How to Carve a Spoon - Step By Step Beginner Wood Carving Guide

[@CarvingisFun]

What you will need: Spoon Blank of preferred wood Your preferred rouging knife (sharpened) Your preferred hook knife (sharpened) Protective gloves and/or finger guards Knifes used: OCC 1 - 7/8 roughing knife OCC #7 scoop knife Purchase at TreelineUSA - bit.ly/31Nbw82 Recommended tools with links to Amazon and Ebay: Beavercraft Spoon Carving Set (affordable beginner kit) amzn.to/3FEkIOe Flexcut Spoon Jack (folding spoon knife) amzn.to/3FLkbtH | ebay.to/2IHQ7HE Links to Amazon and Etsy for spoon blanks: amzn.to/3l3R0KH | tidd.ly/3c9rTkm Links to Amazon, Etsy, and Ebay above are affiliate links, for more information click here: carvingisfun.com/affiliate-link-disclosure/ If you want to give me a gift as a thank you, you can send me some Pokemon cards! I've been collecting them since they came out and always enjoy getting new cards! You can use my Amazon Wish List to send me a booster pack or two :) www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1ZTOOLYLZ7C48

[@caseygutke3968]

What is the wood block dimensions?

[@pendularnuncius2618]

I've watched a lot of these videos as someone who has really never even thought about trying this. One just popped up, and now I'm here considering trying this hobby out.

[@baronnecas2880]

Algorithm brainwashing man, I thought it was just me but the reddit is full of other people in the exact same boat as us 😂

[@pendularnuncius2618]

@@baronnecas2880 I'm fully willing to let youtube to convince me to get a hobby. Maybe I'll spend more time outside, whittling, instead of in online arguments.

[@Mazurecki56]

I've been watching some of these videos and my Beaver Craft wood carving kit is already on its way! Bought the DYI01 kit with 2 wood blocks, a knife, bird template, finger protection tape, sharpening supplies, and sandpaper. Additionally I bought a pair of cut resistant gloves for protection, and a Victorinox swiss army knife Camper model with a wood saw (just in case because frankly, I've never owned a pocket knife, just x-acto knives for modelling and diorama making).

[@briandonaldson7357]

Give it a shot, I love carving

[@jtyree0226]

@@pendularnuncius2618 online arguments are the best part of social media though 😆

[@lespaul36]

I like how you treat a situation. Reminds me of "Happy little accidents" from Bob Ross. I tried carving a long time ago, but got frustrated and quit. I decided to try it again so I have been watching your videos. With learning about restoring straight razors, your vids about how those blade angles being about as shallow as a straight razor, being wiser about woods to use, and starting slow this time, I think I may stand a chance LOL. Thanks for the content, besides it being informative, it is relaxing to watch.

[@CarvingisFun]

You're welcome! Being patient with yourself while doing any subtractive carving is important. I had to learn this when I started stone carving as some of the happy little accidents were due to imperfections in the stone. Im glad you are enjoying the videos and getting back into whittling!

[@susanp.collins7834]

Best of luck!

[@chrisncarries2182]

Just carved my first spoon a few days ago- now I have 6 spoons and 2 forks!!!! I'm hooked!

[@trouble6043]

This is why I want to learn this stuff. Every woodworking piece has a story, the imperfections are what make carving beautiful.

[@granolagirl795]

As a beginner, I’m happy to see how you fixed the blowout. Sometimes things like that just happen.

[@TiredBeagle]

My grandpa and I used to whittle together when I was much younger, so glad this popped up, I’m thinking of getting back into it!

[@McDorkify]

Thanks for showing us in full when the wood split and how you fixed it!

[@CarvingisFun]

You're welcome!

[@TMBfan]

I really hope that your channel blows up one day. This is a very informative and entertaining video.

[@CarvingisFun]

Thank you!

[@baronnecas2880]

It seems to be blessed by the algorithm now

[@sethblaylock3330]

@@CarvingisFun would an exacto knife work for this because I can't get an actual set just quite yet. Or and whittling for that point

[@CarvingisFun]

Seth, as long as you can get a solid hold of the handle and the blade wont come loose you should be fine. Exacto blades are also typically brittle so keep an eyen on that too. You can also use razor knives like this one here kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKfLpX2BmNWDqq8

[@sethblaylock3330]

@@CarvingisFun ty very much 😁

[@HandyHelons]

Watching you keep your cool when it split was a real inspiration. Thank you for keeping it in the final ‘cut’ 😏

[@cookieboss904]

As a swedish person i love it when i see peaplo use slöjd/sloyd knives and the diffrent ways they call it. Your way to say it is actualy very good.

[@DarkyCookie]

The straight knife looks exactly like my morakniv, collected some branches last summer that I wittled down to butterknives during winter. Perfect little side hobby to not think about the lack of sunlight, hah

[@jacobbenavidez9096]

I just got my kit in a couple days ago. Been watching plenty of videos, this is ine of the best ones. I will be starting my project tonight.

[@wtfbehindyou1892]

How did it turn out?

[@marciaguy10899]

You remind me of Bob Ross, “Ope, blew out the wall there. That’s fine … we’ll just have a shallower spoon, that’s just fine” “sometimes this happens” almost expected some happy little trees to come up 😆❤️

[@user-vj1jy9lo1d]

He makes it look so easy because i tried it and its harder than it looks but good tutorial i learned alot thanks!

[@RondaWitt-ey9wl]

I've decided to stay in my cabin this winter. I think I just found a new hobby.

[@rodneystevens1]

Been watching a few of your videos and I ordered a kit myself because of it! I've always been interested into this sorta stuff, so I hope my first spoon will turn out well! Great content!

[@bread4776]

How did the spoon turn out?

[@metroid_gauntlet]

i'm now heavily considering taking up this hobby! as someone who loves to work with their hands i'm so glad i found your channel! thank you for the content you provide

[@tantheasianman5841]

How convenience! I got a spoon carving kit on Christmas and a couple days later you uploaded this!

[@CarvingisFun]

It was just meant to be!

[@MooseyMTB]

Dude I got one to!

[@CarvingisFun]

Nice!!

[@jaidynjesse55]

Such a great, informative video man! Every single tiny detail was shown. What to do and what not to do and how to fix the not to do’s. Just all round sweet job! Nicely does it. 😎👍🏼

[@CarvingisFun]

Thank you!! One can learn a lot from their mistakes.

[@Ezikeal]

This is the first of you video's I've watched, then I filled out your questionnaire, my answers will be different after I've watch more of them. Very understandable explanations, enjoyable to listen and watch, actually your one of the better ones IMHO.

[@CarvingisFun]

Thank you!

[@lotus78]

followed, so thankful for the slow guide, very simple to understand, very good to follow. Thanks a LOT.

[@davidroberts2747]

This tutorial is very helpful, I have already made fifty of these since watching this video last month

[@landomilknhoney]

Wow! 50?! That's great! Good job Can't wait to make one.😂 How do you engrave them?

[@jeffwhitehead7990]

eating with a well sized and well finished wooden spoon is an under appreciated delight. A wooden spoon is temperature stable with both hot and cold foods which is very mouth friendly.

[@richardfenngriffin2406]

Great to see an accident on a video and then how you solve it. That's where of us are. Now I won't through my tools on the floor and say 'that's it, I'm never carving again!'

[@joanneg7646]

Thank you for passing o your knowledge you make it look easy

[@terrygwilson9628]

Great video, as all of your videos. I love every part of your presentation. Thank you.

[@martins.5977]

Nice tutorial. Thanks. Stay save and healthy.

[@CarvingisFun]

Thank you! Doing our best over here to stay safe, hope you are staying healthy too to start off the new year!

[@stephenwhittier6439]

👍🤗😎 hope all of the prizes go to new carvers !

[@beatrizflorez3960]

I absolutely love this noise

[@CerealKiller669]

goodmorningg Brian☺🐰 i hope you have a great day!!💖☀️

[@CarvingisFun]

Morning! So far so good :)

[@tomevans4402]

Great video, just got a spoon knife, give this a go thank you

[@CarvingisFun]

Thanks! Have fun!

[@yaelshamirelron]

Great instruction. Thank you very much

[@debbiej.2168]

That was actually a good mistake to make for us viewers. We got to see how to fix something in case it comes up in the future. I like to use tung oil on my spoons which cures, and hardens to a nice finish. I also, now get my wood from nature- fallen branches, and sometimes cut offs from a cabinet shop. Free wood is great! But I've checked to make sure it is nontoxic before using.

[@unitytira4954]

Great Video! Thank you so much for sharing this video on the step-by-step guide on spoon carving. I am into my first ever project with apprehension but your guide-instructions, insights, and experience gives me inspiration and confidence to lean on do my first project. I’ll follow your channel. Blessings.

[@blakepalochak7240]

All I’ve done is spoon carving I have Done a tone of spoons.trying to carve something else your channel really helps.

[@CarvingisFun]

Of all the things I carve, spoons are the most satisfying to me. Sure the regular figures and carving look neat and are great for decoration, but carving something that you can actually use feels more useful. I just used some of my soup spoons last night!

[@duaneholcomb8408]

Good hand tools fur carving are harder to find these days. But worth every penny if you really like carving as I do.

[@MariaMartinez-jb3zn]

Real time fix ☝🏽nice! 🙏🏽🙋🏻‍♀️

[@bettybultema]

so satisfying.

[@dstephan34]

You could branch out into ASMR videos. There is something so satisfying about the sound of the knife through wood.

[@CarvingisFun]

I thought about it, but my house is a bit noisy. So I may have to soundproof a spare room. Definitely would start a separate channel if I were to do this.

[@snowyyyyyyyyyyyyy]

@@CarvingisFun the channel baumgartner restoration basically uploads every video twice: one with a voiceover and one without a voiceover. if you want to go that route

[@CarvingisFun]

Naw, it will be hard for me to point out certain details by just doing a voice over. Still, I will look into the channel to see if I can come up with a way that works for me.

[@hashihashi1019]

Wow that’s fantastic

[@GSME_Adult_Learning]

I appreciate the thumb protection.

[@nickcollins9653]

I love this

[@deanoboland]

Outstanding

[@Marleny]

Great tutorial. Thank you. Instead of mineral oil(not something I wish to put in my children's mouths 😂), we use olive oil and beeswax, 4 parts to 1, respectively. Just melt it together, and rub it in. Grateful for these videos 🙏

[@nomeiodomato1088]

Parabéns Irmão ficou muito bom

[@officialjeremiahblake]

Thank you so much!

[@SensiProductionzBlindDogVideos]

Great video, I appreciate it 😇🙏🏻🙏🏻🔪

[@dudeski3337]

#1: create the spoons hollow. #2: carve the back of the spoon hollow. #3: shape the handle. #4: sand and waterproof the spoon.

[@zetascorpii49]

I like this

[@BlockierVase3]

i got myself cut xD doing the scooping, i gonna come back in 3 weeks for this baby

[@Somethingawsome]

you should maybe try using basswood as it has less grain and its much softer.

[@cclub483]

Dude this is cool I want to get this for my birthday

[@CarvingisFun]

Do et!

[@markthepoet777]

Thanks!

[@CarvingisFun]

You are most welcome!!!

[@timb.6269]

Great instructional video. Thanks! I do wish you had included some caution and tips for carving safely. You probably have done this elsewhere on your site, but my teenage grandson just ordered a spooncarving kit that came with all the knives and a walnut blank. He is charging forward with no experience. This video would be ideal for him if it had some safety precautions at the beginning.

[@CarvingisFun]

Thatbis a good suggestion. I do have safety tips on here but never thought about having them at the beginning of thr videos. Something to keep in mind for shure

[@blobfish4999]

Mine looks like shit but I just started it

[@CarvingisFun]

My wife, who is a professional artist, always says that all pieces of art goes through a crap phase :)

[@electricman2011]

Why don't you have spatula carving guide? It is simple but good for beginners and practical.

[@CarvingisFun]

Haven't thought about making one till now :) I shall add it to the list!

[@abhijoicesury2669]

hey, Umm a small suggestion can you pls put links for India too we India fans are struggling to find these tools.:( Other Than That, U are the reason I want to start wood carving cuz of u. :)

[@CarvingisFun]

I have plans on making a world wide suggestion list, bu I just have to find some good sources to pick from. There arent many in your area and I dont want to reccomend low quality tools too.

[@themadisonjt9108]

yours is cutting so smoothly… i believe i got the same wood spoon package. my knife is new and sharp and yet it struggled to cut through so cleanly. i’m wondering if the wood is simply too dry

[@CarvingisFun]

Itvis entirely possible that the wood is really dry

[@blairwillis9199]

I'm an older lady with arthritis in my hands. I'm really interested in giving this a try. Younger strong hands must be nice.

[@CarvingisFun]

My right hand does start to seize up on me after about 2 hours and I have to wait a day or two for my hand to recover. If you choose the right wood, use a quality made and very sharp tool, and are willing to have patience, you can make beautiful pieces of work.

[@blairwillis9199]

@@CarvingisFun thank you. It's good to find out our limitations and compensate. Your comment about having good tools, plus waiting and taking time is wise and encouraging.

[@tomhill6004]

Great video. Loved how you made that mistake and showed how to deal with it. More useful to see something like that in practice. Can I ask what gloves you use?

[@CarvingisFun]

I use slice resistant gloves from Dexfit or Andanda

[@kirk2d495]

You are the Bob Ross of whittling, make a mistake... work with, happy accident

[@AmandaBelleVideos]

What has been your experience with dry or wet/fresh wood? i have been carving into dry wood and find that its takes sooo long. My first spoon probably took me about 8 hrs

[@CarvingisFun]

Wet wood has usually been more enjoyable to carve into over dry wood, especially the harder stuff like cherry and walnut. The only downside is that I have had some of the spoons carved while wet split on me while drying. If you can source the wood while wet and master the process, I would stick with it. Otherwise, you can do it dry like I do and take your time on it.

[@jacintaphaomei3082]

Thank u 🤞🤞

[@CarvingisFun]

You're welcome!

[@thedailydaily]

Spoons are awesome. All I need is to get the curved knife.

[@CarvingisFun]

They are! The knives are pretty much easily aquired and with a wide variety of different shapes to choose from.

[@Urobam]

Please, can you show how do you shape the spoon and you start carving. Thank you

[@CarvingisFun]

I actually buy precut shapes online, but you can use a bandsaw or even a hatchet to roughly shape the wood.

[@Minor_Thing]

Please do a cup for yerba

[@jenniferhanrahan8382]

❤

[@MrAfdasdfa]

Is this the secret alt account of the Serpa Squad guy who makes amazing aquariums because I swear to pete ya'll sound exactly the same.

[@CarvingisFun]

Ha! No I am not but you aren't the first person to say that!

[@ketoincontext2306]

Love the videos, I just got my wood blanks and tools and can’t wait to start.. what do you find you use this size spoon for?

[@CarvingisFun]

I use them as soup spoons :) make em nice and deep so I can get all the soup!

[@naturelover6111]

I've been wanting to try whittling since I was about 9. However I had no idea where to start. You have given me a lot of inspiration and I ordered 3 flex cut knives and a beaver craft strop like you suggested. I have some vet wrap. I'm just having a really hard time finding the DEX FIT gloves and the wood. I think I need medium gloves because that's the size of disposable gloves I needed for my work. For wood, I need a little board like you show in this video because it's not actually a spoon I want to make, but more of a spatula ....(a very specifically shaped spurtle) that I want to make, (or a lot of them if it goes well). I'm guessing maple would be best for durability, but I think still not too difficult to find if I find out where to look. Do you have any suggestions for where I can find the gloves and the food grade board? I've had no luck so far looking online. I've been trying to order from home. Do you suggest Home Depot for both? I'm in Canada. Last time I was in a store I seem to remember having a lot of difficulty determining the type of wood and if it was safe for well....parrot toys, but equally as important now for the wood to be safe for people too. Thank you very much for your inspiration, advice and helpful tips!🦜💕

[@CarvingisFun]

Howdy! For the gloves, most kitchen supply stores and hardware stores will have slice resistant gloves of varying types. I would start there. The wood can more difficult for you up there. Bamboo boards, linden, poplar, cherry, and walnut are popular option and can be ordered from many different types of wood from popular hardware stores. You can also check out Lee Valley for some great options in your neck of the woods as well.

[@naturelover6111]

@@CarvingisFun Thank you very much 😊

[@tilenkosir4968]

Is it ok to use spruce or is it too hard?? Great video👍

[@CarvingisFun]

You can use it, but it will test your patience

[@tilenkosir4968]

@@CarvingisFun Thank you, i'll try.

[@strawberrycubes4774]

I wish you were my dad

[@SivaandKiarasCatDad]

Hey, thanks for the tutorial, looks great and will give it a try. I had a question, for the gloves, the set I got had an anti cut glove set number 5 in large, will that be enough? Or is there any recommendations you can give me. Thanks, and great channel.

[@CarvingisFun]

The level 5 is the most basic slice resistant gloves on the market, but really it is all you need if you are getting started. They won't protect you for all cuts and pokes, but they will minimize the injury. The best way to prevent cuts is to practice proper blade control, the gloves are there to help you with the learning curve and prevent accidents along the way as well as when you hyper focus on the project and forget where your fingers are (like I do).

[@SivaandKiarasCatDad]

@@CarvingisFun thanks so much for the reply. I really appreciate it!

[@soggyoatmeal8647]

I have the beginner set that you showed and have been excited to use it but i’m terrified of when you have to carve towards your knife hand thumb. I already cut myself with it! Are there any tips you could give me to prevent the knife from going through straight to my thumb?

[@CarvingisFun]

Yep! And it is part of a really good video on controlling the blade kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX6sn419jb6jpdk

[@RedNat19]

Can I make a spoon with basswood or would that not work since it’s softer

[@CarvingisFun]

You definitely can!! Its a great way to start and learn before you do the harder woods

[@azsunburns]

I came across a glorious book on spoon carving & a bag filled with the tools & wood blanks for $10 at a garage sale today. I read 8 pages of the book & now feel obsessed. I have a nice collection of vintage wooden utensils but never thought to put my hand at making my own. Now I'm driving in. Wish me luck!

[@razvanlemnaru3811]

Hello! I am carving my first spoon made from basswood and I am using beavercraft tools. How do you cut so easily and along the whole handle. I can only make very small cuts and when I try carving a long one it breaks the wood. Is it about practice or are your tools way better. The wood is also from beavercraft. Thank you!

[@CarvingisFun]

Its a combination of all the above. My tools have a different edge than yours, but I have also been using them for years so I know how they cut into the wood. Give my feather spoon video a look. I do some different types of cuts because of the different tools. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6CVnHd_ZdF0Y9Usi=zenOy1XhmZ27xyNK

[@razvanlemnaru3811]

@@CarvingisFun thank you so much :)

[@KrakenCasting]

Do you need to moisten the wood before you start?

[@CarvingisFun]

Need to, no. But it can make the wood easier to work with if the wood is really hard. Still, usually the tool is at fault for not being sharp enough

[@kathyclauss5779]

Amy book(s) you like for a beginning spoon carver? Tx.

[@CarvingisFun]

Honestly, I never considered getting one! No idea what ones are good too, maybe fox chapel publishing has a good one so I would start there

[@cclub483]

I wish Icould carve

[@CarvingisFun]

You can always learn :) Most people think they can't carve until they start to actually start doing it and find that they can.

[@SewWhittle]

I would like to attempt to make some of these for gifts. Could wood be purchased from a hardware store, and if so, what type of wood would be easiest to carve?

[@CarvingisFun]

Easiest woods that I have seen at my local hardware stores that would be easy yo carve are pine and poplar, with more of a preference to poplar. Sometimes you will see butternut, which is easy to carve and looks nice. If you can get some walnut and cherry, they make for some beautiful spoons, but are noticeably harder to carve.

[@SewWhittle]

@@CarvingisFun thank you!

[@funkyman3345]

What wood do you use?

[@CarvingisFun]

for easy spoons, butternut and basswood. For nice every day use spoons, cherry and walnut.

[@TheMagicRonin]

Thanks. Treeline delivery to Spain? happy new year

[@CarvingisFun]

They might, I would ask them directly.

[@goldenfrog8633]

I bought a new set recently and they are really thick and my scoop is blunt can you help me by showing me how to sharpen the scoop?

[@CarvingisFun]

What brand did you buy? Some dont come in sharp at all. I also made this video to help you out kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5uwpGljbbeAopY

[@Kim-vm4kw]

How do you get your knives that sharp?

[@CarvingisFun]

I initially shape the knife cutting edge angle with 600-800 grit stone, then start to refine the edge with 800-1000 grit stone, then I bring it to a 2000 grit stone to pre hone the edge and get rid of the burr that forms on the edge. Finally, I take it to my leather strop to hone it crazy sharp and for the most part I keep it honed on the strop every 20-30 min of whitting.

[@ppetets002]

can you recommend a really good hook knife?

[@CarvingisFun]

Deepwoods ventures and Ray Iles would be goodn places to start. I personally like the deepwoods ventures ones.

[@mythman3008]

As a new carver, I've bought the spoon blanks online now I'm small and on the weaker side I don't have a lot of power behind my cuts so my spoon keeps looking like a gnarled mess, and on basswood, I seem to really chip the wood taking off too much. Any advice

[@CarvingisFun]

The sharpness of the blades is the factor here. Most cheaper spoon carving sets aren't quite sharp enough and just splinter the wood instead of cut through. Sharpen the edges and maintain them while you carve

[@hubyaprirodamariosvrcek8751]

the handle should be curved for better manipulation with food especially soup

[@CarvingisFun]

This is true!

[@hubyaprirodamariosvrcek8751]

@@CarvingisFun my first spoon was also with narrow handle, next one i did curved, it is more difficult but looks a lot better :)

[@johanaytb211]

Do you know wether or not freshly cut walnut wood is good for whittling?

[@CarvingisFun]

It is on the harder side but I would prefer carving fresh walnut over dry any day.

[@obiettivoselvaggio4645]

very nice! what kind of wood did you use?

[@CarvingisFun]

I believe the one I used in the video was butternut

[@bettybultema]

on April the 9th

[@noahpenny517]

I can never quite get the hollowing out part of a spoon. I am using black walnut from my backyard, am I better off buying a block of wood for this purpose to get my technique correct?

[@CarvingisFun]

With the walnut, just have patience. Its a harder wood than what I use in my videos. I have a few black walnut spoons too and they took significantly longer to make. Just make lots of shallow scoops and keep your hook knife honed razor sharp for best results. Its gonna take a bit yo make (mine took a few hours) but it will be soooo worth it in the end

[@joeofnotrades]

can you use rapeseed oil as a mineral oil to treat the wood?

[@CarvingisFun]

You could, but I personally dont as my experiences have had the oil go rancid over time

[@HikingFreak]

What is the size of the blank block?

[@douglasmathis5200]

you gave some Bob Ross vibes with accidentally cutting to much, nice.

[@Endrance88]

I didn't know butter nut squash grows on trees, I thought it was a gourd.

[@CarvingisFun]

That's where my mind went the first time I heard people talking about it too :)

[@Justart_jpeg]

Thank you! Does that oil make it food safe?

[@CarvingisFun]

I like to use food grade mineral oil, and it is food safe. Always read the label before you use it :)

[@andrewmelton3193]

Or could use walnut oil, if you are worried about using mineral oil.

[@CarvingisFun]

@andrewmelton3193 very true! I keep some on hand to. Plus, it does harden but can take months to do so if you are willing to wait.

[@GrandStuba]

Can I use Brazilian ipe? I read it's too hard of a wood to use.

[@CarvingisFun]

Ooch, Ipe is about 7 times harder than the wood Im using in the video. I personally would use power tools to carve instead

[@GrandStuba]

@@CarvingisFun I read it's toxic also. I wanted to make cooking spoons. Now I have changed my mind

[@CarvingisFun]

@@GrandStuba wow, didn't know that either!!

[@SewWhittle]

What’s the best size wood for carving a spoon?

[@CarvingisFun]

For a standard size spoon, I foind that an 8" x 2.25" x 1" block of wood is a good place to start.

[@mikeyjlv]

What kind of glove is that? Thanks in advance

[@CarvingisFun]

That would be the dexfit level 5 slice resistant gloves. More info here kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWPYmKOdd8xrq7c