Simple spoon carving
Simple or fancy, a hand-carved spoon adds flair to your utensil collection. Spoon carving is something anyone can learn, and it can become a rewarding hobby. With a few simple tools and a few simple cuts, you can be on your way to carving an everyday utensil, a thoughtful gift or your next family heirloom.
Tools Required
Hook Knife
Straight Carving Knife
Materials Required
Wood blank
Meet the Expert
Charlie Eiler has been carving wood since he was six years old, teaching his first carving class at the ripe old age of 14. He’s now a lot older than that.
Step 1: The knives you need
One straight knife
For most of my carving projects, I use a straight knife like this Flexcut roughing knife. How a knife feels in your hand is more important than the brand. If you’re able, try before you buy.
One or two curved knives
For carving spoons, you need curved hook knives. The right-handed knife is pulled toward your body with your right hand or pushed with your left. The left-handed knife works the opposite way. You may want both to work with changes in grain direction.
Step 2: Keep your knife sharp
Woodworking knives aren’t the same as sharpening regular knives. Carvers use a secret weapon to keep their knives sharper longer – a strop.
Make a habit of routinely drawing your blade on the strop as you carve and you won’t have to go to the stone nearly as often.
Pro tip: I use a little oil on my leather strop.