First attempt at carving a spoon.

B

BeardedNemophilist

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Apr 10, 2014
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I think it looks pretty sad, but I'm super critical of myself. I've been working on it for a week off and on since I'm usually fairly busy with work and fatherhood when I'm not at work on the weekends. I chopped the section of branch off the limb I used with my 5 and did most of the primary carving with it, my 11, and my Mora Bushcraft Black but to actually get the spoon dug out I used the blade on my Leatherman Rebar.

Anyone have any tips to make this easier or is it really just a trial and error kind of process? I had fun doing it though for sure.

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I think its a fine first attempt my first 5 trys failed by either spilting or ending before finishing because I had to go look for a bandage.:o
 
It's split a little on the spoon, I sealed it up with superglue just need to sand it and it'll be ready for the girlfriend to start using. Definitely want to try again and see how it turns out.
 
It looks like a cricket coffin. However, having never carved a spoon you've got me smoked.
 
I think it looks darn good for a first try. My first attempt yielded a much shallower spoon so I'd say you did better than I.
 
One trick for the cracking is to keep it moist until you are done. If you dont carve it all in one day put it in a plastic sack with a bit of water. When you are all done boil the whole spoon for a long time. This super heats all the cells in the wood and causes the moisture to evaporate. I have never had one crack after I started using that method.
 
Mora sells a carving tool thats great for digging out the spoon, I forget what its called exactly. Also just don't let it try, I only leave mine out to dry when I'm done and thats after I oiled or waxed it. Then reapply the oil or wax and let it dry, etc. You want the wood to be nice and moist when your carving, at least in my experience.
 
I think eating with that would be pretty frustrating. :) Repetition. Each one will be better than the last.
 
Ka-bar sells coated spoons made out of pure 1095CV. You can sharpen the front and use it to carve another spoon.
 
Some tricks I use while whittling,
1: Go slow slow slow slow
2: A sharp blade is a safe blade
3: Use your thumb as a guide
4: Remove as little wood as possible
5: Have fun with it
6: Go slow
 
a small knife is a must. I carved my first spoon with a Muela Bison, sharp and small with a nice belly to carve the bowl with. I remember scorching the bowl a bit to aid in the removal of wood. For my 3rd spoon I didn't spend much time with it, but it certainly got the job done scooping up grilled veggies and taters at Ethan's Gathering :D

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