My first attempt at a spoon

[chris_irwin]

EDIT: So after finally getting a proper carving knife and a spoon knife for Christmas, I finished the spoon off. It's still a bit wonky and rough around the edges, but I am reasonably pleased with the outcome (finished with mineral oil):

I had my first attempt at carving a vaguely spoon shaped object today. I used a dead piece of birch, cut with my new laplander saw and had a go at carving it with an axe and a mora 780.

I ended up hacking a little more off than I had planned, but I altered it into a salvagable tea spoon .

I have yet to carve the bowl out as I do not currently have a crook knife. That's next on the list.

So It's still a work in progress. I'm reasonably pleased with how it went for a first attempt, but I think that I can improve a lot next time. However, I did learn a lot about the process and it was good practice.

Take a look and let me know if you have any tips and tricks for me

 

[shaggystu]

that's not bad at all for a first effort chris, well done.

one simple trick if you're finding yourself removing too much material is to put a pencil line where you want to carve down to, then don't go over it! the second part being the critical part.

best advice i can give is to slow down, no matter how slow you think you're already going sit down and ask the question "am i rushing this" then go and put the kettle on whilst you think of an answer. it takes a long long time to get the feel for the grain of a piece of wood, as anyone who's ever seen me whittling anything will tell you i sepnd most of my time just holding the work up to the light and looking at it, in the case of a spoon i'm looking for a spoon and sometimes it's really well hidden by all the tree wrapped around it.

keep at it chap, it get's easier and easier every time you try.

cheers

stuart

 

[TylerD]

As a novice carver myself, I'd say Shaggystu's advice is spot on, I'm forever rushing (unintentionally, but I hate to leave a job unfinished) and things then never look quite how they did in my head.

Some folks have a fine eye for carving and some don't, for those that don't (read as me), then it's all about practice and patience

 

[ged]

...in the case of a spoon i'm looking for a spoon and sometimes it's really well hidden by all the tree wrapped around it.

Wasn't that Rodin?

I was going to say something about looking at the way the grain goes, but Stu said it so much better. I'm not a carver and Stu most definitely is.

 

[Survivalmike]

My advice is not to stop the work - go for it and maybe it will be a great spoon for YOU and that´s the most important thing!
It is a SKILL and you have to work by try and error - You´ll made it!

So keep on carving!
cheers
Mike

 

[shaggystu]

Wasn't that Rodin? .....

could well be, did he do much spoon carving?

cheers

stuart

 

[salad]

Good first time mate.
I remember my first I used totaly the wrong wood for a first attempt(beech).was very hard work. Birch is a good choice for wood that you made

 

[milius2]

Hi, best of luck with your spoon! My advice would be, get some 150-200 grid sanpaper, it's a lot of help to get smooth shapes. As I'm a begginer too, after making a spoon i leave it to be and then improve it after some time, when i know what i need it for. That usually includes getting the extra wood off, so it would be light and comfy to use. I use all of them, or I give them as presents and I tell you, even though they're mess, people love them, 'couse they're hand made by someone they know. So best of luck and keep them comming

 

[chris_irwin]

now updated with the finished product

 

[Echoes of the old ways]

That looks really good for a first try, I think I may take up a bit of carving again and try a few things too

 

[You Bleed Jam]

Looks Brilliant for your first attempt, i remember my dad showing me his first attempt, i think his was a little smoother, but other than that nice Job.