Escanaba Newbie

[Palod]

Hello All:

I remember the old Finnish guy up in Calumet, Michigan, who used to come around every year with a pushcart, selling the wooden spoons he had made. This was back in the 1950's. Since then, I have always thought that spoon carving would be a neat thing to do.

I've been retired for quite a few years now, and often run out of "honeydo" projects in the winter. Woodworking has been something I have dabbled in for a long time, but I have done no carving. This winter, I decided to try carving spoons.

So - in the last two months, I've made eight of them - including one Scottish spurtle. The quality has improved with quantum leaps. My wife is calling me artistic even! And I can hardly draw a picture at above a toddler's level!

I started with a 2 Cherries gouge that I got as a gift a few years ago. This and sandpaper were the only tools for the first couple of spoons - which were done as experiments, and turned out looking pretty crude.

Now, after a lot of internet research, I've also got a Pinewood Forge hook knife, a set of scrapers (wonderful tools), a home made jig for holding the spoon while hollowing the bowl, a machinist's vise with wooden jaws to hold it while shaping the outside, and a fine cut microplane.

First, I draw the spoon shape on a hunk of wood - top and side views. I cut this basic shape with a bandsaw, and use a belt sander to refine it a bit. Then, I continue shaping the handle and outside of the bowl with the microplane. Use the same old gouge to hollow the bowl, and the bent knife to smooth most of the gouge marks. Next, I remove the remaining toolmarks over the whole spoon with the scrapers (have I mentioned that these are WONDERFUL tools?). Sand with grits ranging from 60 all the way to 2000, wet down - dry - and sand again with the 1000 and 2000 grits a couple of times, and finish with walnut oil. WOW, they're beautiful!

Friends have now given me wood (for making them a spoon or two) - including a big plank (7'X9"X2") of walnut, and a somewhat smaller one of gorgeous birdseye maple (7'X8"X2", with some bad spots). I've got enough really nice wood to last for a long time! I'd still like some cherry, though.

A fascinating hobby. Six hours seems like a few minutes. Looks like the winter will pass quickly.

[Whimsy_Carver]

It sounds like you have found a most rewarding hobby. And, isn't it nice to discover that you have artistic talent! Congrats and welcome aboard. Maybe you can post a picture or two of your work.

[Mottles]

Welcome, when you are ready I'd like to see some of your work. If you need help with uploading images here is a handy link for ya Posting Photos
Kathy

[tucker1931]

Hey there Palod, first off "welcome to the forum" second, es Canada seems to say your in Canada, where? I'm really happy to see you on here as I am assembling some tools to do some spoon carving myself. I've been carving caricatures for about a year and a half and am getting to the point where some of them are almost half decent. The problem is, "I hate painting them" so I thought I would try my hand at spoons.
I have already bought a hook knife and am buying one of those sander outfits that you can inflate a little. Still busy as the devil with Xmas ornaments but hope to start spoons after Xmas. Sure would like to see some pictures if possible. By the way, I'm in Dunnville Ont.
Cliff

[Palod]

I will be posting several photos soon. My spoons are not fancily carved, but are utilitarian works. "Escanaba" is a town is Michigan's Upper Peninsula - on the Lake Michigan shoreline about 100 miles north of Green Bay WI.

[AlArchie]

Escanaba, eh! A nuuder YOOPER, ya you betcha. Yo go Green Bay, or shop Marquette?

Welcome from the other side of the UP........Bessemer. Same state different lake.

My neighbor just got interested in spoon carving....seems like a good genre to start with.

Al

[Ron T]

Hello and welcome, Palod. Thanks for the description on your spoon making technique. I'm planning on making a couple one of these days.

[vacation212]

CheersHello and welcome,I think you have caught the bug.[Carving bug]

[Palod]

Hello All from the Escanaba Newbie:

Today, December 12, 2008, I posted three photos in the Image Galleries. "Wooden spoons".

Palod