Wood Carving with Bushcraft Tools - Gransfors Hatchet and Mora Knife - Silent Spoon Carving

Today I wanted to carve a spoon for my bushcraft trips. It had to be sturdy enough to stuff into my pack, and versatile for flipping eggs or scooping stew into a bowl. I was inspired by Jogge Sundqvist's style of Swedish spoon carving. His spoons have a rugged, utilitarian look to them - with clean lines. After carving many types of spoons, I think I've finally decided that these Swedish spoons like Jogge's are my favorite.
This wood was gifted to me by a dear friend, and I'm afraid I let it sit in the wood pile too long. It is partially seasoned now, and hard as a rock Big Leaf Maple - Acer Macrophyllum.
#gransforsbruk #morakniv #swedishspooncarving #bushcraft
I carved the spoon using a Gransfors Bruk Wildlife hatchet and Mora 106 and 120 knives. Other tools were needed, since the wood was stubborn. Various hook knives were tried for hollowing, plus a carving adze for making the curved bowl shape. Oh, and I split the log using an old Hults Bruk Agdor hatchet.
I hope you enjoy this video, friends. If you haven't subscribed to the West Fork channel yet, please be my guest. Until next time, God bless and Happy Trails.
Kevin

[@henryschmidt636]

The crackling fire. The chopping of wood. Better than any background music....

[@kirbycreekmo]

Off the scale awesome video. Artfully crafted video and spoon. Entertaining and educational. Thanks for sharing it with us. So many gems sprinkled throughout the video I'll have to watch it again (and again). I think this is the second video I saw the glove-finger sheath - brilliant and grin inducing! Most excellent!

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Thank you, my friend. That means a lot. ❤️

[@PINEPUPPY]

What a great vid Kevin. Loved all the unique camera angles and random shots around the homestead. The carving itself was pure functional art. Educational, peaceful, and entertaining. Between your photography and carving skills, you are a true woodsman artist. Thanks for sharing!! 🌲

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Glad you liked it Pine. I sure appreciate your insight and encouragement. I thought spoon carving would be fun and easy, until I pulled out the camera. I'm glad you enjoyed the finished product. Take care my friend, and have a great weekend! ❤️

[@KettleCamping]

We totally agree!!

[@vicki9vance]

Wonderful video of a true multi-talented artist at work. Love the spoon, the table, the fire, the sound effects,.... and the setting/view. Thank you for sharing . :-)

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Thank you, Vicki. That's too kind. Glad you enjoyed the show!

[@wendingourway]

Plenty of skill and patience in them hands for sure...an amazing process to watch!! Excellent stuff!!

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bucktalesoutdoors7566]

Hey Kevin ! Great way to pass some time on a beautiful Spring day ! Love the fire and the backdrop for this video. Tig just kicking back and watching the goings on. Meanwhile here in NH we’re still well under snow after last weekend’s storm dropped 2 feet + on us and with cold temps, it’s going nowhere fast. Awesome looking spoon, I enjoyed the process.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Your weather sounds crazy, Don! I guess you won't be hauling out the kayak any time soon. Dang. Have a great weekend, my friend!

[@bucktalesoutdoors7566]

@@WestForkWoodsman soon but not as soon as I’d like.

[@KettleCamping]

I really enjoyed the video! You have great skills! I will rewatch the video with my wife. Cheers!👍

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching!

[@peterlender1287]

100 % handmade, thank, Peter

[@daveoverholt8540]

You make that look so easy and phenomenal eye/hand coordination with all that hatchet work. Never seen the brow tine treatment and looks like it smooths it right up! Great Work!

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Thank you, Dave. The whole process is a lot easier with green wood, but I'm happy with my new spoon. The antler tine compresses the fibers and hardens the surface quite a bit. It will be completely dry in a couple days, and I will use multiple coats of tung oil on it. This is the first time I've carved a spoon for myself! Take care, my friend!

[@elementalmade]

Your videos are immaculate. The beautiful shots and the way you set them up are fantastic. I have been bingeing your videos and I subscribed. Please keep making videos!

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Thank you. I sure appreciate your support. Glad you enjoy the videos. I'll make some more!

[@elementalmade]

Of course! What camera and lens do you use?

[@gohammergo]

Great job on that.😊😊😊

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Thank you!

[@garyyanyan4566]

You made me want to make my own spoon great vidio

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Definitely make one or more spoons! Whittling is a great way to relax, and gives you peace of mind. Cheers!

[@traveldjt]

Nice done 👍 Very beautiful spoon 🥄

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Thank you so much 😊

[@TheShurikenZone]

Loved the video, pilgrim! And you did an excellent job on that spoon. 👍👍 I just finished an eating spoon in cherry, last night... a crazy, asymmetrical design. Spoon carving is truly one of the coolest crafts in the world.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Very cool and relaxing craft. Love those wonky spoons. Keep on carving brother!

[@TheShurikenZone]

@@WestForkWoodsman Thank you very much, sir! And likewise! I have an April Fool's youtube offering planned, which features the crazy spoon. If I think of it, I'll come back here and call your attention to it. It really is an unusual one. haha

[@WestForkWoodsman]

@@TheShurikenZone Sounds good!

[@TheShurikenZone]

@WestForkWoodsman Happy April Fool's, sir! The short with the crazy eating spoon is live. 👍👍

[@jimeckenrode1271]

very nice job.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Thanks. I appreciate you watching!

[@harrythewoollyman]

Nice!

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Thanks Woolly. Now you know how hongry I am!

[@shanesworkshop922]

Great job as always on the spatula/spoon my friend! You could definitely tell by watching and listening how hard that wood was too. Any chance we’ll see these for sale in your shop? Thanks for another excellent video Kevin and happy Easter to you and yours.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

Yeah, it was hard wood alright! I didn't realize what I was getting myself into. I enjoy carving birch best, and will be looking for some green wood. Then I will make some for my shop to sell. I really like these chunky spoons. Many carvers whittle them down so thin. I've really taken a liking to the Swedish designs. Happy Easter to you as well, Shane. Thanks for being there, my friend.

[@rustydogrustydog9191]

I appreciate the video. Especially that you use the wildlife hatchet to carve. How do you find it as a carver?

[@WestForkWoodsman]

I love it for spoon carving. Especially for detail work. It's a little too light for roughing out large spoons, but great for everything else. When I can afford it, I'd like to get a GB Carving axe, but for now this is just fine. Thanks for watching.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

One more thing. I have sharpened it flat on the left side, with a steeper angle on the right. It bites better. I'm right handed.

[@rustydogrustydog9191]

@@WestForkWoodsman Thanks, I have an opportunity to pick up the wildlife hatchet and was hoping it would double as a carver at least for a lil while. I have to admit I’m nervous at the thought of reprofiling it though. I too have the carving axe on the old wishlist. Thanks again.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

@@rustydogrustydog9191 It will carve as-is. I used a file to adjust the profile after it was plenty dull, and it worked much better. Enjoy your new axe. I love mine!

[@rustydogrustydog9191]

@@WestForkWoodsman Will do , and thanks for the replies, I am now a subscriber so keep em coming. 👍