Hand Carved Utensils | Build It | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O’Connor hand carve wooden serving utensils using leftover pine from a previous Build It project.

Time: 2-3 hours
Cost: $50
Skill Level: Beginner

Tools List for Building Wooden Utensils:

Shopping List:

Steps:
1. Trace out an outline of the utensils on a piece of paper and cut it out to use as a template on the wood.
2. Place the paper template on the scrap wood being used for the utensils. Trace the outline over a decent section of the wood with straight grain and no knots.
3. Cut the scrap wood into a workable piece using the cross-cutting side of a Japanese pull saw.
4. While still using the Japanese pull saw, make relief cuts along the outline of the utensils. This will make the wood easier to cut later on.
5. Make a rough thickness cut using the Japanese pull saw so that the utensils are roughly the desired depth. This can be fine-tuned later.
6. Use the coping saw to cut out the outline of the utensil. The relief cuts should make this step easier.
7. Start fine-tuning the shape of each utensil using a variety of hand tools. The spoke shave is good for the handle, and the rasp is a little better for the head of the utensil.
8. Scoop out the heads of each utensil using a curved gouge. Using the gouge, work your way to the lowest point of the utensil in the center and then come back up. Work all the way around the head of each utensil to give the curve a unified look.
9. Sand the utensils smooth using 80, 120, and 240 grit sandpaper.
10. Wipe down the utensils with a tack cloth.
11. Apply a food grade wood finish using a rag.

Resources:

To cut and carve the spoon and fork, Tom picked out a variety of hand carving tools, including a carving gouge, spoke shave, a couple different rasps, a coping saw, a Japanese pull saw, and a hand plane. Some of these tools can be found at home centers, but it will be easier to locate them all at specialty woodworking shops.

The sandpaper Tom and Kevin used to smooth down the utensils can be found at home centers.

Build It:
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva, This Old House host Kevin O’Connor, and special guests including Jimmy DiResta, take you through step-by-step DIY projects in this popular video series. From end-tables to cutting boards to wine racks to chicken coops and more, learn how to build from the best pros in the game. Segments include mention of all tools and materials needed to get the job done.

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Historic Plantings, Wood Utensils | Ask TOH

Build It | Hand Carved Utensils

[clarencek]

Tom Silva, once again is a national treasure ..

[davidcrandell]

Tom is the ultimate craftsman. I've enjoyed every one of his videos and learned so much. Thanks for posting.

[knight]

That’s was very pleasant to watch. You guys are awesome!

[Retiredin]

Tommy is a great carpenter and most importantly a great teacher 👍🏻👍🏻

[imawesometheoriginal]

Wonderful so much for sharing! Please do more of this kind 🙏🏼

[robertfurdas]

Tom Silva!!! You are the best!! Thanks so much for sharing your know-how and techniques!!!!

[robertfurdas]

This video was so cool!! !!! THE PATIENTS and the crafting of going into the spoon and fork was so awesome!!! I learned that you have to be patient with working this way!! Tom Silva is the best!!!!

[ourjourneytohope]

Excellent. Going to make these for Christmas gifts.

[ShadowzGSD]

Love the change from the tatty utensils up to the point of sanding to the totally different utensils at the end, "here are the ones we made earlier" lol

[alejandrosanchez]

Hi tommy and Kevin's am watching your video down here in Panama City every ting you guys do is amazing thanks

[wild-radio]

*Yes! Projects for beginners with hand tools* i will now watch again, and... maybe a 3rd time as well :) thank you!♡♡♡

[BigDaddysGarage]

You young kids and your fancy tools! I just use good ole sharp rocks when I make things like this! 😂

[brianreiner]

I just really enjoy the videos that you guys produce.

[cetyl]

Tommy has this awesome knack to make projects approachable.

[jaesenadam]

Here in the Philippines or in every Filipino house, we have giant wooden Spoon and Fork hanging on our wall as decors. It's like these things that they made. 🥄🍴

[Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

😂 all of that handsawing; that's dedication.

[jasoncrimmel]

Once again, nothing short of impressive. Even Kevin's turn out nice!

[benritchsmith]

Hi Mr. Silva,
I remember from the older generations in my family tell about barn-raising in northern Maine about the tradition of nailing up a pine bow to the roof ridge when a structure (barn or house) was put up. I never understood it enough to satisfy my curiosity. I wonder what your take on it is.
Thanks,
Ben

[johnroberts]

Hi TOH, I think that you did a good job Tommy & Kevin on carving out these wooden utensils !! 👍😀🔨🔩🔧

[julians]

I remember doing this exact stuff in wood shop in school