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116K views 166 replies 35 participants last post by  NorwoodOrigins 
#1 ·
Spoon Carving FREE_FOR_ALL (aka collaboration, forum and even class)

Glasses Vision care Eye glass accessory Twig Sunglasses


A while back I was asked if I would be willing to destruct… uh, I mean, INSTRUCT a class on Spoon carving. Since I have been told on numerous occasions that I 'have no class', I am going to, instead, call this a spoon carving 'collaboration'. A forum of sorts, where anyone that wishes to participate can ask and answer any question, offer or receive any advice and most of all, be a part of the creative process.

Obviously, the goal will be to CARVE A WOODEN SPOON. Simple enough, right? But I really am hoping it will become more than that. One of the most valuable aspects to this LumberJocks site, for me, is the exchange of information, ideas, technique and materials. I have gained so much from YOUR work and from YOUR contributions. I get inspired ideas from seeing your posted projects.

Spoon carving can be as simple or as complicated a project as you wish… or have time for. Basically, a spoon is a bowl with a handle attached. Pretty dang simple, eh? For me, THAT is what makes spoon carving so compelling. It can be functional or non-functional, it can be large or small, simple or complex, rustic or polished, proportionate or disproportionate, one variety of wood or many, only wood or wood combined with other material …..and the decorative possibilities are completely limitless!

Another really great thing about spoon carving is that ANYONE can do it, and with only minimal tools. If you can hold the tool…. You can make a spoon. We will be discussing tools and technique later on, but I am here to tell you right now that the most important tools you can have in your arsenal are pen and paper. And you already know how to use those…. right?

Why the pen and paper? Well, for the obvious reason of sketching out your designs, but if you are willing, we are going to take it a bit farther than that. Think of it like this, if you are going to carve a spoon, why not spend some time exploring and developing the idea. Why not use this opportunity to stretch your imagination and carve a spoon that is uniquely 'you', one that is saturated with your personality and style?!

Some people lay no claim to creativity. This one guy I knew growing up in the orphanage had absolutely no encouragement to be creative and really no exposure to anything relating to arts and crafts… at all. When he entered the public high school he took an art class one semester thinking it would be easy credit. By the end of the semester it was painfully obvious that he would win the award for having the least artistic potential of all his classmates. While the other students were making these clever ceramic figurines and sculptures all he could manage was this sad, brown, lumpy ash tray looking thing that a 4 year old would be ashamed of. Some people are born creative and others are not. It could be said, "He didn't have a creative bone in his body".

I feel sorry for the guy, don't you? There was another time where each student had to draw the person across the table from them. No one else in the room could have possibly made that beautiful girl look as ugly as he did. The art teacher made her rounds, nodding approval to each student as she passed while slightly humming a maternal, happy sound (she was pregnant), but when she saw his drawing, she stopped short. I'm not sure what that sound she made really was, but it sounded somewhat like a horrid gasp. And to this very day….. I still can't draw worth a hoot!

I tell this story in case there is anyone (else) that feels like they were on shore leave when THE Maker was dishing out creative juices. The discovery I made in the years since that embarrassment, is that like anything else, creativity can be cultivated. The most awesome tool for this is…. you guessed it….. pen and paper. And I bet we could list 1,000 creative variations on a spoon without breaking a sweat. Ideas for you to draw from at will and build upon.

So if a perceived lack of creativity isn't to discourage anyone, what about a lack of ability? Hmmm. That's a pretty good one to hide behind, or at least it seems. What is true is that we have no idea what our ability is until we actually DO something. Look back at the results of Jordan's Shoe Carving Challenge. I watched (safely from the sidelines) as some of the participants claimed they had no particular carving talent and then they come off with these AMAZING carvings.

I am going to make this confession: I have NEVER had a spoon turned out the way I wanted…. or planned. Not one spoon, or for that matter, not one project ever. That used to frustrate me, discourage me and literally drive me nuts! Worse, it stopped me from making stuff for a long time.

Eventually, I got around to accepting, which led to this discovery of sorts that I was 'out of control', meaning that there was another force at work. Now, the approach is something like, "I wonder what this is going to look like?" And if something doesn't go the way I wish, it is not my fault because I am just a spectator of sorts. I'm just watching the spoon take shape.

The actual carving of a wood spoon can take very little time. It is fairly small and manageable, the basic shape is simple and you probably have the tools already lying around the shop. If not, Xacto makes a little carving kit that has a handle and a couple of gouges. Once the initial shape is decided on, the blank can be cut out of the wood… and at that point you are almost done. <grin>

So anyway, I double dog dare YOU to join this creative exercise in SPOON CARVING. Not only will you come away with a cool spoon, and it will be COOL, you will gain from the creative collaboration and that can effect everything you make in the future.

The first week or two will be devoted to the creative process (gathering and sharing ideas, planning and designing), selecting and acquiring materials, discussing the tools necessary and basically just setting the stage.

When everyone is ready to begin actually cutting and carving, step by step instructions will be given for those that might be new to carving… or to woodworking in general. The main thing I would like to emphasize is… do not hesitate to ask any question, regardless of how basic. If I don't know the answer… I'll ask Jordan. Ha!

I imagine the actual carving process to only take a couple of weeks, even with most of us only able to snatch an hour or two evenings and weekends. The LumberJock's decorum requires a "confirmed finish date" and I was told that that each participant that completes their project by that date (which shall be determined) will receive a special LJ Certificate. That being said, you are encouraged to take as long as you like on your project, and I will offer up any assistance I can beyond any 'official' date.

So for any of you that 'ain't chickin', put 'SPOON' in the back of your head and open yourself to the ideas that are getting ready to pour in. It doesn't matter whether it's functional or dysfunctional…. as long as it is fun.

CAVEAT: (….there will be homework)
 

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#77 ·
Spoon Carving FREE_FOR_ALL (aka collaboration, forum and even class)

Glasses Vision care Eye glass accessory Twig Sunglasses


A while back I was asked if I would be willing to destruct… uh, I mean, INSTRUCT a class on Spoon carving. Since I have been told on numerous occasions that I 'have no class', I am going to, instead, call this a spoon carving 'collaboration'. A forum of sorts, where anyone that wishes to participate can ask and answer any question, offer or receive any advice and most of all, be a part of the creative process.

Obviously, the goal will be to CARVE A WOODEN SPOON. Simple enough, right? But I really am hoping it will become more than that. One of the most valuable aspects to this LumberJocks site, for me, is the exchange of information, ideas, technique and materials. I have gained so much from YOUR work and from YOUR contributions. I get inspired ideas from seeing your posted projects.

Spoon carving can be as simple or as complicated a project as you wish… or have time for. Basically, a spoon is a bowl with a handle attached. Pretty dang simple, eh? For me, THAT is what makes spoon carving so compelling. It can be functional or non-functional, it can be large or small, simple or complex, rustic or polished, proportionate or disproportionate, one variety of wood or many, only wood or wood combined with other material …..and the decorative possibilities are completely limitless!

Another really great thing about spoon carving is that ANYONE can do it, and with only minimal tools. If you can hold the tool…. You can make a spoon. We will be discussing tools and technique later on, but I am here to tell you right now that the most important tools you can have in your arsenal are pen and paper. And you already know how to use those…. right?

Why the pen and paper? Well, for the obvious reason of sketching out your designs, but if you are willing, we are going to take it a bit farther than that. Think of it like this, if you are going to carve a spoon, why not spend some time exploring and developing the idea. Why not use this opportunity to stretch your imagination and carve a spoon that is uniquely 'you', one that is saturated with your personality and style?!

Some people lay no claim to creativity. This one guy I knew growing up in the orphanage had absolutely no encouragement to be creative and really no exposure to anything relating to arts and crafts… at all. When he entered the public high school he took an art class one semester thinking it would be easy credit. By the end of the semester it was painfully obvious that he would win the award for having the least artistic potential of all his classmates. While the other students were making these clever ceramic figurines and sculptures all he could manage was this sad, brown, lumpy ash tray looking thing that a 4 year old would be ashamed of. Some people are born creative and others are not. It could be said, "He didn't have a creative bone in his body".

I feel sorry for the guy, don't you? There was another time where each student had to draw the person across the table from them. No one else in the room could have possibly made that beautiful girl look as ugly as he did. The art teacher made her rounds, nodding approval to each student as she passed while slightly humming a maternal, happy sound (she was pregnant), but when she saw his drawing, she stopped short. I'm not sure what that sound she made really was, but it sounded somewhat like a horrid gasp. And to this very day….. I still can't draw worth a hoot!

I tell this story in case there is anyone (else) that feels like they were on shore leave when THE Maker was dishing out creative juices. The discovery I made in the years since that embarrassment, is that like anything else, creativity can be cultivated. The most awesome tool for this is…. you guessed it….. pen and paper. And I bet we could list 1,000 creative variations on a spoon without breaking a sweat. Ideas for you to draw from at will and build upon.

So if a perceived lack of creativity isn't to discourage anyone, what about a lack of ability? Hmmm. That's a pretty good one to hide behind, or at least it seems. What is true is that we have no idea what our ability is until we actually DO something. Look back at the results of Jordan's Shoe Carving Challenge. I watched (safely from the sidelines) as some of the participants claimed they had no particular carving talent and then they come off with these AMAZING carvings.

I am going to make this confession: I have NEVER had a spoon turned out the way I wanted…. or planned. Not one spoon, or for that matter, not one project ever. That used to frustrate me, discourage me and literally drive me nuts! Worse, it stopped me from making stuff for a long time.

Eventually, I got around to accepting, which led to this discovery of sorts that I was 'out of control', meaning that there was another force at work. Now, the approach is something like, "I wonder what this is going to look like?" And if something doesn't go the way I wish, it is not my fault because I am just a spectator of sorts. I'm just watching the spoon take shape.

The actual carving of a wood spoon can take very little time. It is fairly small and manageable, the basic shape is simple and you probably have the tools already lying around the shop. If not, Xacto makes a little carving kit that has a handle and a couple of gouges. Once the initial shape is decided on, the blank can be cut out of the wood… and at that point you are almost done. <grin>

So anyway, I double dog dare YOU to join this creative exercise in SPOON CARVING. Not only will you come away with a cool spoon, and it will be COOL, you will gain from the creative collaboration and that can effect everything you make in the future.

The first week or two will be devoted to the creative process (gathering and sharing ideas, planning and designing), selecting and acquiring materials, discussing the tools necessary and basically just setting the stage.

When everyone is ready to begin actually cutting and carving, step by step instructions will be given for those that might be new to carving… or to woodworking in general. The main thing I would like to emphasize is… do not hesitate to ask any question, regardless of how basic. If I don't know the answer… I'll ask Jordan. Ha!

I imagine the actual carving process to only take a couple of weeks, even with most of us only able to snatch an hour or two evenings and weekends. The LumberJock's decorum requires a "confirmed finish date" and I was told that that each participant that completes their project by that date (which shall be determined) will receive a special LJ Certificate. That being said, you are encouraged to take as long as you like on your project, and I will offer up any assistance I can beyond any 'official' date.

So for any of you that 'ain't chickin', put 'SPOON' in the back of your head and open yourself to the ideas that are getting ready to pour in. It doesn't matter whether it's functional or dysfunctional…. as long as it is fun.

CAVEAT: (….there will be homework)
Look at this! Just look at this! HA! Excellent work! Did you ever create the 'fish spoon'? I went through your projects an didn't see it. What I DID see was an incredible display of a talented imagination and talent!
Unbelievable!
 

Attachments

#78 ·
Spoon Carving FREE_FOR_ALL (aka collaboration, forum and even class)

Glasses Vision care Eye glass accessory Twig Sunglasses


A while back I was asked if I would be willing to destruct… uh, I mean, INSTRUCT a class on Spoon carving. Since I have been told on numerous occasions that I 'have no class', I am going to, instead, call this a spoon carving 'collaboration'. A forum of sorts, where anyone that wishes to participate can ask and answer any question, offer or receive any advice and most of all, be a part of the creative process.

Obviously, the goal will be to CARVE A WOODEN SPOON. Simple enough, right? But I really am hoping it will become more than that. One of the most valuable aspects to this LumberJocks site, for me, is the exchange of information, ideas, technique and materials. I have gained so much from YOUR work and from YOUR contributions. I get inspired ideas from seeing your posted projects.

Spoon carving can be as simple or as complicated a project as you wish… or have time for. Basically, a spoon is a bowl with a handle attached. Pretty dang simple, eh? For me, THAT is what makes spoon carving so compelling. It can be functional or non-functional, it can be large or small, simple or complex, rustic or polished, proportionate or disproportionate, one variety of wood or many, only wood or wood combined with other material …..and the decorative possibilities are completely limitless!

Another really great thing about spoon carving is that ANYONE can do it, and with only minimal tools. If you can hold the tool…. You can make a spoon. We will be discussing tools and technique later on, but I am here to tell you right now that the most important tools you can have in your arsenal are pen and paper. And you already know how to use those…. right?

Why the pen and paper? Well, for the obvious reason of sketching out your designs, but if you are willing, we are going to take it a bit farther than that. Think of it like this, if you are going to carve a spoon, why not spend some time exploring and developing the idea. Why not use this opportunity to stretch your imagination and carve a spoon that is uniquely 'you', one that is saturated with your personality and style?!

Some people lay no claim to creativity. This one guy I knew growing up in the orphanage had absolutely no encouragement to be creative and really no exposure to anything relating to arts and crafts… at all. When he entered the public high school he took an art class one semester thinking it would be easy credit. By the end of the semester it was painfully obvious that he would win the award for having the least artistic potential of all his classmates. While the other students were making these clever ceramic figurines and sculptures all he could manage was this sad, brown, lumpy ash tray looking thing that a 4 year old would be ashamed of. Some people are born creative and others are not. It could be said, "He didn't have a creative bone in his body".

I feel sorry for the guy, don't you? There was another time where each student had to draw the person across the table from them. No one else in the room could have possibly made that beautiful girl look as ugly as he did. The art teacher made her rounds, nodding approval to each student as she passed while slightly humming a maternal, happy sound (she was pregnant), but when she saw his drawing, she stopped short. I'm not sure what that sound she made really was, but it sounded somewhat like a horrid gasp. And to this very day….. I still can't draw worth a hoot!

I tell this story in case there is anyone (else) that feels like they were on shore leave when THE Maker was dishing out creative juices. The discovery I made in the years since that embarrassment, is that like anything else, creativity can be cultivated. The most awesome tool for this is…. you guessed it….. pen and paper. And I bet we could list 1,000 creative variations on a spoon without breaking a sweat. Ideas for you to draw from at will and build upon.

So if a perceived lack of creativity isn't to discourage anyone, what about a lack of ability? Hmmm. That's a pretty good one to hide behind, or at least it seems. What is true is that we have no idea what our ability is until we actually DO something. Look back at the results of Jordan's Shoe Carving Challenge. I watched (safely from the sidelines) as some of the participants claimed they had no particular carving talent and then they come off with these AMAZING carvings.

I am going to make this confession: I have NEVER had a spoon turned out the way I wanted…. or planned. Not one spoon, or for that matter, not one project ever. That used to frustrate me, discourage me and literally drive me nuts! Worse, it stopped me from making stuff for a long time.

Eventually, I got around to accepting, which led to this discovery of sorts that I was 'out of control', meaning that there was another force at work. Now, the approach is something like, "I wonder what this is going to look like?" And if something doesn't go the way I wish, it is not my fault because I am just a spectator of sorts. I'm just watching the spoon take shape.

The actual carving of a wood spoon can take very little time. It is fairly small and manageable, the basic shape is simple and you probably have the tools already lying around the shop. If not, Xacto makes a little carving kit that has a handle and a couple of gouges. Once the initial shape is decided on, the blank can be cut out of the wood… and at that point you are almost done. <grin>

So anyway, I double dog dare YOU to join this creative exercise in SPOON CARVING. Not only will you come away with a cool spoon, and it will be COOL, you will gain from the creative collaboration and that can effect everything you make in the future.

The first week or two will be devoted to the creative process (gathering and sharing ideas, planning and designing), selecting and acquiring materials, discussing the tools necessary and basically just setting the stage.

When everyone is ready to begin actually cutting and carving, step by step instructions will be given for those that might be new to carving… or to woodworking in general. The main thing I would like to emphasize is… do not hesitate to ask any question, regardless of how basic. If I don't know the answer… I'll ask Jordan. Ha!

I imagine the actual carving process to only take a couple of weeks, even with most of us only able to snatch an hour or two evenings and weekends. The LumberJock's decorum requires a "confirmed finish date" and I was told that that each participant that completes their project by that date (which shall be determined) will receive a special LJ Certificate. That being said, you are encouraged to take as long as you like on your project, and I will offer up any assistance I can beyond any 'official' date.

So for any of you that 'ain't chickin', put 'SPOON' in the back of your head and open yourself to the ideas that are getting ready to pour in. It doesn't matter whether it's functional or dysfunctional…. as long as it is fun.

CAVEAT: (….there will be homework)
NaFianna ~ That is great…. welcome aboard. No pressure at all but if you haven't carved a spoon before, I think you will have some fun. It is a pretty basic project where the time commitment is very low. And I gotta ask… what is the meaning/significance of your 'signature'?

Wayne ~ I checked out the youtube video and it is definitely worthwhile. Sure keeps his tools sharp! And I had seen Bertie's spoon videos before. He does some very unique and cool work. In the second video he is sporting a bandaid on his finger so let all spoon carvers beware.

So Wiggy ~ Are you joining in… or what? <grin> I haven't carved a fish spoon just yet… but one of these days.

MsD ~ Have you settled on a theme just yet? Sounds like you are still busy bouncing ideas around. Can't wait to see what evolves.
 

Attachments

#79 ·
Spoon Carving FREE_FOR_ALL (aka collaboration, forum and even class)

Glasses Vision care Eye glass accessory Twig Sunglasses


A while back I was asked if I would be willing to destruct… uh, I mean, INSTRUCT a class on Spoon carving. Since I have been told on numerous occasions that I 'have no class', I am going to, instead, call this a spoon carving 'collaboration'. A forum of sorts, where anyone that wishes to participate can ask and answer any question, offer or receive any advice and most of all, be a part of the creative process.

Obviously, the goal will be to CARVE A WOODEN SPOON. Simple enough, right? But I really am hoping it will become more than that. One of the most valuable aspects to this LumberJocks site, for me, is the exchange of information, ideas, technique and materials. I have gained so much from YOUR work and from YOUR contributions. I get inspired ideas from seeing your posted projects.

Spoon carving can be as simple or as complicated a project as you wish… or have time for. Basically, a spoon is a bowl with a handle attached. Pretty dang simple, eh? For me, THAT is what makes spoon carving so compelling. It can be functional or non-functional, it can be large or small, simple or complex, rustic or polished, proportionate or disproportionate, one variety of wood or many, only wood or wood combined with other material …..and the decorative possibilities are completely limitless!

Another really great thing about spoon carving is that ANYONE can do it, and with only minimal tools. If you can hold the tool…. You can make a spoon. We will be discussing tools and technique later on, but I am here to tell you right now that the most important tools you can have in your arsenal are pen and paper. And you already know how to use those…. right?

Why the pen and paper? Well, for the obvious reason of sketching out your designs, but if you are willing, we are going to take it a bit farther than that. Think of it like this, if you are going to carve a spoon, why not spend some time exploring and developing the idea. Why not use this opportunity to stretch your imagination and carve a spoon that is uniquely 'you', one that is saturated with your personality and style?!

Some people lay no claim to creativity. This one guy I knew growing up in the orphanage had absolutely no encouragement to be creative and really no exposure to anything relating to arts and crafts… at all. When he entered the public high school he took an art class one semester thinking it would be easy credit. By the end of the semester it was painfully obvious that he would win the award for having the least artistic potential of all his classmates. While the other students were making these clever ceramic figurines and sculptures all he could manage was this sad, brown, lumpy ash tray looking thing that a 4 year old would be ashamed of. Some people are born creative and others are not. It could be said, "He didn't have a creative bone in his body".

I feel sorry for the guy, don't you? There was another time where each student had to draw the person across the table from them. No one else in the room could have possibly made that beautiful girl look as ugly as he did. The art teacher made her rounds, nodding approval to each student as she passed while slightly humming a maternal, happy sound (she was pregnant), but when she saw his drawing, she stopped short. I'm not sure what that sound she made really was, but it sounded somewhat like a horrid gasp. And to this very day….. I still can't draw worth a hoot!

I tell this story in case there is anyone (else) that feels like they were on shore leave when THE Maker was dishing out creative juices. The discovery I made in the years since that embarrassment, is that like anything else, creativity can be cultivated. The most awesome tool for this is…. you guessed it….. pen and paper. And I bet we could list 1,000 creative variations on a spoon without breaking a sweat. Ideas for you to draw from at will and build upon.

So if a perceived lack of creativity isn't to discourage anyone, what about a lack of ability? Hmmm. That's a pretty good one to hide behind, or at least it seems. What is true is that we have no idea what our ability is until we actually DO something. Look back at the results of Jordan's Shoe Carving Challenge. I watched (safely from the sidelines) as some of the participants claimed they had no particular carving talent and then they come off with these AMAZING carvings.

I am going to make this confession: I have NEVER had a spoon turned out the way I wanted…. or planned. Not one spoon, or for that matter, not one project ever. That used to frustrate me, discourage me and literally drive me nuts! Worse, it stopped me from making stuff for a long time.

Eventually, I got around to accepting, which led to this discovery of sorts that I was 'out of control', meaning that there was another force at work. Now, the approach is something like, "I wonder what this is going to look like?" And if something doesn't go the way I wish, it is not my fault because I am just a spectator of sorts. I'm just watching the spoon take shape.

The actual carving of a wood spoon can take very little time. It is fairly small and manageable, the basic shape is simple and you probably have the tools already lying around the shop. If not, Xacto makes a little carving kit that has a handle and a couple of gouges. Once the initial shape is decided on, the blank can be cut out of the wood… and at that point you are almost done. <grin>

So anyway, I double dog dare YOU to join this creative exercise in SPOON CARVING. Not only will you come away with a cool spoon, and it will be COOL, you will gain from the creative collaboration and that can effect everything you make in the future.

The first week or two will be devoted to the creative process (gathering and sharing ideas, planning and designing), selecting and acquiring materials, discussing the tools necessary and basically just setting the stage.

When everyone is ready to begin actually cutting and carving, step by step instructions will be given for those that might be new to carving… or to woodworking in general. The main thing I would like to emphasize is… do not hesitate to ask any question, regardless of how basic. If I don't know the answer… I'll ask Jordan. Ha!

I imagine the actual carving process to only take a couple of weeks, even with most of us only able to snatch an hour or two evenings and weekends. The LumberJock's decorum requires a "confirmed finish date" and I was told that that each participant that completes their project by that date (which shall be determined) will receive a special LJ Certificate. That being said, you are encouraged to take as long as you like on your project, and I will offer up any assistance I can beyond any 'official' date.

So for any of you that 'ain't chickin', put 'SPOON' in the back of your head and open yourself to the ideas that are getting ready to pour in. It doesn't matter whether it's functional or dysfunctional…. as long as it is fun.

CAVEAT: (….there will be homework)
oh yes, I know what I'm going to try to make … plan A, anyway :D
 

Attachments

#80 ·
Spoon Carving FREE_FOR_ALL (aka collaboration, forum and even class)

Glasses Vision care Eye glass accessory Twig Sunglasses


A while back I was asked if I would be willing to destruct… uh, I mean, INSTRUCT a class on Spoon carving. Since I have been told on numerous occasions that I 'have no class', I am going to, instead, call this a spoon carving 'collaboration'. A forum of sorts, where anyone that wishes to participate can ask and answer any question, offer or receive any advice and most of all, be a part of the creative process.

Obviously, the goal will be to CARVE A WOODEN SPOON. Simple enough, right? But I really am hoping it will become more than that. One of the most valuable aspects to this LumberJocks site, for me, is the exchange of information, ideas, technique and materials. I have gained so much from YOUR work and from YOUR contributions. I get inspired ideas from seeing your posted projects.

Spoon carving can be as simple or as complicated a project as you wish… or have time for. Basically, a spoon is a bowl with a handle attached. Pretty dang simple, eh? For me, THAT is what makes spoon carving so compelling. It can be functional or non-functional, it can be large or small, simple or complex, rustic or polished, proportionate or disproportionate, one variety of wood or many, only wood or wood combined with other material …..and the decorative possibilities are completely limitless!

Another really great thing about spoon carving is that ANYONE can do it, and with only minimal tools. If you can hold the tool…. You can make a spoon. We will be discussing tools and technique later on, but I am here to tell you right now that the most important tools you can have in your arsenal are pen and paper. And you already know how to use those…. right?

Why the pen and paper? Well, for the obvious reason of sketching out your designs, but if you are willing, we are going to take it a bit farther than that. Think of it like this, if you are going to carve a spoon, why not spend some time exploring and developing the idea. Why not use this opportunity to stretch your imagination and carve a spoon that is uniquely 'you', one that is saturated with your personality and style?!

Some people lay no claim to creativity. This one guy I knew growing up in the orphanage had absolutely no encouragement to be creative and really no exposure to anything relating to arts and crafts… at all. When he entered the public high school he took an art class one semester thinking it would be easy credit. By the end of the semester it was painfully obvious that he would win the award for having the least artistic potential of all his classmates. While the other students were making these clever ceramic figurines and sculptures all he could manage was this sad, brown, lumpy ash tray looking thing that a 4 year old would be ashamed of. Some people are born creative and others are not. It could be said, "He didn't have a creative bone in his body".

I feel sorry for the guy, don't you? There was another time where each student had to draw the person across the table from them. No one else in the room could have possibly made that beautiful girl look as ugly as he did. The art teacher made her rounds, nodding approval to each student as she passed while slightly humming a maternal, happy sound (she was pregnant), but when she saw his drawing, she stopped short. I'm not sure what that sound she made really was, but it sounded somewhat like a horrid gasp. And to this very day….. I still can't draw worth a hoot!

I tell this story in case there is anyone (else) that feels like they were on shore leave when THE Maker was dishing out creative juices. The discovery I made in the years since that embarrassment, is that like anything else, creativity can be cultivated. The most awesome tool for this is…. you guessed it….. pen and paper. And I bet we could list 1,000 creative variations on a spoon without breaking a sweat. Ideas for you to draw from at will and build upon.

So if a perceived lack of creativity isn't to discourage anyone, what about a lack of ability? Hmmm. That's a pretty good one to hide behind, or at least it seems. What is true is that we have no idea what our ability is until we actually DO something. Look back at the results of Jordan's Shoe Carving Challenge. I watched (safely from the sidelines) as some of the participants claimed they had no particular carving talent and then they come off with these AMAZING carvings.

I am going to make this confession: I have NEVER had a spoon turned out the way I wanted…. or planned. Not one spoon, or for that matter, not one project ever. That used to frustrate me, discourage me and literally drive me nuts! Worse, it stopped me from making stuff for a long time.

Eventually, I got around to accepting, which led to this discovery of sorts that I was 'out of control', meaning that there was another force at work. Now, the approach is something like, "I wonder what this is going to look like?" And if something doesn't go the way I wish, it is not my fault because I am just a spectator of sorts. I'm just watching the spoon take shape.

The actual carving of a wood spoon can take very little time. It is fairly small and manageable, the basic shape is simple and you probably have the tools already lying around the shop. If not, Xacto makes a little carving kit that has a handle and a couple of gouges. Once the initial shape is decided on, the blank can be cut out of the wood… and at that point you are almost done. <grin>

So anyway, I double dog dare YOU to join this creative exercise in SPOON CARVING. Not only will you come away with a cool spoon, and it will be COOL, you will gain from the creative collaboration and that can effect everything you make in the future.

The first week or two will be devoted to the creative process (gathering and sharing ideas, planning and designing), selecting and acquiring materials, discussing the tools necessary and basically just setting the stage.

When everyone is ready to begin actually cutting and carving, step by step instructions will be given for those that might be new to carving… or to woodworking in general. The main thing I would like to emphasize is… do not hesitate to ask any question, regardless of how basic. If I don't know the answer… I'll ask Jordan. Ha!

I imagine the actual carving process to only take a couple of weeks, even with most of us only able to snatch an hour or two evenings and weekends. The LumberJock's decorum requires a "confirmed finish date" and I was told that that each participant that completes their project by that date (which shall be determined) will receive a special LJ Certificate. That being said, you are encouraged to take as long as you like on your project, and I will offer up any assistance I can beyond any 'official' date.

So for any of you that 'ain't chickin', put 'SPOON' in the back of your head and open yourself to the ideas that are getting ready to pour in. It doesn't matter whether it's functional or dysfunctional…. as long as it is fun.

CAVEAT: (….there will be homework)
and… as I said, I am high on creativity-- follow through, not so much
I'm having fun with the idea part
 

Attachments

#81 ·
Spoon Carving FREE_FOR_ALL (aka collaboration, forum and even class)

Glasses Vision care Eye glass accessory Twig Sunglasses


A while back I was asked if I would be willing to destruct… uh, I mean, INSTRUCT a class on Spoon carving. Since I have been told on numerous occasions that I 'have no class', I am going to, instead, call this a spoon carving 'collaboration'. A forum of sorts, where anyone that wishes to participate can ask and answer any question, offer or receive any advice and most of all, be a part of the creative process.

Obviously, the goal will be to CARVE A WOODEN SPOON. Simple enough, right? But I really am hoping it will become more than that. One of the most valuable aspects to this LumberJocks site, for me, is the exchange of information, ideas, technique and materials. I have gained so much from YOUR work and from YOUR contributions. I get inspired ideas from seeing your posted projects.

Spoon carving can be as simple or as complicated a project as you wish… or have time for. Basically, a spoon is a bowl with a handle attached. Pretty dang simple, eh? For me, THAT is what makes spoon carving so compelling. It can be functional or non-functional, it can be large or small, simple or complex, rustic or polished, proportionate or disproportionate, one variety of wood or many, only wood or wood combined with other material …..and the decorative possibilities are completely limitless!

Another really great thing about spoon carving is that ANYONE can do it, and with only minimal tools. If you can hold the tool…. You can make a spoon. We will be discussing tools and technique later on, but I am here to tell you right now that the most important tools you can have in your arsenal are pen and paper. And you already know how to use those…. right?

Why the pen and paper? Well, for the obvious reason of sketching out your designs, but if you are willing, we are going to take it a bit farther than that. Think of it like this, if you are going to carve a spoon, why not spend some time exploring and developing the idea. Why not use this opportunity to stretch your imagination and carve a spoon that is uniquely 'you', one that is saturated with your personality and style?!

Some people lay no claim to creativity. This one guy I knew growing up in the orphanage had absolutely no encouragement to be creative and really no exposure to anything relating to arts and crafts… at all. When he entered the public high school he took an art class one semester thinking it would be easy credit. By the end of the semester it was painfully obvious that he would win the award for having the least artistic potential of all his classmates. While the other students were making these clever ceramic figurines and sculptures all he could manage was this sad, brown, lumpy ash tray looking thing that a 4 year old would be ashamed of. Some people are born creative and others are not. It could be said, "He didn't have a creative bone in his body".

I feel sorry for the guy, don't you? There was another time where each student had to draw the person across the table from them. No one else in the room could have possibly made that beautiful girl look as ugly as he did. The art teacher made her rounds, nodding approval to each student as she passed while slightly humming a maternal, happy sound (she was pregnant), but when she saw his drawing, she stopped short. I'm not sure what that sound she made really was, but it sounded somewhat like a horrid gasp. And to this very day….. I still can't draw worth a hoot!

I tell this story in case there is anyone (else) that feels like they were on shore leave when THE Maker was dishing out creative juices. The discovery I made in the years since that embarrassment, is that like anything else, creativity can be cultivated. The most awesome tool for this is…. you guessed it….. pen and paper. And I bet we could list 1,000 creative variations on a spoon without breaking a sweat. Ideas for you to draw from at will and build upon.

So if a perceived lack of creativity isn't to discourage anyone, what about a lack of ability? Hmmm. That's a pretty good one to hide behind, or at least it seems. What is true is that we have no idea what our ability is until we actually DO something. Look back at the results of Jordan's Shoe Carving Challenge. I watched (safely from the sidelines) as some of the participants claimed they had no particular carving talent and then they come off with these AMAZING carvings.

I am going to make this confession: I have NEVER had a spoon turned out the way I wanted…. or planned. Not one spoon, or for that matter, not one project ever. That used to frustrate me, discourage me and literally drive me nuts! Worse, it stopped me from making stuff for a long time.

Eventually, I got around to accepting, which led to this discovery of sorts that I was 'out of control', meaning that there was another force at work. Now, the approach is something like, "I wonder what this is going to look like?" And if something doesn't go the way I wish, it is not my fault because I am just a spectator of sorts. I'm just watching the spoon take shape.

The actual carving of a wood spoon can take very little time. It is fairly small and manageable, the basic shape is simple and you probably have the tools already lying around the shop. If not, Xacto makes a little carving kit that has a handle and a couple of gouges. Once the initial shape is decided on, the blank can be cut out of the wood… and at that point you are almost done. <grin>

So anyway, I double dog dare YOU to join this creative exercise in SPOON CARVING. Not only will you come away with a cool spoon, and it will be COOL, you will gain from the creative collaboration and that can effect everything you make in the future.

The first week or two will be devoted to the creative process (gathering and sharing ideas, planning and designing), selecting and acquiring materials, discussing the tools necessary and basically just setting the stage.

When everyone is ready to begin actually cutting and carving, step by step instructions will be given for those that might be new to carving… or to woodworking in general. The main thing I would like to emphasize is… do not hesitate to ask any question, regardless of how basic. If I don't know the answer… I'll ask Jordan. Ha!

I imagine the actual carving process to only take a couple of weeks, even with most of us only able to snatch an hour or two evenings and weekends. The LumberJock's decorum requires a "confirmed finish date" and I was told that that each participant that completes their project by that date (which shall be determined) will receive a special LJ Certificate. That being said, you are encouraged to take as long as you like on your project, and I will offer up any assistance I can beyond any 'official' date.

So for any of you that 'ain't chickin', put 'SPOON' in the back of your head and open yourself to the ideas that are getting ready to pour in. It doesn't matter whether it's functional or dysfunctional…. as long as it is fun.

CAVEAT: (….there will be homework)
I really need lessons (or help). My first two "Spoons" turned out looking like spatulas.

PLEASE sign me up!
 

Attachments

#82 ·
Spoon Carving FREE_FOR_ALL (aka collaboration, forum and even class)

Glasses Vision care Eye glass accessory Twig Sunglasses


A while back I was asked if I would be willing to destruct… uh, I mean, INSTRUCT a class on Spoon carving. Since I have been told on numerous occasions that I 'have no class', I am going to, instead, call this a spoon carving 'collaboration'. A forum of sorts, where anyone that wishes to participate can ask and answer any question, offer or receive any advice and most of all, be a part of the creative process.

Obviously, the goal will be to CARVE A WOODEN SPOON. Simple enough, right? But I really am hoping it will become more than that. One of the most valuable aspects to this LumberJocks site, for me, is the exchange of information, ideas, technique and materials. I have gained so much from YOUR work and from YOUR contributions. I get inspired ideas from seeing your posted projects.

Spoon carving can be as simple or as complicated a project as you wish… or have time for. Basically, a spoon is a bowl with a handle attached. Pretty dang simple, eh? For me, THAT is what makes spoon carving so compelling. It can be functional or non-functional, it can be large or small, simple or complex, rustic or polished, proportionate or disproportionate, one variety of wood or many, only wood or wood combined with other material …..and the decorative possibilities are completely limitless!

Another really great thing about spoon carving is that ANYONE can do it, and with only minimal tools. If you can hold the tool…. You can make a spoon. We will be discussing tools and technique later on, but I am here to tell you right now that the most important tools you can have in your arsenal are pen and paper. And you already know how to use those…. right?

Why the pen and paper? Well, for the obvious reason of sketching out your designs, but if you are willing, we are going to take it a bit farther than that. Think of it like this, if you are going to carve a spoon, why not spend some time exploring and developing the idea. Why not use this opportunity to stretch your imagination and carve a spoon that is uniquely 'you', one that is saturated with your personality and style?!

Some people lay no claim to creativity. This one guy I knew growing up in the orphanage had absolutely no encouragement to be creative and really no exposure to anything relating to arts and crafts… at all. When he entered the public high school he took an art class one semester thinking it would be easy credit. By the end of the semester it was painfully obvious that he would win the award for having the least artistic potential of all his classmates. While the other students were making these clever ceramic figurines and sculptures all he could manage was this sad, brown, lumpy ash tray looking thing that a 4 year old would be ashamed of. Some people are born creative and others are not. It could be said, "He didn't have a creative bone in his body".

I feel sorry for the guy, don't you? There was another time where each student had to draw the person across the table from them. No one else in the room could have possibly made that beautiful girl look as ugly as he did. The art teacher made her rounds, nodding approval to each student as she passed while slightly humming a maternal, happy sound (she was pregnant), but when she saw his drawing, she stopped short. I'm not sure what that sound she made really was, but it sounded somewhat like a horrid gasp. And to this very day….. I still can't draw worth a hoot!

I tell this story in case there is anyone (else) that feels like they were on shore leave when THE Maker was dishing out creative juices. The discovery I made in the years since that embarrassment, is that like anything else, creativity can be cultivated. The most awesome tool for this is…. you guessed it….. pen and paper. And I bet we could list 1,000 creative variations on a spoon without breaking a sweat. Ideas for you to draw from at will and build upon.

So if a perceived lack of creativity isn't to discourage anyone, what about a lack of ability? Hmmm. That's a pretty good one to hide behind, or at least it seems. What is true is that we have no idea what our ability is until we actually DO something. Look back at the results of Jordan's Shoe Carving Challenge. I watched (safely from the sidelines) as some of the participants claimed they had no particular carving talent and then they come off with these AMAZING carvings.

I am going to make this confession: I have NEVER had a spoon turned out the way I wanted…. or planned. Not one spoon, or for that matter, not one project ever. That used to frustrate me, discourage me and literally drive me nuts! Worse, it stopped me from making stuff for a long time.

Eventually, I got around to accepting, which led to this discovery of sorts that I was 'out of control', meaning that there was another force at work. Now, the approach is something like, "I wonder what this is going to look like?" And if something doesn't go the way I wish, it is not my fault because I am just a spectator of sorts. I'm just watching the spoon take shape.

The actual carving of a wood spoon can take very little time. It is fairly small and manageable, the basic shape is simple and you probably have the tools already lying around the shop. If not, Xacto makes a little carving kit that has a handle and a couple of gouges. Once the initial shape is decided on, the blank can be cut out of the wood… and at that point you are almost done. <grin>

So anyway, I double dog dare YOU to join this creative exercise in SPOON CARVING. Not only will you come away with a cool spoon, and it will be COOL, you will gain from the creative collaboration and that can effect everything you make in the future.

The first week or two will be devoted to the creative process (gathering and sharing ideas, planning and designing), selecting and acquiring materials, discussing the tools necessary and basically just setting the stage.

When everyone is ready to begin actually cutting and carving, step by step instructions will be given for those that might be new to carving… or to woodworking in general. The main thing I would like to emphasize is… do not hesitate to ask any question, regardless of how basic. If I don't know the answer… I'll ask Jordan. Ha!

I imagine the actual carving process to only take a couple of weeks, even with most of us only able to snatch an hour or two evenings and weekends. The LumberJock's decorum requires a "confirmed finish date" and I was told that that each participant that completes their project by that date (which shall be determined) will receive a special LJ Certificate. That being said, you are encouraged to take as long as you like on your project, and I will offer up any assistance I can beyond any 'official' date.

So for any of you that 'ain't chickin', put 'SPOON' in the back of your head and open yourself to the ideas that are getting ready to pour in. It doesn't matter whether it's functional or dysfunctional…. as long as it is fun.

CAVEAT: (….there will be homework)
Recut ~ Me, I would have told folks that I meant to make a spatula. Glad that you are going to give it another go…. spoons are fun projects and don't require much wood. I saw on your other post that you are considering Crepe Myrtle. I think that will make a really great spoon. I recently carved on a piece of wax myrtle (maybe related?) and it was very hard.. but it was salvaged from an old growth tree that had been cut quite some time before. Pretty wood though.
 

Attachments

#83 ·
Regarding wood slection

I had posted the following in the first part of the 'blog' (comment section) and someone was kind enough to suggest that it might be easier to find posted as a new segment/addition. Now that I have been educated, I will post the upcoming tools discussion as Part 3 and the step-by-step as future segments.

Bicycle part Font Musical instrument accessory Eyewear Service


A little bit about wood selection:

For NON-functional spoons the choice in wood is completely open, although there ARE considerations. If you plan to carve in great detail, then you will want to select a wood that is tight grained and somewhat easy to carve. Straight grained wood is generally easier to carve than wood from burls, crotches and the such.

The level of your carving ability/experience might also play a role in choosing a suitable wood. If you are just starting out with wood carving then I would suggest that you choose a reasonably easy wood to carve. Cherry, basswood, mahogany, sycamore, ash, beech, boxwood, horse chestnut (I find this carves easily and with good detail), witch hazel (very tight grained and finishes beautifully), black locust burl (believe it or not) carves like butter to me and the finish is pure silk.

Some of the fruit wood is nice to carve… others seem to be more cantankerous. As mentioned, cherry is good, plum finishes nice without too much effort and pear wood is a pleasure to work with. Then you get to the citrus woods and I find them to be very hard and somewhat troublesome. Grape is pretty tough as well.

If your carving skills are up to it, and you have a notion to try something new…. I highly recommend trying a wood that might not generally be thought of for wood projects due to size and availability. One of the really great things about spoon carving is that the size is small and lends itself to using those 'rare' and unusual woods. With the size being small, even the purchase of exotic wood is usually not prohibitive. The spoon size allows you to walk out back of the house and prune the lilac, or smoke tree, or redbud, or taxus, or viburnum, etc. Really almost any tree or shrub can be used. There have been spoons carved from Poison Ivy (non-functional). I just find it very rewarding to cut into an unfamiliar wood and discover a unique grain or color. Very worthwhile!

Of course, a thing to remember is how intricate your planned carving is going to be, but with a 'new' wood you might just be compelled by the wood to take a new direction midstream. And that is highly recommended.

For FUNctional spoons the choices are still quite numerous but are somewhat dependent on the intended function. A coffee scoop can obviously be more open grained and be less straight grained than what would be practical for a stirring spoon, a spoon that will be immersed in hot liquids. The stirring spoon will require a flatter spoon bowl, a longer handle and a stronger neck than the coffee scoop. For the purpose of simplicity, I am going to address in particular the considerations of selecting wood for a stirring or cooking spoon. If anyone is making a different sort of functional spoon, we can discuss the considerations unique to your design and intended use on an individual basis.

As mentioned before, a straight grained wood is more suitable for a cooking spoon. I am not saying that it has to be 'boring', as that is not the truth. In fact, using grain creatively in designing your spoon will really add to the uniqueness and beauty. If your spoon is going to be curved (such as a dipper), the wood can be selected with that in mind. By using a natural curve where a branch meets the trunk of a tree will strengthen the spoon since you will be avoiding a 'short' grain.

The hardness of the wood should be such that it can withstand some pressure, weight, impact and heat. The pressure of stirring a thick stew, the weight of dipping out a potato or hunk of beef, the impact of smacking your beautiful new spoon on the side of the pot to shake off the mashed potatoes and of course, this all happens under sometimes intense heat. I like making spoons but I wouldn't want to be one.

The grain direction should be considered. Looking at the end grain you will see which direction the growth rings curve. It will strengthen the spoon to use this curve to match the upwards direction of the spoon bowl.

Does size really matter? Certainly you will want to consider the planned use of the spoon to determine its size. For our stirring spoon example, 10"-12" long would be a reasonable size and maybe a couple of inches wide. There is obviously some flex here, depending on personal preference. I have big hands and those skinny little handles on the store bought spoons just want to spin, making them hard to grasp.

Well, that leads us to shape. We're talking about basically three parts to the spoon. The bowl, the neck and the handle. A stirring spoon bowl would be flatter than a dipping spoon, but a well designed spoon could be used for both. The neck of the spoon should not be spindly as this is where most of the pressure will be applied to the spoon. Making the neck thick and strong enough can be an integral part of a gracefully designed spoon. Balance is the key. As mentioned, a skinny round handle can be difficult to hold onto. I would suggest a flatter, more oval shape to the handle, regardless of how it is to be carved or decorated. The flatness could be on either plane and it doesn't have to be uniform…. Just comfortable to hold. One way to get the perfectly shaped handle is to shape modeling clay by squeezing it in your hand like you would a spoon handle. Then use this 'grip' shape when carving the wood.

Woods with strong smells like cedar and juniper might not be the best choices. And there are some woods that tend to irritate the skin so choose something NON-toxic. I am going 'out on a limb' here and suggest that a green wood can be used as effectively as the dried wood. I say this with reservations though. I have found that many of the green woods I carve are pretty much dried by the time I finish. This could just mean that I am a slow carver, but if the wood is not thick, and the grain is fairly straight, it always seems to work itself out. There is probably some 'movement' after I am finished with the spoon but I have only seen it on two occasions. One was oak burl and one was macadamia wood. I will say more about the green wood later when I address the tools needed. Point is, green wood can be easier to carve, especially with chisels (tends to clog the rotary tools).

Overall, when you add functionality to the project you are also adding considerations on wood selection. But rather than being an 'either/or' choice, it can be a 'both/and' creative project. Just be certain that the decorative aspects of the spoon don't interfere with or complicate the functionality. A case in point would be to have intricate carvings near the bowl making it difficult to keep clean.

I will be adding to this as we go along since some of the topics cross over when we are talking about tool selection (coming up!), but if anyone has any questions at all, either generic or specific, please don't hesitate.

New caveat: Although I have never carved a 'functional spoon in my life, I know it all…. I have Google. <grin>
 

Attachments

#84 ·
Regarding wood slection

I had posted the following in the first part of the 'blog' (comment section) and someone was kind enough to suggest that it might be easier to find posted as a new segment/addition. Now that I have been educated, I will post the upcoming tools discussion as Part 3 and the step-by-step as future segments.

Bicycle part Font Musical instrument accessory Eyewear Service


A little bit about wood selection:

For NON-functional spoons the choice in wood is completely open, although there ARE considerations. If you plan to carve in great detail, then you will want to select a wood that is tight grained and somewhat easy to carve. Straight grained wood is generally easier to carve than wood from burls, crotches and the such.

The level of your carving ability/experience might also play a role in choosing a suitable wood. If you are just starting out with wood carving then I would suggest that you choose a reasonably easy wood to carve. Cherry, basswood, mahogany, sycamore, ash, beech, boxwood, horse chestnut (I find this carves easily and with good detail), witch hazel (very tight grained and finishes beautifully), black locust burl (believe it or not) carves like butter to me and the finish is pure silk.

Some of the fruit wood is nice to carve… others seem to be more cantankerous. As mentioned, cherry is good, plum finishes nice without too much effort and pear wood is a pleasure to work with. Then you get to the citrus woods and I find them to be very hard and somewhat troublesome. Grape is pretty tough as well.

If your carving skills are up to it, and you have a notion to try something new…. I highly recommend trying a wood that might not generally be thought of for wood projects due to size and availability. One of the really great things about spoon carving is that the size is small and lends itself to using those 'rare' and unusual woods. With the size being small, even the purchase of exotic wood is usually not prohibitive. The spoon size allows you to walk out back of the house and prune the lilac, or smoke tree, or redbud, or taxus, or viburnum, etc. Really almost any tree or shrub can be used. There have been spoons carved from Poison Ivy (non-functional). I just find it very rewarding to cut into an unfamiliar wood and discover a unique grain or color. Very worthwhile!

Of course, a thing to remember is how intricate your planned carving is going to be, but with a 'new' wood you might just be compelled by the wood to take a new direction midstream. And that is highly recommended.

For FUNctional spoons the choices are still quite numerous but are somewhat dependent on the intended function. A coffee scoop can obviously be more open grained and be less straight grained than what would be practical for a stirring spoon, a spoon that will be immersed in hot liquids. The stirring spoon will require a flatter spoon bowl, a longer handle and a stronger neck than the coffee scoop. For the purpose of simplicity, I am going to address in particular the considerations of selecting wood for a stirring or cooking spoon. If anyone is making a different sort of functional spoon, we can discuss the considerations unique to your design and intended use on an individual basis.

As mentioned before, a straight grained wood is more suitable for a cooking spoon. I am not saying that it has to be 'boring', as that is not the truth. In fact, using grain creatively in designing your spoon will really add to the uniqueness and beauty. If your spoon is going to be curved (such as a dipper), the wood can be selected with that in mind. By using a natural curve where a branch meets the trunk of a tree will strengthen the spoon since you will be avoiding a 'short' grain.

The hardness of the wood should be such that it can withstand some pressure, weight, impact and heat. The pressure of stirring a thick stew, the weight of dipping out a potato or hunk of beef, the impact of smacking your beautiful new spoon on the side of the pot to shake off the mashed potatoes and of course, this all happens under sometimes intense heat. I like making spoons but I wouldn't want to be one.

The grain direction should be considered. Looking at the end grain you will see which direction the growth rings curve. It will strengthen the spoon to use this curve to match the upwards direction of the spoon bowl.

Does size really matter? Certainly you will want to consider the planned use of the spoon to determine its size. For our stirring spoon example, 10"-12" long would be a reasonable size and maybe a couple of inches wide. There is obviously some flex here, depending on personal preference. I have big hands and those skinny little handles on the store bought spoons just want to spin, making them hard to grasp.

Well, that leads us to shape. We're talking about basically three parts to the spoon. The bowl, the neck and the handle. A stirring spoon bowl would be flatter than a dipping spoon, but a well designed spoon could be used for both. The neck of the spoon should not be spindly as this is where most of the pressure will be applied to the spoon. Making the neck thick and strong enough can be an integral part of a gracefully designed spoon. Balance is the key. As mentioned, a skinny round handle can be difficult to hold onto. I would suggest a flatter, more oval shape to the handle, regardless of how it is to be carved or decorated. The flatness could be on either plane and it doesn't have to be uniform…. Just comfortable to hold. One way to get the perfectly shaped handle is to shape modeling clay by squeezing it in your hand like you would a spoon handle. Then use this 'grip' shape when carving the wood.

Woods with strong smells like cedar and juniper might not be the best choices. And there are some woods that tend to irritate the skin so choose something NON-toxic. I am going 'out on a limb' here and suggest that a green wood can be used as effectively as the dried wood. I say this with reservations though. I have found that many of the green woods I carve are pretty much dried by the time I finish. This could just mean that I am a slow carver, but if the wood is not thick, and the grain is fairly straight, it always seems to work itself out. There is probably some 'movement' after I am finished with the spoon but I have only seen it on two occasions. One was oak burl and one was macadamia wood. I will say more about the green wood later when I address the tools needed. Point is, green wood can be easier to carve, especially with chisels (tends to clog the rotary tools).

Overall, when you add functionality to the project you are also adding considerations on wood selection. But rather than being an 'either/or' choice, it can be a 'both/and' creative project. Just be certain that the decorative aspects of the spoon don't interfere with or complicate the functionality. A case in point would be to have intricate carvings near the bowl making it difficult to keep clean.

I will be adding to this as we go along since some of the topics cross over when we are talking about tool selection (coming up!), but if anyone has any questions at all, either generic or specific, please don't hesitate.

New caveat: Although I have never carved a 'functional spoon in my life, I know it all…. I have Google. <grin>
thanks for the re=posting
and for the diagram … somehow, this "plain old spoon" helps with the creativity.

I guess it is the same old wisdom: you have to know the rules before you can break the rules (and make it work).
 

Attachments

#90 ·
draw and saw, y'all

For any of you that have not settled on your design yet, don't worry. I am just going to address this part of the preparation stage since I have the time. This whole collaboration is set up to be flexible around everyone's schedule and timetable. The information will be here when you are ready for it.

Most of the time, I just end up drawing a design directly onto the wood. I do this out of poor planning and being what some folks might call lazy. The better way is definitely to draw your design (to scale) on a piece of paper. You can refine your drawing this way and it takes much less time to change a design on paper than it does with wood.

When you draw your design, draw it from at least two perspectives, the top view and the side view. This will allow two advantages. First, by having both a top and side view drawn, you can spot potential problems with the design. The top (bird's eye) view might look really great but when you draw the side profile you might realize that the proportions don't quite work so well. Maybe you see that the piece will look chunky, or maybe realize that the spoon will tend to roll to one side and a change of the pencil line steadies it up.

The second advantage comes when you set about cutting your spoon design out of your wood blank. By transferring both views to the top and side of your wood blank, you can cut out the spoon shape from both angles and this alone will save you a couple of hours of carving. Some shapes that are more 'blocky' can be cut from one angle and be rounded off. On the other hand, a more slender and/or curved piece cut from both angles will pretty much leave a minimum of carving. I mentioned early on that once you get the blank cut out, you're almost done!

One cheat for symmetry…. draw half the spoon and fold over lengthwise. Cut out the shape on the folded paper for perfect symmetry. (kind of like drawing a heart shape)

The real smart thing to do is to transfer your drawing to a piece of clear acetate or plastic film. You can simply lay it atop of your paper design and trace the lines. By doing this you get two more benefits. (yippee!) The first is that you will be able to see the wood grain through the plastic… and you can reposition the drawing over the wood and take advantage of any structural and aesthetic characters in the grain. You can make use of… (or avoid) knots, figure, color, etc.

The second benefit in using plastic is now you have a reusable template in case you want to reproduce the spoon. Simply store the template until you get ready to carve the next spoon and you have avoided having to redraw the design. Now the truth of it is, I usually don't remember to do this until after I am midway into carving the spoon. But it really IS a good practice to keep.

After you have settled on the positioning of the design, simply tape one end of the plastic to the wood, slide in a piece of carbon paper and by retracing your lines you sketch in any details. If the design is simply an outline, use a pencil or scribe to draw the outline onto the wood. If you are set on just using the paper template, use glue to attach it to the wood instead of just taping the edges. Since you will be sawing both top and side, the glue will hold the paper much more securely than the tape. And if you are using a band saw or scroll saw to cut out the blank, the tape has a tendency to 'drag' on the saw table.

So…. what tool are YOU going to use to cut out the spoon blank?? Depending on the size of the blank, the best tool is either a band saw or scroll saw. A scroll saw is great for the smaller pieces. It can also make internal cuts that can save a ton of time and effort. I want one! It is also more suited to making sharp curves and intricate shapes. But if the wood is more than a couple of inches thick…. Start up the band….saw.

A band saw is a great all around tool, no doubt about that. For most spoon designs it does an adequate (and quick) job… depending on the blade installed. The finer the blade, the tighter the curves. A wider blade can be used to lesser effect, but by making relief cuts you can coax a curve out of even the wider blades.

Up until this past January I used a pruning saw to 'block out' the wood and then I used a cheap fretsaw to rough out the shape. This process left a bit more carving to do, and at times felt a whole lot like work, but in the end it is a workable option if you don't have access to the fancier equipment. That's why I said earlier that once you get the blank cut out, you're almost done. Me, I'd rather be carving than sawing.

Regardless of which saw you use, use it with presence of mind and follow all of the safety 'rules' for your particular saw/equipment. You know, be familiar with the controls, capabilities, capacity and stay alert.

I recommend cutting out the top view of your design first…. Keeping the saw blade just outside your pattern line. The more consistent you can be with following the line, the more true to your idea the finished spoon will be. If you are looking for symmetry (as a lot of spoons tend to be) , it will be much easier taking your time on the cut instead of 'making up for it' during the carving process. Hopefully, you have started with a wood 'block' that is fairly squared up. This will help both with keeping the symmetry and also it is much safer. You want the block to sit flat on the saw table. (Fret sawing is a bit different, the block needs to be securely anchored while sawing).

Do NOT discard the off-cuts from the wood block as you cut out your spoon design. The reason for this is that when you flip your wood onto its side to cut out the side angle of your design, you will want to use these pieces to help give that 'flat bottom' back. It is basically a matter of reassembling the pieces (as if they were a puzzle) with masking tape. Here tape is better than the glue since you will be only wanting to hold those pieces in place while you make the second cut. But make sure the pieces are secured tightly together when you make the cut.

What can happen if you do not use these off-cuts to stabilize the wood block is that, depending on the design, after the first cut the bottom of the 'block' may not be flat and stable enough to keep the piece from rolling or tilting. Two DISadvantages here… first, you can ruin your spoon blank. Second….. you can ruin your fingers! When you make a cut on one end and having cut through the tape, a 'supporting' piece might fall away. Stop the saw, re-tape the piece securely onto the block and continue with the sawing. You have to keep in mind that when one piece of the block is cut away the other end is supporting the block….. but if you continue on and cut the other end, you have lost your support. Keep it in your mind that the 'block' has to be stable in order to achieve accuracy in sawing, and more importantly, safety in sawing.

This would be much easier to explain with photos, but I don't have access to the 'shop' just now. (My buddy got himself hospitalized) If any part is unclear or you have specific questions I will be happy to respond. Carving tools are next on the agenda……..

Confucius say: Never sleep while sawing logs. huh?!
 
#104 ·
TOOL much time on my hands.

There are some woodworkers that have a broad range of experience with all sorts of tools and can use them skillfully in keeping with their function. I am not one of those.

I am going to tell you about tools that I know nothing about. I am going to give you advice, some of which is based on practices I have yet to try. I am going to mention tools that I have never even held in my hands. And after I do, you are going to come to the realization that, "If this chump can carve a spoon, so can I".

Some years ago I taught flying lessons. Immediately after completing my training I secured a Flight Instructor position with an FBO at the local airport. The Chief Pilot (who was this really great air show stunt pilot) told me that I would learn more in the first two weeks of teaching than I had learned in the previous year or so of my training. He was right!

I am telling this because something similar is occurring as I gather up information for this spoon collaboration. In the process of researching wood, tools and techniques I am beginning to learn how to carve a spoon. Or at least how it is 'supposed' to be done. Now, admittedly, I've never had proper training, nor ANY training for that matter, in the use of woodworking tools…. carving or otherwise. I just kind of fumble along and have learned a few things NOT to do, things that make the adrenalin flow and the hair to stand out on the back of my neck.

When you add to this 'confession' the multitude of tools available, the differing approaches, the experience of the various participants AND… that each spoon is going to be uniquely designed and carved from different woods, you might get the idea that this is going to a broadly scattered topic. That being said, the best approach is ….do not hesitate to ask any questions unique to your project.

This reminds me of another 'flying' story. I was in 'ground school' with maybe 35-40 fellow students and the instructor spent quite some time explaining some topic regarding flight calculations. He emphasized that it was important concept to grasp before we moved on. I had no clue what he just talked about and my ears were burning because I seemed to be the only one that didn't 'get it'. So I sheepishly raised my hand and asked if he could explain it further (I got embarrassed back in those days). Anyway, he asked the class if there was anyone else that needed to review and every single student shot their hand up in the air. So…. ASK!

Spoon carving has been around for hundreds of years longer than power tools have. So that makes it apparent that a spoon can be carved without the use of power tools. Well, by some people anyway. I hold a lot of respect for those that can take a simple blade and carve a shape, those patient ones that can keep an edge on their knives and chisels. I am 99.973 percent a power carver… so I am going to speak to that first.

POWER TOOLS:

There are quite a few manufacturers of power tools these days. Some are of really great quality and reasonably priced. I personally use a Foredom brand rotary tool with a fairly modest collection of burrs and bits. I have owned this tool for maybe 15 years or so without any problems other than loaning it to a fellow that broke the internal flexible shaft, but $30 and I was back in business.

What I have found to be true for me is that the rotary tools are relatively easy to control, they can make (almost) any sort of cut from fine detail to just plain 'hogging' out the wood, and are very low maintenance. I seriously believe that if I had to use the regular hand-carving tools, I would not be willing or able to carve the spoons I make. Two reasons for this…. I have no interest in sharpening a tool when I could be carving with it and I think that the hand tools require more control and talent to use. I simply want to take the easiest path from start to finish, and for me, that means rotary tools.

Rotary Tools:

There are two basic types of rotary tools: Those where a bit or burr is connected directly to the motor via a collet or chuck… and those with a flexible shaft connecting the motor to a 'hand-piece' which in turn houses the collet. In both cases, the collet or chuck is the apparatus that holds the carving bit secure.

The bits and burrs themselves come in many sizes and shapes for making a variety of cuts, from aggressive to delicate. The more aggressive bits will have a thicker and sturdier shank as there is a tendency to 'bear down' with those. The bits that are designed for the finer cuts can be supported by a thinner shank. The shank has to be properly matched to the size of the collet for a secure fit.

It is useful to break down carving with rotary burs into 3 stages (not the 3 stooges). The ROUGHING stage is the place to start after you have cut your spoon blank out on the band saw (or other tool). Roughing requires the heavier bits with the thicker shanks. Some of these remove the wood remarkably fast on softwood… and fairly fast on really hard wood. They can also be used to good effect in removing the top layers of skin.

Although somewhat dependent on the spoon design, I usually begin my carving with one of the coarse carbide-tipped roughing bits, usually the rounded nose. I will either start on the handle or the inside of the bowl. When I first start carving, my pencil lines are still sharp and easy to see. It makes it much easier for me to do the roughing out of the spoon bowl early on and then make shape adjustments from the back of the bowl.

Once I get the basic internal bowl shape, I flip the piece over and start rounding and shaping the back of the bowl. This is not regimented at all. I might start on the back of the spoon bowl and find that the handle is 'calling' me so I just go with the flow. But the useful thing here, is to do the roughing before moving on to the smaller bits. And even within the roughing process, you can move from the really coarse bits to the ones that will give you a smoother platform to work from. Not only will it save you work in carving, it saves a lot of time changing out the bits. I also will use my fingers as a 'caliper' to determine the general thickness of the bowl before moving on. I have this tendency to think I am getting the bowl too thin, only to discover later that it is still a quarter inch thick. Of course, that is probably better than leaning in the direction of too thin.

Once you have the spoon rough carved, you can move to the second stage of carving. SHAPING the spoon is different than the roughing. You will want to use smaller sized and finer cutting bits in order to 'relieve' the shape you intend for your spoon. Let's say your spoon is going to have a flower carved on the end of the handle. After that shape was roughed out, you can begin to carve in the details such as the edges of the petals, the spaces in between and the center of the flower, all with the shaping bits. Depending on the detail desired and the bits used, you may be ready for sanding after this stage. But in most cases, there will be the finer DETAILING required to give the desired effect.

Choosing the proper bit shape becomes increasingly important the finer detail you are working with. There are so many shapes… and even sub-shapes. You can have cones, inverted cones, rounded cones, etc. I have discovered through countless hours of carving, a surefire way to find the exact right bit shape. All you have to do is try a shape and if that doesn't work, try a different one…. and if that doesn't work, try a different shape. This is the only 'surefire' way I know of to determine the right bit to work with. Honest! I still don't know which is the right bit until I find it (and sometimes I don't). The process goes something like this. Hmmm, that didn't work… I'll try this. Nope. Hmmm.. maybe this one, Ooops!, maybe not… ok, this one. Hey, it worked!

Once again, go as far as you can before shifting to the finer bits. But also know that it is quite likely there will be some 'going back'.

The DETAILING is that tedious part of the carving process that is designed to drive us nuts. I kind of like the idea of just carving a spoon and giving it a big texture! But some designs call for those little details that can really set off a carving. Back when I was watching Jordan's class on shoe carving, I couldn't help but wonder how they got all that detail…… even the stitches. So I carve spoons that don't require so much. Ha! But the smaller and finer bits are designed to make those little bitty shapes, and depending on your patience level, you can achieve that sort of detail using the finer rotary bits. At this point, many of the finer bits will be ruby or diamond covered. They can give an almost sanded look depending on the wood.

The main message though, is to follow the three stages in order. Roughing, shaping and finally detailing. Inside each stage, there are numerous ways to achieve the desired effect. And I encourage you to experiment within each stage.

I have found carving with rotary tools to be relatively safe. If you are careful, watchful and wary, chances are you won't cut off a finger. BUT, there is one danger in particular that using a rotary tool can present. If your machine cuts in a clockwise direction (some machines can be reversed), there is a strong tendency for the spinning bit to RUN around the edge. That is to say, that as the spinning bit is cutting near the edge in the direction of rotation, the bit wants to FLY around that edge or corner. Chances are, this is where you will be keeping your fingers or your leg. This is the adrenalin pumping, neck hair standing up experience I was referring to earlier. It can be quite disconcerting…. and painful.

The remedy of course, is to avoid carving close to that 'far edge' of rotation. The spoon carving can be spun around and that portion can be safely carved on the near side, the side opposite the direction of rotation. As with any other kind of carving, or wood working, it pays to stay 'present' and alert. The times I have been startled with this is usually the times when I got complacent. I don't mean to scare anyone away from rotary, because I believe it is relatively safe. But certainly I would be remiss if I did not stress out this inherent 'risk'.

Although I have never experimented with it, it seems that if you are left-handed the rotation 'problem' would be reversed. Meaning, that the 'clockwise' rotation of the bit held in the left hand would now present the same problem on the 'near' side of the piece.

And one more caution…. with rotary tools the wood bits and dust will fly up into the air. As you change the angle of your carving tool, the debris can be thrown directly towards your attentive face. And if you carve outside like I do, the wind can have the tendency to 'blind' side you with a sudden gust carrying all sorts of debris towards your eyes. Protective lens are GOOD.

Some of these machines turn at a variable speed while others are preset at a certain speed. Some are moderately fast, while others are extremely fast! I think one of the most useful features to consider, regardless of your choice in rotary machines, is a variable speed foot control…. like the ones you see on sewing machines (rheostat). With the motor plugged into one of these, you have FULL control over the speed (with your foot) while leaving both hands free to secure and manipulate the piece you are carving on. Even the variable speed tools benefit from this device. After a very short while, you find yourself controlling the speed exactly the way you want it…. and without even giving it thought. The beauty is that you can give 100% of your attention to the 'piece at hand' and not be distracted by having to manually make any speed adjustments. And of course, this adds to the safety of your machine.

I do not have access to the shop just now or I would show you my modest collection of burs and bits. You would probably think…. "Is that all he has?" But since I can't get over there just now, I am going to post a link leading to Jordan's previous post on this subject. I know that's cheating but it will be to your benefit. He has about 5 times more bits than me and does a great job of classifying their use.

http://lumberjocks.com/jordan/blog/20964

Also, if you are considering using rotary, you should check out the following article. Very comprehensive regarding bit availability and selection. The only problem I see with it is that it makes me envious to have some of those bits.

http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/tools-and-tips/choosing-power-carving-bits.html

Power carvers:

I want one. I have never seen one of these operate, other than a video, but I really think they would be a great tool to have in the arsenal. Although, fairly large for spoon carving, there are some cuts that I would imagine they excel at. Namely, those fine V-cuts that give a crisp edge to a carving. I usually try to achieve this effect with a file… and never succeed. Also, with a bent gouge, I can see this as being a great tool for hollowing the spoon bowl, especially if the spoon blank is secured to a bench via a vice or clamp.

If I were carving a lot of the larger functional spoons, I would definitely want to check this out for clearing the inside and rounding off the back of the spoon bowl. I can imagine with a little practice, these could be very fast to work with.

HAND TOOLS:

The ONLY thing I really know about hand tools is to make sure you keep them Sharp! They even taught us that back in the orphanage. The farm boss (everybody called him 'Horse') would scoff in that high-pitched voice of his, at any one of us that tried hacking through bailing twine or a stick with a dull pocket knife. He'd pull his knife out and deftly sliced through whatever it was and he say something like, "You boys are going to get yourselves hurt with that dull blade. Might as well be using a saw."

I wasn't good at sharpening tools back then… and I'm still not. But if you are going to go the hand tool route, keep it sharp. Now you officially know all I know about hand tools for spoon carving.

Change of direction here………..

My intent when I began researching this section on carving knives was to organize and group them into neat little categories that would simplify explanation. What I discovered after several hours of scouring the internet… is that there are innumerable types of blades, sizes, uses, handle types, differing metals, etc. etc.! While the rotary bits can be sub-divided easily enough, there seems to be as many blades and blade shapes as makers. And there are a LOT of them! And that is all good if you go looking for a usable tool. But in trying to categorizing them, I found it exasperating.

What did happen during the hours spent searching was that I discovered that exactly what I wanted to say…. was already said… and said well. So, in one way, this may seem like a cop-out, but I am attaching some OUTSTANDING links I encountered. I am doing this simply because I can not improve upon these articles. My intent was to gather together the information and make it user friendly, but if you click on the following links, you will gain much from it. I did.

The first two links are from knife makers, and although this is NOT an endorsement for their tools (although I have read many, many positive reviews on both sellers), I have to say I am very impressed not only with their knowledge of the blades, but also their ability to share it.

http://www.oldjimbo.com/Outdoors-Magazine/Spoon-carving-knives-by-Del-Stubbs.pdf

http://www.pinewoodforge.com/catalog.html

The following two tutorials will only add to what has already been said about carving a spoon. I set out to inspire you guys and ended up spending hours myself with my head buried in the computer. I'm chomping at the bit to get back in the shop.

http://www.oldjimbo.com/Outdoors-Magazine/Spoon-Carving-Tutorial.pdf

http://www.barrygordon.com/Spoonmaking.pdf
 
#105 ·
Thanks. I have to decide if I want to go the hand or power route. I'm not sure if I have the right tools to carve the inside of the bowl. I do like the carving hold downs in the barry gordon document.
 
#123 ·
Back in the saddle again...

After a good 5-6 weeks, I finally made it back to the shop for a couple of hours yesterday, the shop being the alleyway behind my friend's garage. Pretty dang hot and humid.. and the mosquitoes and gnats didn't seem to mind.

I didn't take along my sketchpad but I remembered this inch long drawing (circled) that I thought would be easy and fun to make.

Jaw Organism Gesture Finger Line


Looking through my wood box I found a piece of serviceberry wood that I thought might look alright. I don't have to worry about the grain direction so much since it is going to be a nonfunctional spoon. I drew a design directly onto the wood blank after squaring it up, but I didn't really remember exactly what the drawing had looked like. I missed it by quite a bit but I really just wanted to get back to carving so no big deal.

After cutting out the top of the design I used a drop or two of the gel superglue to temporary reattach the off cuts. A tap with a hammer knocks those pieces right off.

Wood Rectangle Automotive exterior Bumper Beige


After cutting the side profile the blank ended up looking like this…

Wood Tool Flooring Hardwood Plywood


I started with a coarse round bit to clear out the bowl. The outside of the bowl was shaped with a different coarse bit that has straight sides and a rounded top. If my band saw blade had been sharp, I could have tilted the table and cut off some of the excess on the spoon bottom… saving myself a half hour or so.

Brown Wood Silver Beige Natural material


Carving the bowl is when I 'remembered' that Serviceberry is a hard wood to carve. I should have picked a design with a smaller bowl…. or found a softer wood.

After a spell I got the bowl roughed out and changed bits to another rounded style. It has finer teeth and gives a smoother finish. As I was shaping both the inside and back of the bowl, the design seemed to look like a leaf shape so I am going with that… unless something else presents itself. This is mostly the way I work, letting the piece sort of dictate, or at least suggest, the direction of the spoon design.

Tableware Kitchen utensil Wood Wood stain Natural material


After a couple hours, this is what the thing looks like. There is one crack showing up in the bottom of the bowl, so I am watching to see if I have to scrap it.

Table Wood Floor Flooring Wood stain


Just to give you an idea of my carving set-up, I am attaching a couple of pics. First off, I have my band saw on a furniture dolly so I can roll it in and out of the garage. I don't have a dust collection system so when I am done sawing and carving I just take the leaf blower and blast everything with it.

I keep my rotary tool (Foredom) attached to a folding ladder and just unfold the ladder in the alleyway when I get to carving. The nice thing is that the garage doors are the flip up kind, and as you can see from the photo, I position myself in the shade. Notice the foot pedal for speed control…. works great!!

Furniture Chair Wood Outdoor furniture Flooring


As there are others that use the garage, I keep my bits in a small box and drag it out with the ladder and chair. You can see I don't have a lot of bits and burs… but most times it is enough to do the job. I also have an Xacto knife which comes in handy from time to time.

Tool Red Wood Gas Toolbox


I am really interested in seeing the spoons you guys carve… and if you have the notion (and the time), I would love to see some of the process.
 

Attachments

#124 ·
Back in the saddle again...

After a good 5-6 weeks, I finally made it back to the shop for a couple of hours yesterday, the shop being the alleyway behind my friend's garage. Pretty dang hot and humid.. and the mosquitoes and gnats didn't seem to mind.

I didn't take along my sketchpad but I remembered this inch long drawing (circled) that I thought would be easy and fun to make.

Jaw Organism Gesture Finger Line


Looking through my wood box I found a piece of serviceberry wood that I thought might look alright. I don't have to worry about the grain direction so much since it is going to be a nonfunctional spoon. I drew a design directly onto the wood blank after squaring it up, but I didn't really remember exactly what the drawing had looked like. I missed it by quite a bit but I really just wanted to get back to carving so no big deal.

After cutting out the top of the design I used a drop or two of the gel superglue to temporary reattach the off cuts. A tap with a hammer knocks those pieces right off.

Wood Rectangle Automotive exterior Bumper Beige


After cutting the side profile the blank ended up looking like this…

Wood Tool Flooring Hardwood Plywood


I started with a coarse round bit to clear out the bowl. The outside of the bowl was shaped with a different coarse bit that has straight sides and a rounded top. If my band saw blade had been sharp, I could have tilted the table and cut off some of the excess on the spoon bottom… saving myself a half hour or so.

Brown Wood Silver Beige Natural material


Carving the bowl is when I 'remembered' that Serviceberry is a hard wood to carve. I should have picked a design with a smaller bowl…. or found a softer wood.

After a spell I got the bowl roughed out and changed bits to another rounded style. It has finer teeth and gives a smoother finish. As I was shaping both the inside and back of the bowl, the design seemed to look like a leaf shape so I am going with that… unless something else presents itself. This is mostly the way I work, letting the piece sort of dictate, or at least suggest, the direction of the spoon design.

Tableware Kitchen utensil Wood Wood stain Natural material


After a couple hours, this is what the thing looks like. There is one crack showing up in the bottom of the bowl, so I am watching to see if I have to scrap it.

Table Wood Floor Flooring Wood stain


Just to give you an idea of my carving set-up, I am attaching a couple of pics. First off, I have my band saw on a furniture dolly so I can roll it in and out of the garage. I don't have a dust collection system so when I am done sawing and carving I just take the leaf blower and blast everything with it.

I keep my rotary tool (Foredom) attached to a folding ladder and just unfold the ladder in the alleyway when I get to carving. The nice thing is that the garage doors are the flip up kind, and as you can see from the photo, I position myself in the shade. Notice the foot pedal for speed control…. works great!!

Furniture Chair Wood Outdoor furniture Flooring


As there are others that use the garage, I keep my bits in a small box and drag it out with the ladder and chair. You can see I don't have a lot of bits and burs… but most times it is enough to do the job. I also have an Xacto knife which comes in handy from time to time.

Tool Red Wood Gas Toolbox


I am really interested in seeing the spoons you guys carve… and if you have the notion (and the time), I would love to see some of the process.
the photos are great!!!
I'm still at the design phase - as I said I am high in creativity and a little lacking on the hands-on genes :)
 

Attachments

#147 ·
The Finish Line

I've had to strap myself in for the last couple of weeks riding this roller coaster called 'life', and have had all three hands busy at the wheel. Anyways… I am never too far removed from the spoon carving addiction.

For those of you that might still be in this spoon carving process, I wanted to mention a couple of words regarding 'finishing'. Of course, that word carries two different connotations. The first being, "get ur done" and the second is applying a 'finish' to seal and/or protect the wood. While the first use of the word might be the most useful at this point, I am instead going to look at the second…. The application of some sort of finish.

Not being one to create something that is actually functional, I have the luxury of being able to experiment with a broad range of finishes…. and have over the years. But in discovering that I am inherently lazy and have an acute case of 'get-it-done-itis', I have come to appreciate those finishes that are easy to apply, dry quickly and give an elegant look to the wood without a gloppy buildup.

The tactile quality of the finish is as important to me as the visual. If it feels like plastic, I don't like it. If the wood feels 'dry', I don't like it. What I do like is… for the finish to showcase the grain of the wood, giving a 'saturated' appearance to the natural color of the wood and without distracting in any way from the wood… or the spoon. This is what I like, but have yet to fully and consistently achieve it.

There is this look that I have heard referred to as a 'gallery finish'. I'm sure that means different things to different folks, and for me it is more of something I recognize in other's work. So before leading into a brief and incomplete listing of possible finishes, the best recommendation that I can give for finding the right finish is that when you see a finish you like, ask the maker how he or she went about it. And then experiment.

Of course, in making functional spoons, there are many more considerations to choosing a finish other than look and feel. I mean, you might actually be putting that thing into your mouth (or at least your food)… so your choices are going to be limited to those finishes that are approved for such a use, aka NON-toxic. But you really don't have to sacrifice the aesthetic qualities in order to obtain a finish that will also extend the useful life of the spoon.

You gotta,I mean just gotta use a finish that is water repellent. There are two kinds of finishes…. penetrating and film-forming. The film-forming finish is going to chip, crack and, with use, in a very short time going to become a mess. Water has a way of messing with wood, causing the wood to expand… and then as the wood dries it shrinks… and then your really cool spoon splits down the middle.

The penetrating finishes are far better suited to protecting the wood spoon, not only from water, but from heat and even stains (spaghetti sauce and the such). Most of these are going to be some sort of oil, or oil combination (usually wax).

Some folks use vegetable oils but they go can rancid after a bit. I suppose you could wash and reapply regularly and that would help… but still, I think there are better alternatives. Coconut oil is reportedly resistant to rancidity. Walnut oil and Almond oil a bit less so. Although, it seems like there are a lot of makers that swear by the Walnut oil.

Mineral Oil seems to be quite poplar, in part because it is easy to come by, inexpensive, easy to reapply and doesn't go rancid. Sometimes it is combined with a wax (paraffin or beeswax) for more protection. Mineral oil is petroleum based and that is a little weird when you think of it.

Raw Linseed (flaxseed?) oil has been used. Is that stuff still around?

100% Pure Tung Oil can be used.. just make sure that it is not one of those tung oil 'finishes' with all sorts of additives. Pure tung oil dries really hard and makes for a durable finish. I think if I were to make a functional spoon, and I am sure I will one of these days, I will probably use Tung oil (I have it) or the mineral oil…. Or maybe the walnut oil. (That sounded ambivalent?).

Some of the prepackaged finishes could be used. "Good stuff", Behlan's Salad bowl finish and Meldo's, etc…. A lot of these have unnamed 'drying agents' and I'm not really sure what they are…. So I'd be tempted to shy away from them.

The Behlan's I've used before, but not on a functional spoon. One thing I liked about that product was that I could build up coats gradually and the finish came out looking almost like a lacquer. Even though I believe it is billed as penetrating, it does build up a 'skin' and I think under heavy kitchen use, this could chip and lead to all sorts of problems.

No matter which product you use to finish your spoon with, it is recommended to allow a curing time before use.. depending on which product this could be several days.

For the NON-functional spoon the choices are even more numerous. I'm not even going to look at stains and paints, although they can be categorized as 'finishes'. But outside of these we are looking at:

Oils ~ Easy to apply, penetrates the wood, rag on-wait-rag off.

Varnish and Polyurethane ~ Good protection but dry slow, allowing for dust contamination. Usually brushed or sprayed in coats with sanding in between. I have pretty good luck with thinning the stuff and wiping on with a lint free cloth. Takes a few more coats but gives a respectable finish, if not totally durable.

(There are oil/varnish combinations and a lot of these can be rubbed on as well.)

Shellac ~ Fast drying (alcohol based), limiting dust contamination… but you've gotta work fast.

Lacquer ~ Fast drying as well, beautiful finish for those that have the skill. I usually mess it up even with the fool proof sprays.

Water-based finishes ~ Basically latex paint without pigment. I never got interested enough to try them. Plus, I don't think they are that durable.

Personally, for non-functional spoons, I like the Waterlox satin. I really liked the finish on Norm Sartorius' spoons and this is what he uses. Call me a copy cat! But the dang stuff is expensive at almost $40 quart. And then, it wants to dry up in the can once it is exposed to air. Some folks drop marbles in or squeeze the can to keep the air out but that is too much trouble for me. I just use what I can until it goes bad and start saving up for another can. It is that easy wipe on, wipe off, buff out, repeat that I like. I haven't quite got the technique down yet, but I am improving a little bit.

No matter which finish though, it seems like the wood used makes a big difference. Sometimes it will look almost glossy with a couple of coats and some woods I can get 6 coats on and it still looks a bit dull. I suppose it has to do with the density of the wood, but it seems more inconsistent than that.

My ears are open to any interesting finishes that I haven't tried. I mean, only the easy, foolproof ones.

As for the spoon carving, I finished 2-3 new spoons that aren't worth the showing. I had posted at the end of the last blog segment, hoping to see how everyone is coming along. Since it is kind of buried there, feel free to give us and update on your progress, or in some of our cases, regress.

That reminds me of something I read the other day…. "If 'con' is the opposite of 'pro', what is the opposite of progress?"
 
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