What wood NOT to use

[Bushcraftsman]

Hey guys,

In terms of carving spoons, bowls and other food utensils etc, is there a wood that should not be used? Also which woods are easier to carve than others...I have read this before but can't seem to remember which was which. I know some are particularly hard and tough going on the hands and others are like butter with a good sharp knife.

Cheers

Jordan

 

[Swallow]

Deleted. As did not read/interpret the OP properly. I am also interested in which woods are and are not "Food Safe".

 

[dwardo]

All woods will be much harder to carve when seasoned compared to green or near green.
Some woods like lime are relatively soft when seasoned. I use a lot of different types of woods for bows and i do a lot of the work whilst they are still green which saves your hands.

 

[ReamviThantos]

Yew is a bit on the hard side to work.

 

[Joel_m]

There is a good sticky on this board that discussed food safe woods (some time ago now). This is a good place to start!

http://http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52897

Edit to correct link

 

[Macaroon]

I'd advise strongly against Yew for anything to do with food, but I've used most others over the years without harm..................atb mac

 

[Colin.W]

+1 against yew. a lot of people have a bad reaction with yew I have to be carefull working it and carefully wash my hands after or I end up with a jippy tummy

 

[HillBill]

Unless you plan on eating the Yew itself, then utensils made from it are fine.

 

[Goatboy]

Unless you plan on eating the Yew itself, then utensils made from it are fine.

+1 on what HillBill says.

 

[Harvestman]

I'm with Hillbill too, but the food safety issue has been done to death, as posted in the link above.

Almost any wood can be carved. Oak, hornbeam, yew, box and holly are notoriously hard when seasoned. Also if you plan on any fine decoration then softwoods aren't much use as they don't hold fine grain. Willow can sometimes be difficult because of the grain.

If you are new to spoon carving, start with a piece of lime, or my personal favourite, a fresh piece of green ivy.