I lak leetl spoons...

[Toddy]

Has anyone tired these carving tools?

http://www.earthguild.com/products/woodwork/flexriff.htm

I use one of the Japanes flexible saws andit's brilliant, even when bent at right angles and cutting green wood, so I'm tempted by this advert.
Toddy

 

[Hoodoo]

I have a few flexcut tools and they are top notch. They come scary sharp too. Would not hesitate to buy more.

 

[Squidders]

Hoodoo - you have too many pointy things!

There aren't really enough superlatives to cover your collection :biggthump

 

[Toddy]

I have a few flexcut tools and they are top notch. They come scary sharp too. Would not hesitate to buy more.

Now I'm *really* tempted...
My dad used to carve matchsticks into little chains...think he did it just to prove he could, he liked miniature work. I've seen lathe turners make a wooden cage of balls, but to do it with pocket knives.....very impressive hoodoo :notworthy

Toddy

 

[Paleoaleo]

Hoodoo, beautiful spoon! I like the flowing shape of that. As a fellow spoon carver, I might have to "borrow" your idea! Your photo is beautiful too! Great work.

Tom

 

[Hoodoo]

Help yourself. I stole it from a Chinese exhibit at the Art Institute in Chicago.

This is one I carved out of mahogany:

This is the Chinese spoon I picked up in the Art Institute gift shop that I based it on.

 

[Paleoaleo]

Beautiful! Thanks...you're inspiring me to new projects! Which is why I visit this great website. Thanks bro.

Tom

 

[leon-1]

Beautiful! Thanks...you're inspiring me to new projects! Which is why I visit this great website. Thanks bro.

Tom

He has that effect

 

[Ronin]

Hoodoo,

All I can say is bloody hellfire

Way too good! Do you do commissions...need a 7 piece dining table and matching oak kitchen

Sean.

 

[Eric_Methven]

Yup, nice little spoon. I like the nice finish. I tend not to finish mine as I use them in a living history context where they would have been rough and ready anyway.

These were done in the field from half logs.

The welsh love spoon was done for my beloved last valentines day.

This is the portable jig I put over my knee when carving as it leaves both hands free. A piece of cord goes from the leather strap, under my raised heel and back up to the strap on the other side. When I lower my heel the strap tightens like a vice trapping the spoon nice an tight. When I want to move the piece, I just raise my heel. I'll be bringing it to the paleo weekend.

Eric

 

[Hoodoo]

Beautiful spoons Eric. That carving jig is absolutely brilliant!

 

[innocent bystander]

I have a few flexcut tools and they are top notch. They come scary sharp too. Would not hesitate to buy more.

Don't know if anyone know's, but i have just noticed that Axminster power tools are selling the carving jack now...

 

[theorsmeister]

Lovely stuff

How long did it take u to carve like that

and got any tips

btw, were those tools in the photo, the only ones u used on it

wish i had some walnut near me

i only got beech, chestnut, oak, birch

and a couple of others, but the wood is either quite plain, or too hard to work
(specially for a novice carver, such as myself)

 

[Stew]

I'm sure you can find yourself some Lime. Very easy stuff to carve.

 

[theorsmeister]

Nice job!!!

Wish i cud do that.

Can u use the back of a knife blade, or do u actually have to buy a scraper.

Or cud I use my metal ruler??

Anyway, good work there

 

[AJB]

Your work is beautiful.

Having just bought my first carving knife, I’m waiting for my hands to heal before having another attempt at a spoon. I would just like to echo some of the other questions – how long and any tips?

My first attempt started as an unpromising lump of wood transitioned through a stage where one might recognise a spoon and finally formed beautiful nesting material. It doesn’t bode well for my future abilities!

 

[Hoodoo]

Since there are a couple of us here that have posted spoons, I'm not sure who you are addressing. I guess since someone mentioned scrapers, that's probabaly me. The spine of a knife can make a good scraper if the metal is hard and the edges are not rounded. For scraping the bowl of a spoon, you need a small scraper that is rounded. A short piece of hacksaw blade will work but it's hard work because they tend to be flexible and you have to choke up on them pretty good. If you can find some hardened steel, you can use a grinder to shape it and make your own scrapers. Commercial scraper though are usually pretty cheap.

As for how long, that depends on the type of wood you are using, how much experience you have at carving, and how complicated the design is. Soft woods carve a lot faster obviously.

 

[Eric_Methven]

Good points Hoodoo and also woth mentioning that freshly cut unseasoned wood carves much easier than seasoned wood. A bit like moulding with clay and carving a brick.

Eric

 

[FeralSheryl]

Darn that Carvin' Jack, what a great little tool. I want one now.
Nice spoons Guys.

 

[arctic hobo]

Nice job!!!

Wish i cud do that.

Can u use the back of a knife blade, or do u actually have to buy a scraper.

Or cud I use my metal ruler??

Anyway, good work there

Call me picky but I know a lot of people on the forum prefer to use normal English - it's clearer and more pleasant to read.