side tracked by the kids falling in a stream, not that it mattered really, as we were pretty wet anyway.

I heard sycamore and Birch were good to carve with but need to find at log first.

Is everyone using a crook knife and why is Yew a bad wood?

Once again good spoon.

Pib

P.S. Just checked my Ray Mears Outdoor survival handbook, sad I know but it says 'Yew Very hard and springy, with beautiful red heartwood; makes excellant bows, spoons and bowls. Not for Beginners'

Is this not correct?

 

[Ralph]

virtually every part of yew is poisonous!!

 

[janiepopps]

I was just about to post a 'wanted' for a right handed crook, so Hawsome if you wanna free up some space and sell me yours - let me know!! (Hey if you never ask you never get!)
With regards to finishing the bowl, best to wait till the wood isnt so green otherwise it just gums up the sandpaper (but dont let it dry out in a warm room as it may crack...)
And then the best bit - rub in copious amounts of oil (I used good ol' fashioned olive oil)

 

[BobFromHolland]

I made a tea spoon out of yew and am still alive.
I guess the amount of toxins coming out of a carved yew spoon after a couple of minutes in boiling water are not dangerous any more.

I won't be making yew-needle tea though!