FIRST spoon

[Landy_Dom]

So here we are.... Landy_Dom's first spoon:

made from freshly cut sycamore, split with a billhook, carved with a medium sized locking folder and the bowl gouged with the small blade of my SAK. finished with sandpaper, stained with walnut stain and a little flame singeing and coated with danish oil.

Some thoughts:

I like the curvature to it, and the proportions of the neck.

I really didn't like the walnut stain - perhaps using green wood meant it didn't take very well? It did however massively highlight the flaws in the bowl (overcutting) - shame.

I REALLY want a spoon knife - the bowl is totally inadequate and the sidewall really thick. Not really a user.

The flame marking was quite nice but a bit too localised - probably need to do it over a fire and not with a lighter ( ! )

I gave it to my belle soeur (corsican sister-in-law) who was cooing over it

I think I might invest in a spoon knife and do a few more (my nephew has asked for one too!)

 

[John Fenna]

Not bad - for a Gog!
You obviously have the knack of self critisism - the points you raise are all well made - but you also seem to have got the bug and the realisation that hand carved spoons make great gifts.....
Try a trad Welsh "Love Spoon" - simply carve in a heart instead of the cross hatching or carve the end of the spoon into a heart shape - for that inimittable, romantic Welsh touch!
Every spoon is different and a unique challenge.

When I look back on my first attempts - I shudder!
But now I love to carve spoons, love eating with them and love giving them as gifts!
Keep up the good work (though I would leave each spoon its natural colour myself...

 

[Treemonk]

great first attempt on that - particularly with no spoon knife! I can add no more than you have said yourself.
If you are looking on buying a spoon knife, I'll add my experiences. I'm not a fan of the frost's spoon knives, I battled on with one for a while then bought one of Ben Orford's creations and never looked back. Sharpens better, less leverage problems, feels better in the hand....

Have fun with your wittling!

 

[Barney]

nice that with just a knife, great handle and artwork.

Did you use it?

 

[Rothley Bill]

I like it, much better than my first efforts and done without a crook knife, well done

 

[DoctorSpoon]

That's a great job you've done considering the tools! If you want to set yourself up cheaply get a Frosts 106 sloyd knife and a Frosts curved knife (the one just sharpened on one edge with quite a tight curve). They both cost around a tenner and will transform your spoon carving experience!
Nicola

 

[Ozhaggishead]

Nice work mate!

 

[hog]

Very respectable for a first spoon.

 

[Landy_Dom]

thanks for the comments, guys

a question - do you oil it straight after carving - whilst it is still green, or do you dry it first?

cheers

Dom.

 

[dangerpie]

I feel you have been very hard on yourself for a lovely spoon. I haven't tried my hand at any spoon making yet, if I create anything similar with my first attempt i'll be very pleased with myself

Have you given it a first meal yet?

Pete