Spoon Making Failures

M

milani74

Joined
Feb 15, 2009
Messages
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Ok. We live in a modern age. Surely making a spoon cant be that difficult; right?
I've tried 2 spoons and a bowl and the wood keeps spliting on me. Any recommendations? I am using oak for a spoon and the bowl and cedar I think for one spoon.
Here are my attempts.
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My helper:
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This is the bowl I was trying to make.
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And here's the final product. Notice, it has several deep cracks in it.
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More to come.
 
I've had problems with splitting too (although I carve my bowls and spoons - no fire) . I now split my log in half, create the rough shape of the bowl or kuksa and than place it in a paper bag in my house for a week or two. I'm almost done with my current kuksa attempt with no splitting (fingers crossed)....
 
I prefer to carve the bowl rather than burn it, you have alot more controll over it and there wont be any splitting (at least, not from the carving), I had several pretty bad looking spoons before I got anything good.
 
You are using wood that has a nice straight grain that splits well. Try bass wood,or buckeye,or sweet gum. They all have swirl type grains. That's why old timers used them instead.
Also,if you use wood that is even patially green,and use fire on it,it will split every time.
YMMV,
 
My spoons generally suck - but at least you had the courage to throw up your mistakes ;)
My problem is I usually start with too skinny a stick and end up carving a too narrow/deep spoon rather than a wider shallower one. I know the problem, and yet do it almost every time.

Oak seems like a really difficult wood to carve and work with. Why not something softer like popular, balsa or basswood?
 
I've never had the problem with splitting, but I agree with the others, try a different wood like Basswood or Poplar. Also, maybe less heat, it seems like a lot of coals on that wood and they may be creating too much stress because of the temperature differentials, especially with a wood like Oak. Also if the wood is not completely dry, splitting can/will occur. This is why bowyers treat the ends of bow staves before drying.

Another thing, use an inspirator (straw) to help direct the burn. You'll see what I mean when you try it.

Doc
 
Thanks for the input guys. I learn so much from these forums and you guys.
I'll try and look for some poplar and basswood and use a straw. I'll see if there is a metal tube laying around for that purpose.
I used oak for a few reasons; it's very abundant here in northern Alabama, and it's a hard wood which I thought that would tend to be stronger.
 
I've had good luck carving red cedar as long as there aren't any knots in it...then it's very hard!

I would suggest picking up a basic gouge or hook knife, and carving out the bowl. Gives more control and it's easier (at least in my opinion).

Those aren't bad first attempts though!
 
Another wood that works good for me is Sassafras. :thumbup:

I agree with carving out th bowls and spoons, but it looks like fun playing with fire.

have you tried green woods?
 
Danny-
Wow fantasic spoons. Thanks for the advise. How do you seal the ends of your staves?

Omniviking- We actually have quite a few sassafrass trees growing around here. I'll see about working with it.
 
siguy said:
I've had good luck carving red cedar as long as there aren't any knots in it...then it's very hard!

Air force survival school recommends cedar for spoon making...

I would suggest picking up a basic gouge or hook knife, and carving out the bowl. Gives more control and it's easier (at least in my opinion).

You can pick up a hoof trimming knife at Tractor Supply Store for about 5 bucks. You'll have to sharpen it ( and some folks reshape the handles) but it is a basic crooked knife and will work well for carving spoons. I started a thread ( titled "I knew it" ) a few weeks ago where I posted a link to an article which talks about hoof knives being just a type of crooked knife. In fact I have a hoof knife made by Frost Mora of Sweeden...

Those aren't bad first attempts though!
Click to expand...

David
 
I think your biggset isuue is the wood selection. Oak is very hard and has a lot of grain to it. You in AL, try and get your hands on some tupelo gum. Maple, sycamore, birch, or cottonwood, butternut can also be good choices.

I really think your chances will increase with one of these woods.
 
Dannyboy - those are some great looking spoons mate ! :thumbup:
What's that sweet scandi ? I love it !!!
 
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