Sharpening Spoon Knives - Ben Orford

[@debrariley2057]

Thank you for simplifying the whole process, understanding that people don’t have endless money especially now, you have made this simple, easy, informative, and achievable for us new carvers. Thank you.

[@Zedoutdoors]

Thank you kindly Debra ~Peace~

[@CanadianShuffler]

Thank you Zed! I just found this video after months of not being able to use my crook knife due to it being dull. I honestly had no idea it that it was this easy to sharpen my crook knife and I cannot thank you enough. I've been at a stand still with my spoon and bowl making for so long I know I'll get mine jammed in my hand somewhere! Oh well, it's the way she goes I guess... -A-

[@Zedoutdoors]

Down But Not Out You know up till recording this video with Ben I had no idea either of how to sharpen my crook knife :) Really glad to hear it helped you out and who better then Ben to teach it. I'm really thankful to him for allowing me to record this video ~Peace~

[@bigfootbushcraft7063]

Ben is the man!!! You can learn tons from that fellow. And he really is a genuine guy. Thanks Ben, Zed for taking the time out for another Awesome vid Zed. Stay blessed my friends.

[@Zedoutdoors]

John Kenneally I couldnt agree more, not only is Ben a natural in front of camera but is also one of the nicest and knowledgable guys you'll ever meet. As always thank you for your kind words Mr Kenneally :) ~Peace~

[@bigfootbushcraft7063]

Thank you brother. Keep up the fun Zed its great.

[@EarthVoiceOnline]

Excellent! Very helpful tutorial and I also learned a lot about crooked knives. Thank you so much Ben! Zed, you are doing great things to help and inspire beginners, thank you!!

[@Zedoutdoors]

***** An absolute pleasure and a thank you to Ben for taking the time to record this ~Peace~

[@pondlife1952]

That’s a very good lesson. Thanks… new to this carving lark. Have been successful on the third attempt; a very small (impractical) spoon, but still going through the bowl on the fourth attempt. I’ll sharpen my hook spoon and no.7 Opinel which is probably still too long in the blade. Lots of good tips too on stropping, cheers.

[@Zedoutdoors]

Sincerely appreciate the kind words and worth mentioning that I have all of my tutorials listed on my blog for easier navigation - zedoutdoors.com/video-tutorials

[@justincole9116]

Thanks for the advise on sharpening! I've been having trouble figuring out how to find the edge the best and the sharpie trick is exactly what i needed! Also using the flat boards with the paper wrapped around is much more convenient and easier to make out of some scrap laying around, than it is to go out and get dowel rods to do it with.

[@Zedoutdoors]

Awesome to hear this video helped in some way Justin, wishing you the best and I appreciate you watching ~Peace~

[@andrewplaysoutside]

I'm here on a recommendation. It did not disappoint.

[@Zedoutdoors]

Chuffed to hear that Andrew and many thanks for watching! ~Peace~

[@deanoboland]

Brilliant video loads of information

[@Zedoutdoors]

Thank you kindly my man ~Peace~

[@Joe_Sant]

Two top guys in one great video. Thanks fellas hope to see you both soon.

[@Zedoutdoors]

Stokie Joe Bushcraft Thank you kindly Joe, still jealous of your Ben Orford neck knife though ;) ~Peace~

[@sammyslavvu1981]

Get vid zed, thank you I can listen to Ben all day

[@Zedoutdoors]

Solo bushcraft 82 Me and you both my friend, Ben is such a powerhouse of knowledge ~Peace~

[@MikeSmith777]

Some great information Zed, thanks for taking the time and sharing with us. Atb Mike.

[@Zedoutdoors]

Mike Smith A pleasure Mike and good to see you back on here my god man ~Peace~

[@marycmcnaught]

Nice one Zed. It's on my list for a crook knife and looking forward to making a spoon.I am carrying two big lumps of wood in the boot of my car for this project ,as I think I am getting a crook knife for my Christmas. Now I know in theory how to sharpen it! Cheers Mary

[@Zedoutdoors]

Mary McN An absolute pleasure Mary and I cant wait to hear how you get on with your crook knife as carving is so addictive :) ~Peace~

[@danmottesheard5294]

thank you for taking the time to do that. I have several crook knives and it's time for some sharpening

[@Zedoutdoors]

Appreciate your kind words Dan and best of luck with your sharpening my man ~Peace~

[@jimdenton9717]

Dan Mottesheard ssę.oklkk

[@carpy1970]

Ben's is another great channel that I've found through yours. Just ordered some stuff from his site this morning and dropped your name to Lois his wife on the phone as the route that I found them through. I always think it's nice to let the small family businesses know that I found them through your videos.

[@Zedoutdoors]

I appreciate you doing that and both Ben & Lois are stellar people, hope you enjoy order from them ~Peace~

[@carpy1970]

Zed Outdoors Lois said you're a very nice guy yourself :-) Ben looks like a very natural and gifted instructor, he really explains things really well. It's nice to be able to actually talk to the people that have made the products you use, it makes them a bit more personal and meaningful if you know what I mean. Not the same as getting something made in a factory. Hopefully I'll be able to meet them and yourself next year at some of the get togethers. Peace dude.

[@raymondbailey1970]

awsome vid mate just bought a crook knife and it came blunt but now i can sharpen it ,thanks for sharing .

[@Zedoutdoors]

raymond bailey An absolute pleasure Ray and glad this video helped out, all the thanks goes to Ben as I learnt tons myself making it. Many thanks for watching my friend ~Peace~

[@oldguy537]

great video Zed , pretty informative, I picked up some new ideas myself , thanks for sharing ..

[@Zedoutdoors]

Tony An absolute pleasure Tony and thank you for watching ~Peace~

[@WiltshireMan]

Another great video Zed. Ben is a mine of infomation and very helpful. Sandy

[@Zedoutdoors]

Wiltshire Man I couldn't agree more Sandy, I could sit and listen to Ben all day with the amount of knowledge he has ~Peace~

[@Cands528]

Another good tutorial video. Thanks, I'll be watching you! Cheers Zed!

[@Zedoutdoors]

Stanley Sprow Stan the man thank you my friend :) ~Peace~

[@ramdor72]

fantastic vid Zed. I have really got to make some of those sticks and give my knives some loving. Ben is one talented guy, with a passion for what he does. Cheers and atb, Richie.

[@Zedoutdoors]

ramdor72 A pleasure Ritchie and yes do christen your knives with some carving, man I find carving one of THE most relaxing things you can ever do in the wild ~Peace~

[@teec3385]

Nice one Zed, very skilled chap Ben Orford

[@Zedoutdoors]

Tee Campez Most definitely, Bens a super nice guy too, many thanks for watching TC ~Peace~

[@jackblack7827]

A pretty common practise among Native carvers on the Pacific Northwest coat is to roll the wet and dry sandpaper around a pen or pencil and use that to sharpen the crook knife blade. Bevel is usually on the inside. To sharpen the flat back side the sandpaper is put on a flat surface and the blade drawn back and forth...

[@Zedoutdoors]

Appreciate the heads up Jack thank you ~Peace~

[@BangersBushcraft]

Nice informative vid buddy Ben has some really nice stuff . As always ATb to you and yours Scotty

[@Zedoutdoors]

Bangers Bushcraft Most definitely, just be sure to leave your wallet at home if ever you visit his stall ha! :) ~Peace~

[@heypockyway6652]

I'm not sure I'd want to pay for a Mora and have to do all the work mentioned here to get a quality blade. Why not pay someone like Ben a little more and get a proper crook knife, made with love, from a decent bloke. Thanks Zed

[@Zedoutdoors]

+HeyPockyWay It's all relative in terms of price, everyone has their own perception of whats affordable and not. Thanks for watching dude ~Peace~

[@carpy1970]

I have spoon knives from Robin Wood, Ben and the Mora. The Mora is rubbish as is comes, and even after spending a lot of time trying to re-profile it, I've not been able to get it anywhere near as good as Ben or Robin's knives. Mora's straight carving knives (120 and 106 I think) however are both very good. Both Robin and Ben's knives are excellent and come sharp as you could want and ready to use.

[@phillippayne8170]

Great vid Zed.......i was wondering how to sharpen the crook knife......cheers from Australia

[@Zedoutdoors]

Phillip Payne An absolute pleasure Phil and glad to hear this video helped in some way, who better to teach it then Ben ~Peace~

[@stgeorge6947]

Zed Outdoors thanks zed. Your videos are invaluable

[@randomfox9970]

Zed Outdoors greetings from UK England Essex very cool interesting helpful. video thankies 💕🐺👌

[@nigelstanford4945]

Hey all, I was going to make some of these stropping boards and wondering the best way to attach the leather to the stick. Some gorilla glue? When the piece of leather wears out would it be hard to get it off to reload? Thanks, Nigel

[@Zedoutdoors]

Hi Nigel, yes any form of strong glue will work just fine, getting it off cleanly will be very tough though. In which case you could simply glue a new piece of leather on top of the old one or use a new piece of wood ~Peace~

[@ScrambledO]

Looks like i need to buy some sand paper :/ good vid Zed, as usual.

[@Zedoutdoors]

ScrambledO Your spoon carving is coming on great as been seeing your photo on Instagram, not sure if you know of Ben Orford but he's one of the most respected and knowledgable people in the green woodworking space ~Peace~

[@SeanSquatchPNW]

Great vid zed.

[@Zedoutdoors]

SeanSquatch PNW Thank you bro and hope you've been keeping well ~Peace~

[@stonybrokebushcraf]

wicked vid Zed nice one Ben

[@Zedoutdoors]

stonybrokebushcraf Thanks Andy and great to hear from you as youve gone a bit quite on youtube, hope everythings ok bro ~Peace~

[@rjlatham999]

Jesus Christ Zed this is getting weird. Its almost as if you are reading my mind. I have just bought a Mora crook knife as I wanted to do some spoon carving and this was before before your vid with Jill and now I really want to, but I didn't know how to sharpen it now that it is a bit blunt. Not only do you get Ben, the man that has taught me loads already from his vids, but you get him...him, to show me how to do it. Next if you have `how to make a leather pouch for tinder´ or ´carve your own fire steel handle´ then I will pop. great vid as always. we are all learning together

[@Zedoutdoors]

richard latham Thank you for your kind words as always Richard and I already have those suggestions on my check list for future videos :) ~Peace~

[@BushBrother]

Really enjoy your vid's Zed

[@Zedoutdoors]

walking stick A pleasure my friend and thank you sincerely for your kind words ~Peace~

[@msean3221]

Great advice! Not sure about the banter though!! ;-) I need to make/buy a rounded strop. Any advice on how to make this or where to buy one?

[@Zedoutdoors]

To buy one check out Sean Hellman who does a fantastic range at a great price ~Peace~

[@carpy1970]

Ben sells a sharpening kit on his web site that includes a flat strop with rounded edges for stropping the inside off spoon knives. Also includes a similar board for wrapping wet and dry paper round for courser sharpening or outside and inside edges.

[@slkknifelover]

Im just curious about the necklace! Looks cool! Lol

[@Zedoutdoors]

Indeed yes thats a neck knife from Antler that Ben makes and is very popular ~Peace~

[@davidroberts8499]

Zed, you give me names web sites any contact information on makers of carving knives. Blade smiths if any good ones you recommend I would like making my own handles.

[@Zedoutdoors]

Hi David i'd recommend the Mora blades as they are cheap, readily available and very good quality blades ~Peace~

[@rjlatham999]

oh and wood spirit carving in found wood. ben's a geezer!

[@Zedoutdoors]

🙌

[@pete6891]

great!

[@Zedoutdoors]

Thank you Pete! ~Peace~

[@MBSRbushcraft]

Great video where we all can learn a lot from.. I'ld suggest that you make a website with all your videos like these and name it "Learning with Zed". Ofcourse we'll also learn from Zed and that's the good filming and interview technique ;-) peace Mahdi

[@Zedoutdoors]

Mahdi's Bushcraft & Self-Reliance Why pretend I know skills when I can interview people who have them for real :) As always thank you for watching and for your kind words bro ~Peace~

[@scoutsbushcraft7680]

Nice vid

[@Zedoutdoors]

scoutsbushcraft Thank you my friend ~Peace~

[@thatguyonabicycleofconsurv3908]

Can you send me links to what you use and how to get them... Ty

[@Zedoutdoors]

Ben has more information here - benandloisorford.com/

[@sinbad892]

Great vid zed. Your subs r just going up and up my friend and so they should. Atb Mac.

[@Zedoutdoors]

sinbad892 As always thank you for your kind words Mac, hope you and family are well ~Peace~

[@rosseveritt8250]

Excellent. Some good tips there from Ben. Thanks for sharing once again Zed. Good man! :o)

[@Zedoutdoors]

Ross Everitt A pleasure Ross and yes who better then Ben to cover this topic with, I learnt tons myself making it ~Peace~

[@danielromero6600]

DOES HE SHIP TO THE U.S.

[@Zedoutdoors]

Daniel Romero Indeed he does Daniel, he has a lot of customers your side of the pond ~Peace~

[@YorkshirePiper]

Tried many times I still can't do it. My knife just won't cut

[@Zedoutdoors]

It may need taking to a sharpening stone if it's too blunt ~Peace~

[@Sheepdog1314]

the eastern USA native peoples had a crooked handle for their bowl carving knives

[@Zedoutdoors]

Indeed yes and they were very proficient with it too ~Peace~

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

@ 12:26 - I'm guessing he meant 1,200 grit (not 12,000).

[@Zedoutdoors]

Yes ~Peace~

[@rjlatham999]

and maybe basket weaving?

[@Zedoutdoors]

🙌

[@zoehancock]

It was all lovely until the knife on nail bit... If he'd just cut himself that would have been better than the nail - who knew? You can learn a new thing about yourself it the strangest times! I'm going to put together a sharpening kit for my friend along with tutorials as a birthday present. I'm doing lot of research about how to make it maximally useful but not too complicated. Then she will be empowered and I won't need to keep sharpening her tools... Thanks for helping with this.

[@Zedoutdoors]

Thank you for watching Zoe ~Peace~

[@zoehancock]

Just seen out again and when he got to the bit about the skin on his thumb I remembered that the nail bit was coming up. Still made my stomach lurch! The sharpening kit present and demo were received very well. Thanks again, Zed and Ben.