cherry wood spoon

[rickm]

I apologize I know this has been posted a million times. I want to make a functional spoon out of cherry wood, is that wood conducive to work? and what finish for a working spoon>? can I put olive oil on it or should it have a poly?

[carvingbarn]

Cherry is a good wood for bowls and spoons. There are a number of food safe finishes woodcraft sells one. You can use walnut oil, or olive oil. I would not use a poly finish.

[toycarver]

I love making spoons from cherry wood. I have used a light olive oil and another product made especially for food service items. I agree with Randy, poly is probably not a good choice if you plan to use the spoon.

[idigjars]

Do you have to reseal the wood with the olive oil occasionally after you are using it? Thanks for the info. Paul

[cut up]

Paul, it is my understanding that any type of oil used will have to be reapplied occasionally because it will dry up. If I remember right, walnut oil and olive oil will turn rancid. I'm sure someone will correct me, if I'm wrong. I have used mineral oil like you would buy at the pharmacy. It also needs reapplication, but won't turn rancid.

[Claude]

I use olive oil on my cooking spoons and spatulas. Some are walnut, some cherry, some maple, some olive wood, even some purpleheart. Since I use them constantly for cooking, they're exposed to lots of olive oil in the pan. I clean them with warm soapy water in the sink, pat them dry, throw them back in the drawer.

One key to a great cooking spoon: no little cracks or crannies carved into it to trap food.
Another key is a smooth finish. I achieve this by sanding down to 400 grit, then getting the spoon wet under the faucet. Shake it off, and dry with a hair dryer. The heat from the hair dryer lifts the little wood fibers and makes the surface feel rough. Another light sanding with a piece of used 400 grit, then repeat the wetting and drying. After about the 34d or 4th cycle of this, the wood stays smooth after drying, which means all the little fibers have been removed. I then put it on a paper towel and smear liberally with olive oil. The oil soaks in quickly, so I repeat this several times, finally leaving overnight on the counter with the last coat of oil. Wipe clean in the morning, and throw in the drawer. Occasionally, after using for some time, the wood will be a bit rough in places when dry. I just use the plastic side of one of those plastic and sponge scrubbie things to scrub the spoon under water from the faucet and then dry. Smooth again.

Claude