Spoon/Scoop Wood Type - Source

Mike Herzberg · #1 08-26-2007, 04:13 PM

I have just become interested in wood carving and have tried some bass wood eggs and blanks just to get the feel. I would like to carve some small scoops (like a coffee scoop) or even a little larger one - like a flour scoop.

What is the best type of wood to use for this and what finishes would be best - considering safety and food contamination, etc.

Also, what is a good source of blanks for this type of project?

I have both carving knives and a Dremel. Any hints, suggestions, etc. are appreciated!

I did read the article in the most recent Wood Carving Illustrated magazine but the sppons featured are quite a bit larger than I am planning to do.

(I know that's a rambling issue - I need all the info I can get!!!)

THANKS!

Mike H.

kitaye · #2 08-26-2007, 04:22 PM

HI Mike,

I carve spoons but have not tried a scoop. So far I have carved sppons from basswood, yellow poplar, and butternut. I don't use a blank and most of the time I don't use a pattern so I can't help you there but I would suggest using a scorp for the bowl of your scoop.

The scorp I have is a very sharp full circle blade. Leevalley carries three different sizes(http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...0,43332,44073). I've use the 2/16th one for some of my deeper spoons and it worked great. It did leave ridges but I used sandpaper to smooth it out.

Mike Herzberg · #3 08-26-2007, 04:46 PM

Kitaye,

Thanks! I am eager to get started and, thanks to you, learned of a new tool (and term!) - the Scorp))!!

Any restrictions on the finish of the spoons / scoops as far as use with food?

Thanks again!

Mike H.

kitaye · #4 08-26-2007, 05:02 PM

I'm fairly new to the whole food safe finishing thing as all my sppons have been for display. I did find Watco Butcherblock Sealer at Home Depot yesterday that I want to try and it is food safe. There is also something called nature oil that says it is food safe.

If it is a scoop for dry goods like coffee, sugar, or such why not leave it unfinished?

bill#1 · #5 08-26-2007, 09:21 PM

I have made some spoons in my carving time and with deeper spoons or scoops you are cutting end grain..and that can get tough...with the deeper scoops where the grain starts and stops you will see a difference..mostly made mine from basswood as a decoration..not to be used..for food..spoons that are more shallow are easier..try it..and see what you come up with..

bill

love2carve2 · #6 08-26-2007, 10:17 PM

Mike,
I have made several scoops and spoons to be used. I drew up a pattern on graph paper to cut blank out on bandsaw. The easiest way I have found to keep it same on both sides is I draw out half of the shape in pencil. Then I fold the paper down the centerline and trace over it. This copies the other half exactly as the first. Hope that makes sense.
As for food safe finish, you can buy expensive oils that are food safe but one of the best things is plain mineral oil. It's a lot less expensive than other finishes and to me works just as well and is available at any drugstore or wally world.
Have fun with them and experiment.
Mary

jamesfa · #7 08-26-2007, 11:35 PM

Miike my experience with scoops is limited but for a food safe finish on some of my bowls & plates i have used mineral oil and or walnut oil(have been told) that it will not go ransit like some of the vegetable oils.

Frank

Mike Herzberg · #8 08-27-2007, 09:05 AM

Thanks for all of the great info! I guess I'll jump in and see what turns out!

Frank - fantastic photos of your projects. Maybe someday I'll have a woodworking area like yours!

Mike H.

Claude · #9 08-27-2007, 11:33 PM

I've carved spoons and spatulas from oak, walnut, maple, olive, purpleheart, paduak. Generally, since my spoons are meant for cooking and not hanging on a wall, I finish them with a few coats of olive oil - coat the spoon, let it soak in for an hour and coat again, rest overnight, then a final coak and rest overnight. Haven't had one go rancid yet - but they are used almost every day...

Claude

jamesfa · #10 08-28-2007, 01:20 AM

Mike- if your refering to the first 2 picture on my picture trail those are off the wood working shop at our local Senior center-but seeing as i was volunteered to be the Convenor/Suporviser i do consider it mine.

Claude-I see you use olive oil without any problems it just shows how we sometimes accept comments at face value without any real investigation.
it probaly was some salesmen,telling me about the adverse effects of olive oil in order to sell some expensive finish he was recommending.next time i'll have to raid the wifes cuboards.

Frank