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#1 ·
Keeping sanity in spoondum!

It was good to hike again, the outside air was cool and crisp as I discovered just how much paper birch draped the edges of the pond that was once frozen. It's amazing how only a year ago I would not have been able to identify so many of the trees I walked past when hiking. Perhaps I simply took them for granted. My interests although still in woodworking were not nearly as deeply investigated in green timber as they are now.

A great deal of my exercises, projects, or ideas were performed in retail store wood. The hunger to learn more about so many various trees, where they are, what they make best for in the shop, all of this knowledge and learning I credit to making wooden spoons by hand. This process really aids in discovering various timbers and exploring their individual characteristics.

My first time even realizing a wooden spoon could be something to make was viewing "Alone in the Wilderness" when Dick Proenneke needed kitchen supplies and created one out of seasoned spruce. There was something extra impressive to me that with all of the great carpentry displayed throughout the documentary that he was able to completely perform craftsmanship and detailed skill in what seemed to be such a delicate endeavour.

Spoon making is special training, a Zen like concentration wrapped in a deep spirited challenge of the strong arm meeting the very softest touch of skillful care. The hewing and carving is the expression of music only the deep forest owns for it's personal symphony. The grains are plenty and like instruments all have there parts to play, the ways they separate with a blade and saw with a strike. I take a great pride in realizing this craft is timeless, and spans many generations all over our globe. You might say it is an expression of the earth itself and the spoon maker is the vessel trained over time to display in a creative extension the simple wonders of life through the natural world.

It is very easy to view our world spinning many times ragged over the bruises of sad stories, and yet it regains the elegance of a well tuned machine when we see its sacred blue skies, white clouds, and fields of green. I like to think in the confusing abundance of talking heads, somewhere deep in the woods the crafts person feeds the good back to the giants of timber and leaves. The hatchet has been stropped and dropped gently across the fibers, the job is well in our hands as the ghost of forefathers once masters of the current proceedings of making craft from wood acknowledge our creative cares with a gentle wind as a nod of approval to carry onward.

Holly spoons! Very nice wood to carve once you get going on it.
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So on we all return, we always come back wether miles away out in the sticks at our favorite chopping stump or addressing the bench like a monk in a church. The crafts person is an honored and secret success, many of us posses a notch of it's wisdom all the while the current machine of modern times prevent the artisan from receiving their deserved worth. But we always return to the hammers, nails, saws, and planes because the pride is always of the highest value of self and soul.

The collection of ones I am happy with and still honing.
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Every carving a gesture of better days ahead, every shaving the falling wisdom of good things to come. Like any task involving wood crafting spoons is some sort of wonderful piece to a large and unattainable puzzle that makes the world of woodwork keep us fascinated. I hope you stopped by and read this, had a nice moment, and refueled your enthusiasm to defy your own limitations.

Those saws lay out there old and crude
the mighty Sycamore sweeps and swoons
ready your muscle, forward the task
every bustle, grains bladed and slashed

Bloody bound fists of grit and hell
shimmer your handles with blisters that swell
commit your strength to the length of the plank
when the last piece is sawn its the saw you shall thank…..


Never be afraid to color outside of the lines!

Be well, be safe, laugh more and keep a sharp blade!

CHEERS!!
 
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#2 ·
Alone in the Wilderness is one of the best documentaries ever. The guy accomplished amazing things with NO power tools or elctricity at all. When he made the bowl outta the burl, or SAWED the planks for the front door, or made the hinges for the door,....and he just kept on going and going and going…..................................just like you!

Great spoon work and another great blog!
 
#4 ·
Well Joe, I did stop by, I did read your excellent post, I had a nice moment and I refueled my enthusiasm to defy my own limitations. Now if you could just do something about the temperature outside…
 
#6 ·
Spoon carving video!

Hey gang, I hope this short video tutorial may fit anyones interest that would like to see some of the steps in spoon making with hand tools.

Unfortunately I am my own camera operator so this will not include any action shots…lol. Please drop me a line if this is something that sparks an interest or was helpful in some way.

If you found this first video blog enjoyable, then I may possibly do a few more on various projects in the shop. Or if you have a request on something you want to see or a suggestion I will try to see what I can do regarding that.

Hopefully my correct settings have been adjusted so this video will play for all of you, if not please bare with me and I will correct accordingly.

As always I thank you for your time and inspiration!

Here goes my debut….lol.

 
#7 ·
Great video blog and for the first one I think it came off really well. What would have been good to do at the end…lay the spoon next to the untouched piece just to show the difference.

You are really doing a great job on these spoons and with all hand tools yet!

As you say…Keep on spoonin' !
 
#17 ·
New spoon carving videos!

Hey fellow woodcrafters!

I hope you might jump over to my new website and take a look at 2 brand new spoon carving videos!

This time I rigged a 2×4 for a tripod and gave it a whirl so you can see me in carving action! I went high tech!...lol.

Join us at: http://www.spoonscarver.com/videos/

Visit the shop!
http://www.spoonscarver.com/the-ole-time-wood-shop/

Read some new blogs!
http://www.spoonscarver.com/my-blog/

Get some delicious recipes!
http://www.spoonscarver.com/chef-jenn-s-country-cabin-kitchen/

If possible please try and leave some comments on the new website, I appreciate your time, enthusiasm and participation!

SpoonsCarver.com

Thank you everyone for your support and great spirit!

Joe
 
#28 ·
Something in the spirit of better days

After the recent events of the Boston marathon in some way there is a feeling of guilt I have continuing to share ideas and projects involving woodcraft.

But I also think of things this way, I am a musician and woodworker. Whenever there is some tragic thing as national as all of this is for everyone to endure as a country, I can only do what I do best to help anyone feel a little normal again. Even if it is just for ten minutes.

I don't understand this time we live in, it is pretty scary. I love this country and I care for everyone from all countries that I have made great pen pals with (Or should I say social media friends…lol). My whole love of spoon carving is my great respect for the craftspeople all across Scandinavia as well as all over the globe.

We need to remember to stand together, and I also believe in our rights to protect ourselves. I love making friends with any and everybody, whatever your style or culture. But step on my lawn showing me any harm to my family and I can only recite the great words of John Wayne in the movie The Shootist…."I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them." Dam right.

Please be very careful viewing stories about this on the internet, especially if you have children with smart phones. There is a lot of horrible pictures up and still viral that you really do not need to see.

It's a sad deal, and my prayers and best wishes to all of the victims in this horrible act.

So, when things as I have written in the past get to much to understand. I walk the woods, I go to the grain, and attempt to craft something in the spirit of better days for all of us everywhere.

I hope this might be something you enjoy watching.

May there be better days for us all,

Joe

 
#35 ·
Traditional Wooden Spoon Making: How do you start this craft?

Spoon making is something that the more I research it the more I become astounded that this craft grows at the rate that it does. Friends, there are large groups of folks all over the globe that share classes, festivals, everything and anything related to making green wood into spoons and bowls.

I think perhaps it may be that spoon making is very portable as well as affordable. The wood is free, you can do it while camping with friends, the bench is a chopping log, and the tools can be brought in a tote.

I am learning that more people all the time are taking up this hobby and becoming consumed in it's natural therapeutic
rewards of bringing nature, craft and self together resulting in an inner peace of mind.

Spoon making with traditional hand tools is a primal, instinctive and challenging process. Each time we engage the green wood and prepare to convert it to a spoon there are so many elements that require our care and growing skill.

IMG_0434

SPOON MADE IN BLACK CHERRY


So….you see some wood spoons, you think to yourself….... Wow I like this, I have some extra tree limbs that need cutting. How do I start?

I can only provide what I have learned so far in my journey, please understand each step another spoon shows me more as well as the wonderful masters from past and present.

Form follows fibers. Jogge Sundqvist suggest that when in the woods we put on the proper glasses to see each trees form allowing us to know what we can make from it using it's natural form and shape. By proper glasses Jogge charms us meaning to use your eyes and mindset to know what to look for as we hunt our timber.

I will have more in depth information on this situation in my next blog. Right now, allow me to cover the basics for you getting in your backyard on a sunny day and just feeling your way around starting a spoon!

1. Saw a branch off of a live tree or collect branches at least (2-4 inches in diameter) that have been cut down and left to a curb, etc. Avoid knots at all costs!

2. Split the sawn segment down the middle, this way 2 spoons from one piece if your lucky. Keep in mind the tree already has it's natural grain path, and we have no authority over it's instruction so let it split how it splits. Frustrating but true! Wood is a teacher, sounds funny but keep learning this craft and you shall see.

3. Hew the wood down with a quality hatchet. What's a good hatchet? Tool makers such as Hans Karlsson, Svante Djarv, Gransfors, all can be found here: http://countryworkshops.org/Axes.html. Seriously friends, accept nothing else, if it's made in Sweden trust me you will not be disappointed. These tool makers are total craftsmen and Drew Langsner will never steer you wrong in green woodworking, he is the american guru of these crafts and a real woodworking icon.

HK 1

THIS BEAUTY NEVER LETS ME DOWN. HANDMADE BY HANS KARLSSON.

HK 2

PUT THIS ON A STROP AND WATCH HAIRS SPLIT…LOL


4. Carve the wood green, green wood cuts easy from the trees water content. You may carve seasoned wood but please keep in mind it will require more effort. Remember no power tools in this style of spoon making, we will only be doing this in the traditional way. This applies to sanding as well…..yes I can here everyone moaning….oh joy…lmao!

5. Study shapes online. Look at spoons you like, try to watch videos. Check http://www.spoonscarver.com/ (shameless plug…lol) You will find tons of pictures from all over the world of people making wooden spoons….this craft is much larger than you might believe. It honestly was a surprise to me months back learning this by seeing it all myself.

IMG_0555

A SPOON IN AGED BLACK CHERRY WOOD


6. Carving out the bowl you will need to get a hook knife. Please do yourself a favor and check out Del Stubbs http://www.pinewoodforge.com/ or you may go back to http://countryworkshops.org/. Keep in mind these gentlemen do this for their living, they are some of the top names in this game and their tools are the best. Your not even going to find this on Lie Nielson. If you purchase cheaper tools in the beginning you will learn how I did, and it will only be a disappointment. I used to use a Mora hook knife and honestly it's childs play next to my Svante Djarv purchased from Country Workshops.

7. Check out some videos on my website for further ideas and instruction: http://www.spoonscarver.com/videos/

8. Have fun and take slow steps. Please enjoy an honored craft that passes many generations. Wonderful!!!!

I hope some of this may be of help and continue to grow the wood spoon making craze!

More next time and if there is something on this you want to see I will try and add it to the next blog!

Be well friends and keep making shavings,

Joe
 
#36 ·
Interesting. Thanks for posting. I will say, however, that those fancy hatchets and knives are a bit too hard on the wallets for some of us. I am trying to get started with a Flexcut hook knife, an old Plumb hatchet and a folding knife I found in a ditch a few years ago. I'll keep them as sharp as I can. I might upgrade, if I get the chance, but one reason I love woodworking is that it doesn't require a big outlay to produce results. Maybe I will be unable to succeed with my cheapo tools, but I'll give it a try.
 
#44 ·
The journey of spoon craft unfolds new roads.

In my last blog I detailed a list of ways to get started in crafting a spoon from green wood.
Since that short time ago I have learned some wonderful lessons regarding grain, timber size, and being more aware of the possibilities of a wooden spoons life if we care to use the spoon on a daily basis.

Note: A big thanks to Jarrod Stone Dahl for his guidance and explanations on this timber splitting technique. Jarrod is an amazing green woodworker. Please be sure to check his wonderful talents here: http://jarrodstonedahl.blogspot.com/

Now comes the wrath of the math…..this is where I usually take cover..lol.

Many of you more experienced green wood workers may already have splitting timber into different sections under your belt and understood. For me, splitting timber for spoon making was basically down the middle, remove the branches pith and hopefully getting 2 spoons from a 2-3" diameter inch branch. Nothing wrong with that method, but it may play a strong role in how long your wooden spoons bowl may last a life of constant use.

This is where end grain will appear if you split a branch down the middle then go to town hewing out a spoon blank….there will be no way around that. That end grain or "rings" in the spoons bowl are very pleasing to the eye. These end grain rings show off your spoons grain in a terrific pattern. Unfortunately one very important problem may occur from this. Every time end grain soaks water from eating, cleaning, etc, the water needs to release almost like a blocked garden hose. That pressure after some time may cause the spoons bowl to begin a crack if your spoons bowl is not strong and supported enough. I learned this by reading an article from Del Stubbs. Del is a very talented and experienced craftsman, tool maker and spoon maker. His sloyd knives are off the charts….if you are serious about carving look no further than: http://www.pinewoodforge.com/catalog.html you will not be disappointed at all.

Now getting back to our possible dilema, too thin of a spoon bowl with end grain rings can possibly spell a short life for your creation. Again nothing is guaranteed with wood, it moves and we have to deal with it…lol.

Here is an example that most of us use. A piece of 2-3" diameter branch we split and make one or two spoons from. This split would be known as Tangential.


Note: I am only using the measurement of 2-3" of timber diameter merely as an average number for the bowls width. You may still apply these ideas with 1-5" lets say…or varied sizes. Please keep in mind that 2-3" is a nice play room as you carve so your spoons bowl at the width is not too slender.

Tang-split

Straight-Grain
If you only have small diameter timber such as leftover branch limbs around 2-3" inches the story is not all sad. If your spoons bowl has end grain in it than it is suggested that thickening your bowls support underneath from the keel to tip will improve your spoons strength and lifespan.

This information at the end of the day is only additional education where the carver can make their choice when producing a wooden spoon to enjoy. From my studies I have found that there is no real right or wrong method there is only a preference for the maker and what timber sizes they have available.

Of course if our 2-3" diameter branch has a crook or a natural curve or bend in it, we will be doing fine with this size of timber. The bend is natures built in pattern literally showing us the form to shape our spoon. The whole trick here is seeing the path of the grain. Studying the branches crook we may have all we will need depending on your design and curvature you want to apply.

Here is an example of a crooked branch. Here the fibers of grain give us a natural lift so our spoons bowl may be totally without end grain inside the bowl. Crooked or bent branches are always fun to find and teach our eyes to see the shapes within those beautiful trees! Take a hike in the woods and do some spoon hunting!
Crooked-Branch
For those of you who have some nice 15-7 inch diameter trunk wood splitting the timber radially is the way to go. If we split our piece radially we will get many nice spoon blanks and also relieve the end grain from appearing bullseye or a large section of it in our spoons bowl. This format as well as the crooked or bent smaller branch wood also supports the "form follows fiber" instruction to some degree that Jogge Sundqvist discusses and teaches. This way we can see grain that runs straight with a slight turn left or right through most of our spoon. Depending on how you split the wood, many times you will get a very straight grain path running throughout and of course the straighter the grain the stronger the spoon will be.

Here is an example of having a nice 7-15" diameter log of trunk wood. We can split this like pie pieces and make ourselves a good many spoon blanks from this without dealing with too much end grain in our spoons bowl. This process would be known as radial splitting
Radial-Pie

Here is an example of one of the removed pieces from our radial split.

Pie-Piece-new

Here is what your prepared spoon blank should look like after hewing it with your hatchet.
*

PIE-BLANK-new

So what does all of this complicated grain stuff mean? It is only additional education of the craft of making good spoons. Again there is no horror in doing a tangential split and making a nice spoon. This is only a warning that perhaps with heavy use the spoon may encounter checking issues in the spoons bowl. Guess what…it may never ever happen…that's wood for ya…lol. Basically the best advice in a better understanding of all of this is go out and try it! I had a pretty difficult time wrapping my brain around the different planes of wood and how the grain runs so please do not feel like your not picking this up.

Like any subject matter the further you explore and study the more wonderful knowledge you can attain. Spoon craft continues to surprise me, pull me away from my other projects and keeps me learning. Spoon carving has made me a better woodworker, taught me skills otherwise I may not have ever tried. I suppose it is that feeling of green woodwork, that we may be out in the forest and we have more contact with that raw rugged tree. Our exercises from working at the log have strengthened our muscles physically as well as mentally. Our eyes understand natures ways a little more and our ears remind us of the tones of triumph, patience and caution.

Ok…how about a few spoons to look at before we end this.
IMG_1055

IMG_1131

IMG_1187

IMG_1167

IMG_1228

IMG_1217

IMG_1215

IMG_1007

In closing….you will not be able to attain this total understanding of carving and shaping without the hatchet. A band saw will not do the work justice if it is a higher education of spoon making you seek. The hatchet tells us automatically the grains story, the blade is communicating with the wood where the best cuts will naturally be hewn allowing the strength to follow a natural improved sculpture. This careful Sloyd work is not for quick duplication pumped though electric machines, it is an aged old wisdom the student must sweat and work with a determined diligence. I only get more humbled by seeing the masters work their magic. Much of my knowledge is from reading the guidance of Mr. Wille Sundqvist. By the way….he is 87 years strong and still making bowls and spoons in the cold of Sweden…spoons keep you young! A documentary is in the works…I cannot wait and it is long overdue! See that great news here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/761142325/the-spoon-the-bowl-and-the-knife-craftsman-wille-s

I hope a few of you out there may give this stuff a try and enjoy the journey!

Thanks for reading friends and take care!

Joe http://www.spoonscarver.com/
 
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