Love Spoons

[KimHoJo]

I made a couple of love spoons and would like to learn from your experience. On one, the 'bowl' of the spoon was fairly deep and I had trouble getting a nice smooth finish on the interior. Are there any tricks you can pass on for shaping and sanding it out?

Another difficulty I ran across was finishing the spoons. I applied wax to both. The one made of mahogany waxed up beautifully, but the other made of cherry seemed to soak up the wax and not keep a finish. Is there something better I could apply to the cherry or do I need to be more patient and apply several layers of wax?

Kim,

May I suggest you try a google search on carving love spoons, you'll find many web sites, some may offer finishing tips, nice designs too.

If its a spoon for show only, than a clear satin spray finish would work to, if waxing isn't giving you the look you desire.

Just my thoughts to help you along, never did a spoon myself.
Coffeeman

[mdallensr]

Bent gouges work well for carving the inside of the spoon. I start with a #7 x 1/2' and work around the perimeter, carving to the inside and moving around the bowl. Then I shape the bowl with a #5 x 1/2' or 5/8', again working around the bowl. The big problem occurs when you get right on the grain, on the sides of the bowl. If your tools are really sharp, you can clean up pretty well, but you'll need to make a couple of vertical cuts to clean up the fuzz on the sides. To finish the bottom, I use a bowl shaped gouge that I can get parallel to the bottom. I don't sand my love spoons because I think it loses some detail. I finish some with tung oil and others with Deft satin finish. I posted one based on Adler's book on our piture trail site.
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...&members=1

[Kenny_S]

I love spoons, forks and knives as long as there is food on the ends!!!!!! :

[KimHoJo]

A bent gouge will do exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

...I like the pattern on the love spoons! Nice job, good carving! hummmmm I addressed this to M.D., but it didn't come thru?

[macktruck]

I have a tool that is shaped like a spoon with a curved planing blade about half way in the bowl. It's a trick to use but does give good results in bowl.
got it through japanese woodworker about $15.
As for the finish problems have you tried the food safe finishes that the bowl turners use.
I use wax on mine cherry soaks up the wax like you said just use more applications.
i also use cooking oil, it will let the cherry age to a nice dark tone and is still usable for everyday use.
macktruck

Macktruck, a little more info on that tool so I can look it up, don't have a catalog so must use the net.

[mdallensr]

Dave, I've learned a couple of important points while carving love spoons. First, a good pattern makes a huge difference. You can do a great carving job, but if the design doesn't work, it'll never look good. Second, you have to faithfully reproduce the pattern and very carefully scroll saw the blind holes to make sure the curves flow, straight lines are straight, and that every corner is complete. You can never put back wood. If you do all of that, it pretty much carves itself. Shirley Adlers' book has most of the patterns I've used, and way more than I'll ever get around to carving. Mike

[macktruck]

Jordan,go to www.japanwoodworker.com and in their search engine type in ,big spoon carving gouge, the part# is CS-o1.
price is $11.80 plus shipping.
I've had mine for years.it takes a bit of trial and error to learn how to use it but it creates a good smooth interior on a spoon. hope this helps you out.
macktruck