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#1 ·
A handful of carving tools - for spoons, mugs and so.

A handful of carving tools
for spoons, mugs and so.

Since my workshop is closed for restore I am really low on tools now.
But:


My wonderful friend Jamie send me a fine spoon plane and I just got a new little palm gouge, since I left my sweet hand forged one on the car roof and drove home one day…
Also I had an axe and a spoon knife in the basement here, so now I will actually be able to do a little green woodworking.


A handful of tools, knifes I have a bunch here (all self made), all sizes, here my favourite chopper.


Sheets: all cutting tools need protection, knife have its sheet, the new little gouge came with a fine leather one, cycle tyre and a hair band for the others, works really fine.


I like to change between a gouge and a spoon knife, then its not so hard on the arm and hand.
Now we will see where the new boy in town fits in.
(I'm retired due to a neck operation, that have left me with chronic pain in neck and arms).


Big smile!


I also bought me another sharpening stone.
A small pocket version I saw at Jamies place and fell in love with.
It's really cool for the tour.
This diamond side is for the rough.


And this side to finish up.
Both sides are used dry.
(Even I spit on the stone out of habits and this keeps me laughing at my self).


And it comes in a fine little pocket holster.
I can highly recommend this little fellow.


Made some fresh staves so I could try the new spoon plane, it really takes some wood and seems really most like a sculpture tool.
Think it will take some larger projects like bowls, before it really gets useful.


The hand gouge can really dig out some wood fast and precise.


The spoon knife can when used right really leave a fantastic finish.

When I look at the blog now, I see it's more a look how lucky I am post, but I guess that's fine for once.
The truth is I feel happy and lucky.
In my mug carving: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/89610 post I tell a little more.

I'll try to leave some useful links, even we have so much good stuff here on LJ:

The Spoon Carving Website:
http://www.spooncarving.org.uk/page7/page19/page19.html

Woodworker HKL:
http://www.woodworkerhowardlobb.com/works-in-process.html

Nashville guitar maker:
http://www.bobsyouruncle.net/TNM_Guitars/Mike%20Brown/sn011_mike_brown2.htm

Video:


Woodcraft:
http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2004867/7518/carvers-spoon-plane.aspx

Finetools:
http://www.fine-tools.com/eschab.htm

The best of my thoughts,
Mads
 
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1 11
#2 ·
Neat tools, Mads!

I have been thinking of making a mini knife spoon similar to the design you have. I hope it will work and I can temper the metal so it will keep an edge.
 
#3 ·
Mads there is always a tool kit :)
I always have my knifes & a saw in my wheelchair undercarriage
Never stuck if you have tools

Jamie
 
#8 ·
Lew, the spoon knifes are a gem, so go for it, otherwise you can buy them quite cheap from Mora.
Jamie, yes I saw that little cool tool pack on your wheel chair and love it! I usually have a bunch in the car, as well as a hammock and other stuff I cant live without…
Tim, a new one for me too, think it's a winner for shaping, but time will tell.
Topa, what a wonderful word Treen, never heard it before. No I just play around as always, I want to try it all, to explore, learn, love live. ;-)
Mike, I was thinking I could bring the tools to the shop when I get back in and then sit on a chair in front of the fire making some shaves, while I wait for my stuff to come back in the new year.
Ken, Smiles.
Thank you guys, just a happy boy here making treen,
Mads
 
#9 ·
Honing stick - field honing and stropping for spoon knifes

Honing stick
field honing and stropping for spoon knifes

First little project in the shop after it's reopening.


Made this little drawing in my sketchbook last year and decided it was a good little get 'started project'.


So a piece of a old broomstick.


Run through the table saw a little over the center.


Making for the slice.


Ripping down half way.


Finishing the cut.


That's a stick with a slice…


Making a groove for a O-ring.


Here the O-ring, and you can see the sandpaper wrapped around the stick.


Now holding it together.


Cut a piece of leather for a strop.


Contact glue on both leather and stick.


Waiting 20 minutes… Time for the pipe and a cold beer.


Tataaaaaa!
We got a stick.


Before loading the strop, I give it a few drops of Camellia oil.


Loading the strop with compound.
The oil helps to hold the compound and bring a little rust prevention.


So now I can stay sharp, even when I'm out the shop.

Hope this little blog can inspire others; to keep their tools sharp on the go.

Best thoughts,
Mads
 
#23 ·
Spoon knife leather sheaths.

Spoon knife leather sheaths
I know it's not made of wood - lol.

Since I care for my tools and the spoon knifes when useful are razor sharp, I thought it would be wise to make them some sheaths, to replace the rubber once I made from bicycle tire tube (they did not stand the sharp edge and were not sexy at all - lol). After browsing the web a little, I found a type I liked and the rest was as they say at Nike: 'just do it' or Sinatra:


As many of my projects this one started with a sketch, in this way I set my thoughts straight or at least try to.


Here the knifes, a one sided pointed and a two sided flat.
So the sheaths have to work for both.
They are btw. just plain Mora / Frost of Sweden knifes.


So first I choose some leather, I like a quite stiff one for sheaths.
Used this to take the measures and mark out where I wanted the closing straps to be placed.


This could then be transformed into a work drawing.


Like this.
(It's not in scale here).


Made a copy by folding the paper and draw over, then cut them out.
I had only needed to fold and cut… Guess I am getting a wee bit rusty.


So placed on the leather - be sure to face right side down.
Then cut.


Cut out.


With a leather plane I make the leather thinner at the middle.
(Not needed).


Just more easy to bend.


Just for fun I stamped an old woodworkers mark into the leather.


My name is Felding and fell over this old Gooding long time ago and never used it.
Just thought it had a funny ring to it that matched my family name.
Enough fooling MaFe.


Trimming the edges.
Just a straight cut, nothing fancy now…


Bend to curve.
Give it a good massage.


Now I made a little loop of leather, which fit inside the sheath.
Then pressed a hole close to the end.


And while the sheath is bend also a hole in the end of the sheath.


Then one of these little screw together leather things…
There are many ways here, you could also sew it or rivet, this was just fast and good looking.


Works like this.


Get the picture!


With the knife in place, you can now markup how long the strap and where the closure should be.


Center also.


Trim for X factor and for not having too much hanging around.


Punch holes in sheath.


Now Chicago studs or whatever they are called.


In place.


When they are in place it is possible to find the right spot for strap holes.
Punch it baby!


And make a cut like this, important to do it on the right side.
It helps the stud to slide easy in and keeps it locked.


We got sheaths!


Two.


Finish!
Not the end, but finish.
Leather needs care.
Metal needs protection.
Grease for the leather and then I put some Japanese Camellia oil on the inside also to help protect the metal.


So here before and after grease.
Jamie you might see something you know here also… Made a simple sheath for that one too, thanks. ;-)


Here they are, as a pair, now you see why I made the little loop. ;-)
I'm quite happy with the result.
Bet the knifes are happy too, now they stay sharp and make no damage.


Hmmmmmm guess I have to visit nature soon….

Here link for a honing stick I made for the knifes: http://lumberjocks.com/mafe/blog/39628
And for a few of the knifes I made, among them the one on the photo: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/29956
Finally for a full knife making tutorial: http://www.felding.net/7knifemaking5.html

Hope it can inspire to give care to your tools, most of all to stay sharp.

The best of my thoughts,
Mads
 
#51 ·
Old hand forged spoon knife - this one gets a new wooden handle....

Old hand forged spoon knife
this one gets a new wooden handle…

Yea yea yea, I'm hopeless.

In the beginning of this summer I was out sailing in my kayak - yes I was sailing, not rowing…
At the habour I meet a really nice man Henning, he invited me for a coffe and told me he had some old tools he would like to offer me. Months went by and finally I managed to make the visit last week.



This is the kayak, when it's all rigged up for sailing.
(I managed 5,1 knots this summer, that is great fun in a small vessel like this).



Henning gave me a bucket full of old tools, sadly they had been out and was filled with water and the planes were full of wood beetles, so they can't all be saved.



A little side story…
When I was driving up there on the country road in my car, right after a overtaking, a buzzard was flying in from the side, for a hundred meters or so we were looking into each others eyes - the bird stayed in this height and hit the wind shield with a giant BANG - I closed my eyes since I was convinced the window would break, but nothing happened except the mirror fell down and I was a bit shocked.
(Since there were traffic I could not stop to see what happened to the bird).
I am still trying to find the meaning…
(To see your image killing a developed eagle signifies that you will achieve your goals with hook or crook. It also suggests that you will not allow anyone to instill conspiracies to prevent you from getting what you have desired. In short such dreams signify that you will overcome every obstacle and will reach your highest goal).
Hmmmmmmmmmmm

Ok, back on track MaFe, we are actually supposed to see a spoon knife!



So this is the guy we are talking about.
Or was supposed to talk about…



Circular centered cut with bevels on both sides and inside out.
The truth is I think it is a clog makes knife, since Henning had a few tools that I believe was the clog makes.


So first a little destruction, the old poor quality pine handle had to go.
It indicates that the tool has been used by a common worker, when it was in use.
A sweet thank you to my friend Jim for this wonderful mallet, he turned for me and send all the way to Denmark, I use it often and always send you a warm thought.


This is what is left, to some a piece of scrap metal.
To others a piece of history and a tool, just waiting to get life back.


So on to the lathe, finding a good shape.
I use some quite hard wood, a piece of scrap, the pole of a old parasol.


When the shape is there, I give it rings.
This to make a good grip.
Not too fine a finish, this will also make the grip better and it is a tool.


Then a little color and finally my favorite antique wax.


So - a handle is born.


Drilling.


Now I make the iron red hot under a flame, but just the tang, make sure the cutting edge and end gets no heat or it will get dull.


And burn it into the handle.


I stick it in water after and leave it to dry.


All thats left now is sharpening and we are ready to go.


Another child in the tool family.

Thank you Henning.

Hope it can inspire others to bring life to old tools.

The best of my thoughts,
Mads
 
#68 ·
Spoon knife or scorp leather sheaths another version

Spoon knife or scorp leather sheaths another version
As seen on the web

Sometimes we see something that makes us say; 'Why did I not think of this' !

These sheaths are for spoon knifes with half circle or more in curve, or for your scorps, but can be used for many other tools also.
I love the idea because it's so simple and easy to make.


The last blog in tis series was me showing the old spoon knife with it's new handle.
Now it's time to make it a sheath.


The idea is simple a fold around the blade type sheath.
So first I made a template out of paper just folding the paper around it and with a pen drawing the cut lines.
The cut the paper out and test this on the tool and finally cut it out in a piece of leather.
You will understand more later.


Then wrap around the blade and mark where you want the button.
I would put it a wee closer to the center next time…


Then mount the screw back button.


Make a hole in the other side a wee smaller than the button.


Finally make a small cut like this for opening.


Place your tool on top.


Fold top flap down.


Fold screwback button flap over.


Finally close it up.
That's really clever, I admire who ever thought this out.
Now the knife will stay sharp when brought outside the workshop.

Hope it can inspire to give protection to your tools, most of all to stay sharp.

The best of my thoughts,
Mads
 
#86 ·
Carving knifes from old plane iron - spoon knife from jig saw blade

Carving knifes from old plane iron
spoon knife from jig saw blade

With a soft spot for tool making and beauty, I decided it was time to make my own carving knifes, found a wonderful old Chinese hand forged plane iron in a drawer of junk in my workshop and decided to give it a go.


This is what we will end up with, two carving knifes and a long blade spoon knife.
(This sketch was made after they had come to life).


Started up with no real plan, just that I wanted two blades, one flat and one curved cutting edge.
Made a rough sketch on the blade and Just went on with a Dremmel cutter.


Here you see the drawing clearly.


Curved blade is roughly there.


On the sander it got a bevel, just roughly there, free hand and spirit. ;-)
Remember to dip in cold water often so you don't burn the metal and destroy the hardening.


I think this is fine.
Love the hand forged finish on the iron.


Both blades are shaped now.


For handles I find some scrap.
A piece of old furniture and a wonderful piece of flamed birch.
Both gifts from my friend Flemming, thanks.


I never did the two half version of a handle, so this will be tested here, just to see if it's quick and the result are fair. So the wood are cut in half, one part the thickness of the blade wider.


Sketching where the blade will be.


Then the shape I want.


Next step is to inlay the blade into the thicker half of the handle.
This takes no time, so yes this is a quick way of making a tool knife.


Blade in place.


Same for the other one.


Sharp chisels and a holdfast make it a joy.


As I was working on the knifes I got the idea to see if I could make a spoon knife from a jig saw blade.
So the teeth's were sanded of, bevel formed and I try gently to shape the blade here.
It was possible and it held it's flex really well after.


New wood, this time from my Norwegian uncle Terje, thanks, he brought me different wood pieces and some iron on his last visit in Denmark.


Two half's again.


Blade fitted in.


Before gluing the blades get some rough edges, like this the glue will have places to stick.


Both sides.


Time to mix some epoxy.


The full side.


Used the 5 min. version so I had to be fast, usually don't use this for knifes.


Strong clamps lots of pressure.


Ohhh yes the blade have to go in.


And glue on top of it.


Again clamps and pressure.
Left them for an hour, just to be sure.


Can you handle this?
Ok no bad jokes MaFe, just move on.


Rough cutting on the band saw.


Lovely piece of wood, the sap wood makes a beautiful contrast.


Now the sides are also rough cut.


Like this the shaping and sanding will take less effort.


New knife, same song.


Sweet, I kind of like the slim curve here.


Marking the center and then the side curves.


Ok we will leave it with that…


Sanding on the spindle sander, this is a wonderful intuitive tool when used for this free hand shaping.


Some details just for pleasure.


Fishy?
Here they are before the sanding.
In fact we could stop here, they are tools after all, but…
So a light sanding, not trying to get rid of the dings and marks, I like this on a tool, like it is born with a life of it's own.


Raw linseed oil in a jar.


Leaving them there overnight.
Then wipe of the oil and give it a wee wax.


We got knifes.


That's what it's all about, a knife that is perfectly fitted to your hand.


Yeps perfect grip for those small details.


The little fishy experiment also seems to be possible, now I can make whatever size I need when I need it.
(Actually I am soon going on a forging class so I will be able to go to next level, but I do love to make tools of what's at hand and that everyone can do after, it does have a special charm).


The end.
(Another small blog might follow up on the spoon and fork).

Hope it can inspire, perhaps even make some old blades get a new life.

The best of my thoughts,
Mads
 
#104 ·
Wood cup / Kuksa - or just a wonderful way to drink a cappuccino in nature...

Wood cup / Kuksa
or just a wonderful way to drink a cappuccino in nature…

After a walk in the forest with Filiz I came home with some wood…
Just could not resist since I just worked on my carving tools.
So it was time to put some of these tools to work.


I had no plan for the green wood when I brought it home, but I realized that this one had the size to become a fine little cup, so I cut the wood up for this one.
Last time I made a cup I was in Scotland: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/89610
(As you can see behind I also work on some spoons).


Was considering to use a hand drill for the initial hollow out, but thought it would be more fun to test different hollow out methods.


First the gouge and some good tobacco.


It is quick and easy with a fair weight mallet.


Also easy to control direction.


So I finish the rough shape with this method.
Quick and clean.


Then a dogleg gouge for thaping the lowest part.


And finally spoon knifes, nice and sharp to finish up the shape.
I do like these knifes, they cut like a knife in butter.


I use a band saw to help me up a little.


Rough shaping the outside.
The rest of the shaping was done by hand with knifes and a sharp chisel, was so much into the process that I forgot to take pictures. ;-)


Then I worked the bowl with scrapers, like this I could get a wonderful surface on the inside.


I do like scrapers and like to have sizes that fit the job.


A few spots was taken with sandpaper, some of the hollow spots was not easy to reach with the scrapers.
Here you also see the two new knifes I just made and brought to the test, they worked like a dream, sharp and holding the edge.


We gut a cup!


Since the wood were drying out relatively fast I decided to soak it 24 hours in raw linseed oil to prevent it from cracking. It would have been better if I had the patience to wait with the outside until the wood was dry I guess.


Do love the linseed oil.


Next day I decided to polish it up to make it more waterproof, don't know if it was needed but I did it.


It did look like it makes the surface more dense and at least it makes it even more beautiful.


The outside also get a wee polish, this just for the joy and to make it more easy to clean.


Some bees wax and I think it must be enough.
(Before using the cup I will clean it in hot water, so I don't get all that in my coffee.


Yes I am happy, perfect size for coffee.
Especially I look forward to a field espresso: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/40855


Smiles.


So I put my brand on it.


Not perfect, but full of life, just like I try to be my self.


Perhaps I will rework the handle, think it will look beautiful if I can make it into a ring shape, but this will be when sitting in nature.


Time to test it after a good cleaning.
Coffee time.


Wauuu that is wonderful, drinking coffee from a self made cup, the wood against the lips are like silk.
Yes I can recommend every one make them self a cup, I had a wonderful time and will now have a unique pleasure drinking coffee when enjoying the beauty of nature.

Hope it can inspire, who knows, perhaps a few cups.

The best of my thoughts,
Mads
 
#117 ·
Carving tool edge protection - so simple it takes only one picture.

Carving tool sheath
so simple it takes only one picture.

This is a one picture blog, that's really all it takes.
I have been doing a lot of thinking on how to make sheaths for my carving tools, made different versions and all of them take time to make and none of them works with all shapes.
The other day working with my tools I got this simple idea.


Yes it's not a joke.
Just find some soft leather, cut a triangle shape that ends in a string shape.
Wrap the tool and let the end lock it self into the leather.
Really this is all you need and will work on all kinds of tools, knifes, gouges, chisels and so on.
It takes no time to open and no time to wrap up.
You can see a unwrapped leather in the middle, where I made a fold for a chisel before wrapping it.

Hope it can inspire, or at least keep tools sharp.

The best of my thoughts,
Mads
 
#126 ·
Sharpening on the go - small tin of what you need.

Sharpening on the go
small tin of what you need.

I like to bring this small tin when I leave the workshop with sharp tools.
More precise when I bring carving tools and a knifes on the go.
It just joined me for a travel in Turkey and will again this summer.


Yeps nothing fancy, just a a small mint tin.
Here next to a Turkish pocket knife.


Now open, you will be surprised how much a small tin can hold.
What you see here are a flat and a round leather strap for honing.


Finger protector (in lid), wax, honing compound, cloth, sharpening stone (two sided).


Small files, iron saw piece, sharpening stone black and white one side round.
Scrapers flat and round, sandpaper grid 120-2500, drill piece for making a bur on scrapers, small knifes.


All of it.
With this kit you can sharpen most tools and make a finish on small projects.
It's just what you need for a spoon carving set.

Hope it can inspire, or at least keep some tools sharp.

The best of my thoughts,
Mads
 
#127 ·
Very interesting…

I guess I will have to look for stuff that comes in those nice little tin cans! :)

Thank you…
 
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