How to Carve a Spoon With Just Hand Tools

Spoon carving is an art as old as stone tools. Carving a spoon can be a meditative job that allows you to take a block of wood and end up with a piece of art that is also a functional kitchen utensil. This spoon is made from walnut and can be made in just a couple hours with basic tools. Though this may look complicated and daunting, it is a simple task that most anyone can pick up on their first try. Don't expect perfection on your first spoon, but you can expect to be proud and happy of the work you've done. This can even be made with a block of firewood through the softer the wood like poplar, walnut or cherry, the easier it is to carve. You could even do this with a piece of soft pine.

Supplies and Tools

---Tools I Use---

---Book I am Listening to in the video---

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[jtmag]

Wow, a completely different approach to spoon carving. Fantastic approach for folks without a hatchet and sandpaper

[anthonyoltmann]

The chisel is a really good "answer to the solution"...classic James!

[MrMercredifyable]

A beautiful spoon and a beautiful video James! ✨👏

[Omaiel]

Arthour !! Couillère !!
I love that spoon made out of chocolate 😋

[IchorousIcarus]

You love what you do, and it's very wholesome to see that. Thanks for sharing this.

[mikeandlucky]

Great video. Not only in the woodworking technique but also in the production. Very enjoyable and very informative. Thanks

[carbonitegamorrean]

That piece of walnut was beautiful almost stunning, I plan on making some kitchen wear when I can if I have time or dont run out of it.

[timcheatwood]

It's crazy this is the video this week. I just made my first spoon (with handtools) last weekend with my son. It was a really great experience. We used a coping saw to remove a lot of material first, then chisel and spoke shave to bring it to the lines. The card scraper I bought from you made a world of difference on the spoon since I was using curly maple. Thanks again. I need a hook knife though to make the bowl smoother. Great video James. I like the unique handle shape.

[DonnaMSchmid]

Beautiful! I love the organic movement of the spoon; not stiff-looking at all!

[kevinelliott]

Just starting out woodworking and am hooked!!! I have a nice 6’ mulberry branch from one of my trees that I used for a mallet handle so far. Next up is a spoon.

[myrawright]

Ok! Add this to my list of projects when I get home!!!! ❤️

[janetsadeghi]

I wish I could do this. I buy hand-carved spoons online all the time. I’m amazed at how beautiful they are and also how much wood seems to go to waste to make one.

[TheWoodYogi]

I love making spoons :) Really enjoyed watching this and a fantastic looking spoon to finish ॐ

[briankalainoff]

Love the spoon. I just started listening to the creators collective podcast (love it by the way) and that has taken me to your videos. Very inspiring. Trying to build up the courage to move to more hand tools. Thanks for the inspiration.

[volkerbraun]

I love this kind of Videos. Nice Spoon! Thank You!

[jimshuster]

enjoyed your video on the spoon. I first caught your video of the MWTC meet in Lansing which I attended. I must admit that I have not used too many of the hand tools that I have collected over the years, but plan on doing more with them, being inspired by people like you. My son actually did a video on my tool chest (shuster tool chest). I will continue to check out your videos in the future.

[TheBeowulf]

Amazing video like always and quite possible one of the most unique ways of carving a spoon I've seen. Just started carving and I aspire to say it's easy and a joy to work with Walnut with hand tools alone cedar with have to do for now 😂. Thanks for the video

[MakeBrooklyn]

Awesome spoon! I just made my first spoon this past June. No idea what kind of wood ... I just grabbed something from the firewood pile and went to town with a hatchet a straight knife and a hook knife. They are much fun to make. I opted for mineral oil and beeswax on mine.

[raymondglidewell]

Carving spoons has become a camping hobby of mine. I usually try to do 2 per trip from wood I find locally. 1 I bring home as a souvenir the other I leave on the camp site table for the next visitor. Lot’s of fun and a good way to pass the time. I use an axe, hook knife and a couple of other fixed blade or pocket knives just based on what’s needed.

[josephkerley]

That turned out really nice. I recently started spoon carving and have really been enjoying it. I would recommend though that you use green wood. It’s easier and the results are just as nice. I’ve been using Birch and Alder. A friend of mine brought me some Madrone from a recent trip to the lower 48 and it’s been making wonderful spoons. Madrone is a beautiful wood to work with. Carve on! Looking forward to your future carving.