Hand Carving Walnut Spoons

Some alternative techniques for carving wooden spoons.

[@SalvadorDantes]

“I have a band saw and I like using it.” Brilliant. 👌🏻

[@rollingstone3017]

Tom, your videos have inspired me to take this up. Going to get me a couple of gouges ASAP. 😁

[@jodyjohnsen]

It’s so nice to have a wooden spoon with an especially deep bowl. I have just one so I use almost every time I cook. Your walnut spoon is just beautiful. I love ash too.

[@wildbuslife]

Jody, thank you! And come carve a spoon someday!

[@danielmiller2977]

OOOH! This was great! I love that you are willing to use the band saw to save so much time. Thank you for a great video!

[@dannykfoster8176]

What a wonderful piece . Absolutely beautiful. I really enjoyed your video.

[@wildbuslife]

Thank you Danny. I am happy you enjoyed watching, that's why I make the videos! Keep on making!

[@larrywake2459]

That's some beautiful work. I'm just starting on carving. I love wood work. Just a beginner.

[@wildbuslife]

Thank you. That's Great Larry! Its a very rewarding hobby... satisfying and all of a sudden, everyone is going to want one of your spoons!

[@ItsSebBro]

Hi Tom, I saw one of your videos a while back and decided to try and take up spoon carving, I had a few attempts with each one yielding better results. I invested in some scrapers, a whetstone to sharpen my sloyd knife and some sandpaper and mineral and today finished the first spoon that looked similar to yours, I used some american walnut and I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your knowledge, All the best Sebastian

[@wildbuslife]

That's great. It a truly satisfying pastime and people LOVE the spoons!

[@ArcticFlies56]

Sir, you are Master Craftsman. Absolutely magnificent work. Best regards, Richard

[@wildbuslife]

Thank you, Zaitsev!

[@midnight8681]

That hunk of walnut is beautiful. Looks like a mix of milk and dark chocolate.

[@glippernittles]

This was very informative. I am wanting to learn how to carve and whittle, so this helped me get a feel for what I might be getting into. Something to hone my creativity in between the duties of being a new mom !

[@wildbuslife]

Congratulations on being a new MOM! Follow me on Instagram @RitualWoodcraft and see lots of ideas and get so much inspiration from what others are doing at my classes! And when in the LA area, contact me to take a personal class.

[@carsongoodman5581]

You’re a pro n all but safety is important... an extension for your ban-saw table would be awful nice to have:) Great video Sir, work safe👍🏼

[@littlewoodenspoonco]

I love that you take the wood grain into consideration. It's something I feel most people miss yet it's so important!

[@mirlaalvarado2800]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. I started carving spoons a few weeks ago..I love it. You have inspired me. BTW; where dos you get your metal a rapper? Thanks,

[@wildbuslife]

Maria, thank you! If you are asking where I get my metal scrapers, I bought mine off Amazon and you can get a set of them there for about $20. I like the brand Crown, they resharpen well.

[@mirlaalvarado2800]

Thank you so much.

[@franciscomelendez4021]

Hello Tom! Your videos help me deal with my TBI after 5 combat tours. Taking on spoon carving and I find my self involved in the beauty of wood transformation making spoons and carvings. THANKS! Question... Where I can find an scraper as the one you used in the "Hand carving Walnut Spoons". I will like to purchase one from you if possible.

[@wildbuslife]

Francisco, I'm happy you enjoy it and many people have expressed that the experience is cathartic. I, myself find, that the process requires just enough of my concentration so as to draw my attention away from all my troubles and cares! It's a pleasure.You can get the scrapers from Amazon and the ones I last purchased were these: www.amazon.com/Crown-376-Cabinet-Scraper-Gooseneck/dp/B001C06BLE/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=card+scrapers&qid=1594395297&sr=8-12

[@franciscomelendez4021]

@@wildbuslife Thanks so much for the information Tom! Love all your awesome work!!!

[@sebguignard8171]

Hi tom, I'm trying to follow what you made and make my own spoon from american black walnut. american black walnut is very exspensive in the uk, what dimensions for a block would i need to make the spoon you made in this video? many thanks sebastian

[@wildbuslife]

Seb, I most often use the pieces of wood left over from the furniture I build, and they are not of any specific size. That is one reason each spoon I make is unique. I look for the grain inside any particular piece. See my video "Finding The Spoon Inside The Wood" at kzbin.info/www/bejne/i32TgHaDlLSdj5o and I will explain this more thoroughly. That said, I don't know the exact proportions of that particular piece but I look for a selection thick enough to allow me to carve the bowl of the spoon deep while allowing the incline angle against the handle that I desire. Consider the profile of the spoon you want and that will help you visualize what you will need. Looking at the video above as a guide, I think 3 inches wide, by 1 1/2 inches thick by 18 inches long should be enough. Many times, when I am at the lumber yard purchasing wood for a furniture project, I look through their cut-off bin, where they throw the ends that are cut off pieces that their customers buy because they are split, have converging grain or ore otherwise deemed unsuitable. My lumber yard allows me to take these selections for free. That's they beauty of carving wooden spoons, the expense can be mitigated because the difficult grain that makes some pieces of wood inappropriate for furniture or other joinery projects makes the most interesting spoons!

[@sebguignard8171]

Hi tom, thank you for such a comprehensive response! that is some brilliant advice, i'm not sure if many people in england use american walnut for furniture making as it is imported but I will certainly go to a lumber yard and ask if they have an offcut bin that I could have a rifle through. there are no lumberyards in central london unfortunately but when I shall seek to find on and see if they have any offcuts like the ones you mentioned. once again thank you for taking the time to write such a thorough response to my question and for going as far as to even guess the dimensions of the wood your used! many many thanks, I love your videos and the spoons you carve are absolutely gorgeous. cheers seb

[@wildbuslife]

Sorry that I somehow missed your question. Seb, it all depends on the shape of your spoon, the curve of the handle, the depth and angle of the bowl... you probably have figured this all out by now. A 3/4 inch thick piece of stock is enough for a flat utensil, and a dipper or ladel might require a 3 in thick piece or even thicker.

[@gemcollie552]

Beautiful

[@jaychambers669]

can you use these in food, I always herd walnut is harmful to breathe in the dust as you cut, is this true

[@wildbuslife]

Jay, my first response is, if you have a question about safety, find the answer first and so, if I were you, I would research your concern. Google it, find multiple sources and consider the information. Porous woods, like oak have larger pores that can collect oils, food residues and so, they are considered less favorable. But my experience has demonstrated to me that even these porous species work well when properly cared for and are oiled or well seasoned. It's my opinion that most things are safer for our health than plastics. All my life it has been drummed into me that plastics are better, lighter, stronger, safer. Not true. We are now beginning to realize the far-reaching implications of decades of plastics, especially relative to use with food. Wood spoons are light, strong, durable and naturally beautiful. I have no information in my experience that suggests that walnut spoons are harmful for food use. Wood dust is probably all hazardous to inhale as particulate matter in the lungs can cause inflammation at the least and toxicity in certain cases. Wooden utensils have been around since the dawn of utensils. I have yet to find any indication or information that even suggests that there is any health hazard at all from walnut. If you ever have any reason to doubt the safety of any particular species, if I were you, I wouldn't use it. But make an informed choice. The purpose of oiling a spoon is to seal it and protect it, to keep the fibers from drying-out and separating and to keep contaminants out.

[@midnight8681]

breathing in the dust of any treated wood isn't very good for you in the long run. Note I said "treated" wood, there are some pretty strong chemicals used to rid the wood of pests and to keep it from developing mold and fungal growths.

[@carsongoodman5581]

midnight8681 breathing dust of any kind is not good. There’s a lot of airborne dangers working construction and woodworking that you have to be aware of or you can really hurt yourself in the long run. If anything is going into the air, it’s safe to say you want to try your best to not breathe it in

[@cristinateacher154]

Where did you buy the chisel?

[@wildbuslife]

Christina, I purchase most of my tools from Amazon. My gouges and chisels are mostly Pfeil Brand (Swiss Made) as I find that they hold their edges best. The gouges cost about $60 each but, in my opinion, well worth it. They come from Woodcraft, through Amazon.

[@cristinateacher154]

@@wildbuslife, thank you so much for the explanation. Keep doing it because I love it. It´ s great how well you carve.

[@wildbuslife]

@@cristinateacher154 , You are welcome, and thank you. I teach Spoon Carving at Airbnb Experiences, so, if you are ever in LA (SoCal-USA) let me know, I will give you the KZbin Friends Discount (which is very good) Go to AirnbnExperiences goo.gl/Xtymfv You Can Carve A Beautiful Wood Spoon, and you will find my experience. Find me on Instagram (search: RitualWoodcraft) and see what others have made, it is truly inspiring!

[@wildbuslife]

@@cristinateacher154 Come to one of my Spoon Carving Classes and make your own beautiful and functional works of art. Search 'RitualWoodcraft' on Instagram to find me and see lots of pics of what others are making at these classes. The images are full of Ideas and Inspiration. Find me on Airbnb Experiences by searching You Can Carve A Beautiful Wood Spoon! If you are coming from out of town, we can even put you up in an Airbnb room!

[@mehmetturkel7016]

İşçilik güzel fakat o ağaç parçasından 2 adet kaşık çıkabilirdi.

[@renatogarcia6474]

TRABALHO MARAVILHOSO,PARABÉNS!

[@stevannuno6458]

What are those tools called to dig into the head?

[@wildbuslife]

Stevan: Those are a type of chisel known as a 'gouge' and I use a straight and a swept gouge. They are what makes carving the bowl in hardwoods easiest for me. I get mine from Amazon and the brand is Pfiel. They are about $60 USD but worth it. come sharp and ready and the edge last a long time. A good swept gouge size is 7˚/21mm

[@stevannuno6458]

Tom Ford awesome thank you, gonna order that and a scraper!

[@stevannuno6458]

Tom Ford if you have any more tips or suggestions for a beginner I’m all ear and would greatly appreciate it!!

[@САРАТОВ64-ъ8з]

супер !

[@guillaumelaliberte1047]

Crazy/creepy voice

[@chrisc4527]

"Hand carved spoon"? Should have called this "band sawn spoon". Misleading. Especially when there are folk who really hand carve, you know, all by hand with hand tools, and show that, rather than saying " now I am going to hand carve, but I won't waste time showing that....let's skip to the end". 🙄

[@wildbuslife]

Chris, Obviously your time is valuable and I'm sorry you wasted it watching a video that was less than you expected. Still, you had the time to make a derogatory comment. Is that the best way to spend your time? Other videos that I've posted go into more detail and I don't actually have any postings of greenwood carving in my content at this time. Cured, hardwood carving is a quite different from greenwood carving. The difference in tools seems to have upset you because nobody actually carves wood with their bare hands. The distinction you make is between power tools and hand powered tools. I use all sorts of tools, from knives, to chisels/gouges, spokeshaves, saws, scrapers and so on. They are all cutting tools based on the physics of the interaction between wood and wedge. I post videos as educational content and I also teach carving classes. I'm sorry there was nothing for you to learn.

[@aliciawarlick5013]

These spoons are just beautiful Tom! Wooden spoons always remind me of my grandma and grandpa, and how I ways admired a pair they had on their kitchen wall! They were at least two feet, maybe almost three feet long and the bowl of the spoon was at least five inches wide! I lost both my grandparents by the time I was nineteen years old! I miss them still today, even though they have been gone more than thirty years now!i have a small wooden spoon and fork hanging in my kitchen to keep their memory alive!

[@wildbuslife]

Alicia, when in the LA area, contact me and come take a spoon carving class and make your own spoons to commemorate your grandparents, even larger and more beautiful! Follow me on Instagram @RitualWoodcraft to see what others who have taken the class have made. It is inspiring and informative, they have created beautiful, functional art!

[@CAkavskaTvKvarner]

Beautifull spoone, great work!

[@benlikebike]

I love your attitude about the "interesting" grains! I've found my newest hobby to be salvaging cutoffs from a fancy slab furniture shop near me to make the cheapest high quality spoons and cookware. Most if what I get is kiln dried and the stuff furniture makers just hate, but I love its twisty wave lacy grains.

[@wildbuslife]

This is absolutely the way to get highly figured wood and make the most beautiful wooden utensils. Bravo. I build custom furniture and a lot of it in walnut which is known for twisted and tormented grain patterns which are not usually acceptable for building stable furniture and are sent to the cut-offs pile. At my shop as well, they end up primarily as spoons!

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Nice work and information. Thanks and take care.

[@wildbuslife]

Thank you Quinn!

[@kennetik61]

Beautiful vision to bring the spoon out of a chunk of cut off! For me it’s about the woods direction

[@wildbuslife]

Kenn, thanks again and you are so right, the wood knows all you need! All we have to do is listen!

[@antoinetpastoor608]

this spoon! so beautiful and your voiceover is also just art, you are quite the poet ! thank you for this

[@wildbuslife]

Thank you! When you visit the Los Angeles area come and make a spoon with me!

[@davidcrandell1172]

Amazing video Tom, thanks for posting.

[@markharris5771]

As a disabled woodworker, although I’d love to use all hand-tools, it isn’t realistic for me. It is really refreshing to see someone who says it’s OK to use a bandsaw. A great video and a gorgeous spoon, thank you very much.

[@wildbuslife]

Mark, thank you and I never allow others dampen my willingness to try any tool or method as I exercise my creative nature because I feel it is the creativity and the creating that is paramount and how I get there doesn't matter because it's what I'm doing for myself and my own expression. When I transitioned from traditional illustration and airbrush into digital media I caught a lot of flack from people that insisted 'that wasn't art' simply because I embraced a different tool. I never let it bother me because the essence of what I do comes from the inspirations that make it into my mind, body and soul and are then expressed, by whatever means.

[@Christopher-pf8qt]

Mark Harris hey mark, you absolutely should use whatever works for you!

[@borisyoalkstein2484]

Nice video Tom, you’ll get a better finish if you go with the grain when carving the bowl, you don’t even need sandpaper, it’s actually smoother than sandpaper just using the knife

[@ukewig]

Well done...thanks!

[@wildbuslife]

Thank you, Jim.

[@gdhiker]

Nature's riches continue to stay beautiful if altered by an artist. And you sir are definitely an artist! Great organic shape and flow. Im glad there are others out there that can feel the enjoyment of not going into every session with a blueprint for their preconceived project, but to let the media your working with assist in the end result. Your skill and your love for being creative shows. Thank you for your video...subscribing now.

[@wildbuslife]

We are most productive when we work with nature and we are most destructive when we fight against it. If you ever come to LA, CA, let me know and you are invited to attend a personal spoon carving experience.

[@gdhiker]

@@wildbuslife Very kind of you sir. Thank you very much. I actually live in Big Bear. If I ever get down your way I would be honored.

[@adamstanwick1487]

Beautiful!..thankyou

[@Idoitfortheskonkas]

Beautiful video. Thank you sir. You are a true artist

[@posholo6]

i loved your last comments on the video. upcycling is sexy. I want to buy tools now and try it by myself.

[@vancamerawoman7399]

Wonderful tutorial. Where to get that nifty scraper?

[@ScootersAdventure]

That black Walnut is beautiful my grandfather loved working with that

[@clytnvgl]

Wooden hand-carved spoons are the equivalent to forged metal leaves

[@Puddlegrapher]

Beautiful.

[@lindamurphy7730]

Amazing

[@wildbuslife]

Thank you Linda! You know, artists make the world a better place! Come over and make a spoon one day.

[@lindamurphy7730]

@@wildbuslife I’m working on one right now 😀

[@mikezimmer6354]

Can you provide brand names and size of gouges used in spoon making?

[@ScootersAdventure]

Beautiful work! Absolutely beautiful thanks for sharing

[@bogus_not_me]

Is walnut of any variety food grade when done, or more ornamental? Seems some varieties of wood have natural oils that are not good for use with food. I have a fairly large block of walnut I could use. What food grade finish do you use?

[@wildbuslife]

Carl, I can't speak to all woods but luckily the internet is full of specific answers. Interestingly enough, I use walnut oil or Mineral oil as the food-grade oils to protect my spoons. Have also used coconut oil and, with age and USE, the foods will also help to season a spoon. In my experience, they are easy to care for and very practical.

[@estelamotta1280]

Parabéns pelo trabalho 🎊🎊

[@wildbuslife]

Obrigado!

[@rogertyler3237]

Is That Black Walnut?

[@joeladams6566]

Thank you for sharing your talents

[@dangolfishin]

Beautiful work! Wondering how much time went into the first spoon?

[@wildbuslife]

My first spoon took about 4 hours and that's what my classes are (4 hrs). Most people, even those without ANY prior woodworking experience, carve BEAUTIFUL spoons in 4 hours. I have gotten it down to 2 hours for difficult projects (ladles, sporks, etc) and as low as 1 hour for simple spoons. But the attention to detail is what sets them apart and that takes time. I am always experimenting with new challenges.

[@worldclassish]

Nice work man thank you. I appreciate the degree of safety in your approach.

[@khomol]

Beautiful

[@maguzMTB]

Thanks for you videos they are great and what you do ! I want to start doing this but I don't know where can I buy the tools . Please can you give me your advice.

[@wildbuslife]

Mario: I purchased most of my new tools on Amazon, and many of the old tools at garage and estate sales.When purchasing new, I have learned to spend a little more up front, opt for quality and get a better tool that will hold its edge and last a long time.

[@wildbuslife]

I have ordered all my tools on Amazon and that has worked for me. I like Swiss Steel chisels and gouges, the cutting edges sharpen well and hold their edge.

[@MrBAchompBAchomp]

Amazon is great but if you have a woodcraft store near you go check it out

[@cvcoco]

Nice work. I love carving and have been on the purist route a long time. Im tired. My hands ache. My brain aches and im out of time. I have to get it done. Im not shopping for knives anymore, only power tools!

[@hillboy6557]

nice art thank u

[@woodwoman9130]

Beautiful!

[@nicholebacon577]

4:25 hot glue gun sides of blank back to scrap top, follow original top drawing with band saw... so much easier

[@刘海-w6u]

beautiful

[@wildbuslife]

Thank you.

[@MsJhonruiz]

Podrías decirme que le aplicas a la cuchara gracias

[@foshoucitron4595]

walnut oil, coconut oil or Mineral oil

[@reymundofemat4576]

Se pudo haber hecho algo mas bello con esa madera exotica que unas simples cucharas.

[@jonasjo202]

very beutiful spoon

[@dennisleadbetter7721]

Beautiful timber and two beautiful spoons.

[@ItsSebBro]

Hi tom, I ended up making a spoon from walnut, i cut it and carved it however now i have a problem - I want to sand its shape however when i start to sand it it looks really rough, the surface is all puckered and it doesn't look good. any tips? seb

[@wildbuslife]

Sebastian Tindall, yes Sebastian, are usually begin with something on the order of 60 or 80 grit and then go all the way to a minimum of 320 grit for a finer finish. Walnut is dance with very fine grain and will send the beautifully to 600 grit and feel like lights when you’re finished. What you might want to do when you get to about 320 grit is to briefly surface spoon in water and the green will live and feather slightly. Then, you can begin again to send it with the 320 and move on to finer and finer prints as far as you want to go and it will be absolutely beautiful. When you have it as smooth as you like, an oil finish will preserve it.

[@danielmiller2977]

Hi This is a great question. something important to remember is that wood grain direction is sometimes just as important in sanding as it is in cutting. always try to avoid sanding into the grain, but sand away from. does that make sense? and sometimes it helps to use something ridged like a sanding block which is harder than your hand and removes more material. I hope this helps.

[@wildbuslife]

I'm not certain I have any experience with what you are trying to describe to me. with walnut, I begin with a 60 grit and sand progressively to 80, 100, 120, 220, 340, 400 and 600 grit that gives the utensil an almost glass like smoothness. With use and moisture the fibers can rise on the exposed surfaces over time and the wood may tent to feel, 'fuzzy'. This can be corrected with another light sanding at a fine grit and then protecting the wood with an oil.

[@stephensmith3184]

In my experience even with dry Hardwoods I prefer to soak it in water prior to sanding which will rough it up and after drying will tighten up after that go to higher and higher Grit

[@jakesheffield5368]

A true artist Tom. I loved the organic way you allowed the project to evolve. This for me is always a key note in my projects... you've also a beatiful voice for making videos. You even had my wife listening in. Thanks :)

[@wildbuslife]

Jake, Thank you! I don't know what part of the world you call home (I am in LA, CA) but I just started teaching personal 'Hands-on' classes through Airbnb Experiences. Right now, prices are 65% off. So if you are near, or ever in the LA area, you ought to sign-on for a class and create a couple of beautiful 'Grain Carved' spoons of your own. Simply search 'You Can Carve A Beautiful Wood Spoon' on Airbnb Experiences. Who knows, some day the three of us may be making spoons together!

[@wildbuslife]

And you can follow me on Instagram by searching 'Ritual Woodcraft' and see lots of spoons and other utensils for ideas and inspiration.

[@boriserjavec6470]

God created nature :)

[@TylerAFE]

I’d love for someone to respond and tell me the name of those chisels he’s using to make the bowl of the spoon. I see them on KZbin but I live in a rural area where the nearest Lowe’s is 40 miles. I have to order these things online.

[@wildbuslife]

The types of chisels I use to carve the bowls of spoons in hard wood are 'gouges' and the brand I like is Pfiel, a Swiss manufacturer. They usually come sharp, finely honed and ready to use. What's more is, I find that the steel holds an edge very well and they stay sharp longer than my other chisels and gouges. I have spent a lot of money and tried a lot of brands and so far, I like these the best. I get mine from Amazon, and they are usually shipped by WoodCraft thru Amazon. Their price is about $60 each. Recently I have purchased two that came to me without professionally ground or sharpened edges and I had to return them. WoodCraft handled the return and replacement quickly and at no cost to me. A friend just purchased a Gouge from them at my recommendation and it came sharp, but noe ground straight. I don't know what's going on with quality control at Pfeil? But they are still the best I have used when they are right. I like a swept or sweep gouge, with a curved and beveled edge and a swept blade. If you are going to purchase just one, I recommend the PFEIL"Swiss Made" 25mm # 7 Sweep Bent Gouge.

[@carsongoodman5581]

tylerplaysthedrums I LOVE ORDERING TOOLS ONLINE. It’s like Christmas waiting for them to come in. Honestly I buy more tools online than in Lowe’s and I can almost never leave Lowe’s without getting something new that I haven’t used😂😂