Why You Should NEVER Sand Your Spoons + 14 Other Pro Tips

Are you interested in learning the art of spoon carving? Look no further! In this video, I'm going to address the top 15 questions that everyone has about spoon carving. Also, special thanks to my friend Michael from Almfab for visiting the farm last month and learning about spoon carving with me!

Cheers!
Anne

0:00 Intro
0:32 How long does it take to carve a spoon?
1:06 What tools do I need to carve a spoon?
2:38 What kind of wood can I use to carve a spoon?
2:58 Can I use dry wood in spoon carving?
3:38 Where can I get green wood?
4:59 How "green" does the wood need to be?
6:20 Can you rehydrate dry wood?
7:21 Is cutting towards yourself dangerous?
8:03 How often do you need to sharpen your tools?
9:17 Should I sand my spoons?
9:47 What finishes should I use on my spoon?
10:07 How do I maintain the spoon?
12:59 #1 spoon carving mistake?
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MORE ABOUT ME

I'm Anne of All Trades. In NASHVILLE, I have a woodworking, blacksmithing and fabrication shop, a selection of furry friends, and an organic farm. Whether you've got the knowledge, tools, time or space to do the things you've always wanted to do, everything is "figureoutable."

I became "Anne of All Trades" out of necessity. With no background in farming or making things, I wanted to learn to raise my own food, fix things when they break and build the things I need.

8 years ago I got my first pet, planted my first seed and picked up my first tool.

My goal is to learn and share traditional techniques and skills while showing my peers how to get from where they are to where they want to go, how to do the things they are passionate about, and what can be done TODAY to engage their own community and grow deep roots.

Whether it's carving spoons, making my own hand tools, restoring my antique truck or growing heirloom tomatoes, the farm and workshop definitely keep me busy and support - whether financially through Patreon, through shopping my affiliate links, through buying merchandise, plans or project videos, or even just liking, commenting, and sharing my content with others helps me GREATLY to keep producing quality content to share.

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[MarkWYoung-kyuc]

Great video! How do you keep spoons from cracking when the wood dries out?

[marianarlt]

The positivity you radiate is extremely encouraging, love it. I remember you posting your hardships here as well, and boy, you never lose that smile. What a champion!

[schiffbauer]

I‘m carving spoons for three years now, using green wood as well as dry wood. (Mostly juniper and olive wood) I always sand my spoons up to 800 grit and get a silky smooth surface after finishing with walnut oil and wax based on walnut oil, bees and carnauba wax.
Happy carving

[BelfastBodger]

From somebody who has been carving spoons decades before the Sloyd trend. I sand most of my spoons ending with burnishing the spoons with a cotton cloth. Roased Walnut oil which is a polymerizing or hardening oil will give a nice finish and protection. Flax oil will give your spoon more of a yellowing colour.

[billroberts]

Anne, your teaching talent is evident in this instructional video and will help viewers make spoons and enjoy the process while having fun. Blessings to you.

[Kai-mizv]

I never usually comment on videos or use the thumbs up button, but here I am…. This video is really useful as a starter, but above all great at inspiring me to do more carving! Thank you

[eekee]

I've been looking for a hobby that doesn't involve sitting at the computer all day. This is giving me ideas! :)

[stevenwilgus]

Something rarely spoken of: Fine Motor Control, which is the finesse of careful and precise movement DISAPPEARS after about 6 pounds of muscle effort: it then becomes Gross Motor Control, like when you pick up a heavy back pack, or a bale of hay.

Dull cutting tools et al can put one into Gross Motor Control and THAT is when accidents happen. Sharp tools permit "finesse" and thus way more control and therefore are safer.

[lyssanyon]

This was way more informative and useful than the popular expensive spoon carving book that pops up that i finally shelled out and bought, plus a bunch of long winded videos. Packed with information and i appreciate how you don't lay shame on sanding, just explain simply the benefits of doing otherwise. Love a post with tons of knowledge and no posturing ego, just good humor and useful info. And it was very helpful to hear that it used to take you hours but doesn't any more.. definitely a ray of light on making money with what is now a new passion.

[clifc]

Loved this video, loved the whimsical music in the background too. Thank You Anne for this video, Thank You Adam for your production.

[seamusderby]

A little over 15 years ago my grandad brought me into his shop and we carved a whole dining set for camping wooden bowls cups and plates of black cherry and spreading knife and spoon of black chestnut I still use them every summer and fall around camp

[cowboyblacksmith]

I tried making a large spoon from the black walnut tree in my yard I cut down. I cracked the spoon end right in the middle so just cut it into a large salad mixing fork. I never set out to make a fork but have one now so it's kinda cool.

[robertshorthill]

I had a carved spoon buisiness for about 15 years. I used hard sugar maple from a lumber yard for cabinet makers. I had patterns that I could duplicate with consistancy. I gave it up because of time, old age and price of materials. It was fun for many years and I had lots of tourists from local farmer market in summer

[r.m.strong]

Quite enjoyed seeing how much you love what you do .
Also found your " counter to how I carve " enjoyable, helps me to be mindful of the many paths to art .

I carve dried and hardened woods, I do cut down my own trees time to time . I'll tell you, being a woodcarver first, and arborist second .
Well, I have to charge a flat rate to my neighbors when I drop trees or prune for them .
As with every cut, I'm also looking at what I can do with the wood if cut how .

Yes, I spoon, bowl and cup carve hardwood, not ever green . And I will hand sand with upto between 6 to 9 different grits of paper.
End results the piece gets so smooth it looks like they have been oiled already .

Carving the dry wood, I belive .
Makes sanding easier .

I'll give you a fun idea to try out .

Next nice dry hardwood carving, sand super smooth .
Add oil, take a blowtorch, scorch the whole piece .

Then sand, and sand again till smooth . What results, is a grain exposure your going to love .

The usual method of traditional wood preserving via Japanese woodworking " or old farmers with fence posts " is a deep burn then an oil.

But for a carving finish, sand, then oil, then burn . Then sand again, a lot .
Try a walnut oil beeswax finish .. go from there .

I think you will enjoy the results .

I'm never one to rush my work .
I take the time to take the time .
It's the process of doing and being that's my joy, not so much as the having .

Keep carving ! You have done well ! And I do admire how well you come across, I am not so versed on social media editing or whatnot, near zero followers, hehe, that's fine by me .
But I certainly admire what others can do as well .
It's always an extra inspiration to see the joy and love others have, for a craft and lifestyle which I love and gives me joy .

[TheLegend-gjbw]

She's so happy it's contagious !!

[christophermckinney]

A lot of really good tips here Anne. I wish I would have known some of these tips when I started, others it always helps to be reminded of, and what you were saying about having to think 3 dimensionally and paying attention to reduction woodworking is so true. It takes a completely different mindset.

I remember reading of one of the old master sculptors, in regards to getting to his desired piece out of the medium, that he would picture the final piece, and carve away anything that wasn’t it. Seemed like a bit if a smart A** answer to me at the time, but that was breaking it down to the most basic.

Everyone wants an easy answer, or a tip of how to get there more quickly, when the old adage of practice, practice, practice, is the truest advice you can get. But more than that, effective practice, is the quickest way to becoming a master. (And to bring this full circle, your tips here are designed to, and will help someone, practice more effectively!)

[Guitarplayer]

I’ve been turning bowls and vases for about 10 years and I’ve tried my hand at spoon carving, with less than stellar results😊. This video is fantastic! I’m going to try my luck with spoons again, now that I’m a lot more educated! Thanks Anne, subscribed!

[donnacreager]

What a great video full of information! Love the question/answer format. 🥰

[mattevans-koch]

Excellent presentation Anne. Thank you.

[andreacrashe]

*Anne, that was the most informative video.... the Q&A is great with excellent explanations... Thank you.*