first spoon

[tommy the cat]

Well started my first spoon today with the mora and cheap axe.Must say not brill but really enjoyed it, found it really relaxing and just know the next one is gonna be better.:)
Haven't put a pict up yet as its a bit of an eye:lmao: sore.......cherry prob not the best wood to start greenwood carving but it was going in the bin so thought I would have a play.
D

[JonnyP]

Keep at it mate......Rock on Tommy......sorry, one of them moods tonight..
ps, cherry is a lovely wood to carve...

[tommy the cat]

I love cherry just never done much with it couldnt just bin it. Really improved my knife skills although I am wearing gloves at the mo as still got a gammy thumb......quick question John how long do I leave the spoon b4 sanding? I take it does need a bit of time b4 sanding?
Great stuff though quite addictive D

[JonnyP]

I love cherry just never done much with it couldnt just bin it. Really improved my knife skills although I am wearing gloves at the mo as still got a gammy thumb......quick question John how long do I leave the spoon b4 sanding? I take it does need a bit of time b4 sanding?
Great stuff though quite addictive D

Yes, you will need to let it dry thoroughly before sanding and oiling. Its best to let things dry slowly and naturally, to reduce the risk of the wood splitting as it dries. put in a brown paper bag and leave in a airy place out of direct heat. Will take as long as it takes to dry, anything from a few days to a few months for bigger stuff. You could risk it and put it in the airing cupboard, but it could warp or split...

[tommy the cat]

Thanks for that thought as much all good things come to those who wait! D

[JonnyP]

keep at it mate, its well worth it and spoon making uses good knife skills, so you learn two things at once

[Dougster]

Last week was one of my worst at work ever.

I went to the woods with some sharps and an hour later had a spoon and a smile.

It's worth it, isn't it?

[JonnyP]

Last week was one of my worst at work ever.

I went to the woods with some sharps and an hour later had a spoon and a smile.

It's worth it, isn't it?
Sure is mate.....
Tommy, start off by selecting your wood, if you want an eating spoon, select a piece about 2 inches in diameter by about a foot long, whittle it down to a very basic shape, ie thinner for the handle with the bowl bit being left as it is for now. Dont take the handle down too much to start with, leave it too big on purpose for now. Next, start on the bowl bit, make it flat on top, the full thickness of the wood you are using and start to round off the underside into a basic spoon shape. Now to get more accurate, get a pencil and draw on the wood a spoon, the size and shape you want it, then carve down to the marks, and gorge out the bowl....
Others will have their own ways of doing it, but that is how I do mine..
Hope that makes sence to you...

[firebreather]

Great feeling isnt it.
Get a piccy up i love seeing other peoples work.
No matter what the quality is.
My first spoon is the only one i have managed to finish without breaking it.
I have got to learn more accuracy.
Mors try stick here i come:rolleyes:

[godfather]

looking forward to seeing the spoon. I remember the joy my first spoon gave me.

:beerchug:

[jon r]

Keep up the good work!

We should all post pics of out first spoons.

jon

[JonnyP]

We should all post pics of out first spoons.

jon
No way.....:yikes:

[tommy the cat]

Thanks guys, John your tips make perfect sense.
I realised quite quickly that wood selection as well as thickness of material was an important part of the process. Shame I picked cherry and a piece that I should have cut into quarters before starting the spoon!!!( Its made it hard work)
Dunno about putting up a pic?!
essed around with the handle too much so now it is to thin....knowing when to stop I think is my problem! Thanks Dave

[JonnyP]

Try a piece of hazel Dave, its easy to work with and makes a pretty good spoon. Plenty around as well.....

[tommy the cat]

Be kind as its a work in progress!!!
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/9915/img0640hu5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
The bowl needs some work...thought that I would try to get more competent with carving bowls before buying a crook knife
http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/3471/img06392bd2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Handles gone too thin shouldn't mess I suppose:)
Still needs loads of work...didn't really plan to use it but thoughts were to make a stirrer rather something to eat from.:lmao: D

[jon r]

wow! dont be ashamed! thats pretty dam good for a first spoon! im sure some of us have more worse examples!:You_Rock_

[JonnyP]

Crikey Dave, you put yourself down, thats good work there, you should of seen my first attempt.
That wood looks quite dry, so you may be able to sand it as it is. If dust comes off, its dry enough, if it clogs the paper, leave it longer. Just make sure its fully dry before oiling. Any thought on oil your going to use...?

[tommy the cat]

Thanks for that. I think I enjoyed it far more than the results convey:)
My next one will be better and I think I will try for a user maybe a spork also gonna try a wood perhaps a little easier (lots of birch here)
Dave

[-Switch-]

Tommy, that looks very good. You've got a nice curve and shape on the underside of that bowl which shows you're quite competent with a knife.

Some sanding and a bit of oil should produce some very good results there.

Well done. :)

[tommy the cat]

John, it has been a bit of a pig to carve to be honest but as I am new to this obviously I have very little reference. My neighbour cut down the tree (well heavy pruned) only a couple of days ago when I peeled the bark of it was really wet, but I have found really dry spots in the wood.
I actually stored it over night in my water but which was recommended on here.As for oil what are your thoughts I have no idea?!? Dave

[-Switch-]

Dave/tommy (?),

Linseed oil is very good for protecting your wood and is often used on the wooden parts of hand tools, as I'm sure you know. Not sure if it can be used on eating utensils though??
Sesame oil is a good one for spoons and gives off a pleasant aroma too. Although some would strongly disagree the aroma could be described as 'pleasant' ;)
Be careful to choose an oil with a smell that you like though, as taste is very strongly linked to our sense of smell, and a certain amount of taste from the oil will sometimes impart onto your food, depending on what you're using the spoon for and especially after it's been recently oiled.

[tommy the cat]

Ta Switch dunno if I will actually be using this one so linseed oil will prob be ok.
Whats all this boiled /raw all about? Think I got ordinary linseed oil in the shed?
Just out of interest gota really nice garden fork handle I want to help protect? Would'nt linseed oil be sticky? Ta D

[-Switch-]

Not too sure on the differences between boiled and raw - some people swear by boiled, others say it doesn't really matter. Personally I use raw and it works fine.

As for your fork handle...
A good soak in linseed oil will give good protection and won't be sticky at all once it's dry. I recently took all the varnish ( :yuck: ) off an axe handle and soaked it in linseed oil instead. The reason I did this was to eliminate the stickiness of the varnish and give a good smooth finish that won't stick to the hand (and give blisters) when used. So far it's been very good.

Make sure the handle is good clean wood - no varnish/ paint/ stains etc. Sand it down a little to be sure if you like. Then get some kitchen paper/ kitchen towel (whatever you call it) and apply plenty of oil to the paper so it soaks right in. Next wrap the paper around the handle and repeat untill the whole handle is covered with oily paper. Then wrap the whole lot in cling film, nice and tight so you don't get any leakage.
Leave it out of the way for a few days to soak right in then unwrap and leave to dry.

This is the process I used for my axe handle and it worked very well. Just needs a light rub-down with oil every now and then to top it up. I shouldn't think your fork handle will be much different, only bigger, so may need longer to soak in/ dry off. :D



Oh, and remember to soak your old oily paper/rags with water before throwing away or take them into the garden and burn them off. Linseed oil soaked rags have been known to spontaneously combust, especially in warm dry environments like a rubbish bin :eek:

[tommy the cat]

Thanks switch will try that.... I've heard about linseed oil self combusting.....maybe a new way to light a fire!:lmao: D

[SOAR]

I use edible Flax seed oil which is linseed oil from a health food shop ,the boiled linseed oil is parafin based so its not realy for food safe items, you can actually buy food safe oil from Axminster or you can use chestnut oil which you can buy from sainsburys. But i,ve found edible flax seed oil to be fine, never had any problems.