the Argobuilder; Craftsmanship, Adventure, Enjoying Life!
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  • Tales of Adventure
    • Sailing from Door County to the UP Michigan
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    • Sailing Lake Superior Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
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    • From Manitowoc to Algoma and back on a small boat, 2017
    • Sailing around Chambers Island Door County Wisconsin

Make a
​One-of-a-Kind Wooden Spoon by Hand

Reconnect with your own ancient past!  There is something traditional and warm and home-felt in every culture about a handmade wooden spoon.  Here I will describe a simple way to make wooden spoons.

How to make wooden spoons by hand:

Here is a short video summary of the process.  Below that is a step by step written guide.
Wood:  I would pick a nice clear (no knots) piece of hardwood such as walnut, ash, birch, cherry, hickory, or oak.  I used a scrap of 1-1/16" thick ash to make the spoon below.

Tools:  I used a mallet, a plain chisel, a rounded carving chisel, a knife for whittling, a straight pull saw, a coping saw, clamps, a vise, and sandpaper
Picture
Here are the tools I used. Note also the hand drawn designs of the spoons on the piece of scrap Ash wood. That knot will increase the work of carving, as I will need to watch the changing grain, but it'll turn out A-OK. Try to use a clear straight-grained piece of wood.
Picture
Use a mallet and curved blade chisel to carve out the spoon. It is best to do this before cutting out the overall spoon from the block of wood, as the surrounding wood provides support and clamping structure for you as you chisel out the scoop of the spoon. Clamp the block firmly to the work table with two clamps. Chisel from the outside in and take care to understand how grain direction impacts carving.
Picture
Use saws to make rough cuts to cut out the shape of the spoon and handle. I am making two spoons from this piece of wood.
Picture
Using a pull saw to cut rough shape of the spoon.
Picture
Here's the spoon after rough cut out.
Picture
Clamp down the piece and chisel off the wood to shape the piece to the lines.
Picture
In process
Picture
With the "plan view" shape of the spoon cut out, draw the side view shape of the spoon on the side of the wood.
Picture
Clamp the spoon and cut the handle to shape.
Picture
Rough cut handle, showing the hand grip that I drew near the spoon and the scroll that I drew at the end of the handle.
Picture
Clamp the spoon upside down and chisel the convex side of the spoon round.
Picture
Carving in process.
Picture
Then I used my Helle knife to whittle the spoon to a nice shape.
Picture
Carved spoon prior to sanding
Sand with 60 grit paper

Then sand with 220 grit paper

Apply a liberal coat of olive oil and allow it to soak in for 20 minutes, then wipe dry with a paper towel.
Picture
Rough sanding in process
Picture
Finished hand made wooden spoon with olive oil finish, 17" long.
Picture
Showing how the scroll on the handle can be used to hang the spoon.
Picture
Detail of carved scroll.
Handmade Wooden Spoons
Handmade Wooden Spoons
Copyright 2016 - 2024 www.argobuilder.com ALL photos and writing are copyrighted by Jason W Talbot of Wisconsin USA as of the date on the top header section of each page, unless credit is given to others. Contact [email protected] to request permission to use any writing or images from this site. Thanks. Use the information at your own risk, please ​make safety your first priority, the author does not claim responsibility for the accuracy ​or inaccuracy of any information on this site
  • Home
  • The Shipyard
    • Building SCAMP "ARGO"
    • Compac 16 Pilothouse
    • Building a Kaholo SUP
    • Making a SUP Paddle
    • Ships' Provisions
    • True Seafaring Tales: Book Reviews
    • Nautical Fiction: Book Reviews
    • Seafaring and Boat Building Reference Books
  • The Woods of Arcady
    • Wisconsin Mushroom Hunting
    • Wisconsin Wildflower Photo Gallery
    • Making Apple Cider
    • Making Maple Syrup
    • Building a Stone Arch
    • Making Traditional Wooden Skis
  • The Homestead
    • The Warp and Weft >
      • Making a Large Tapestry Loom
      • Making a Small Hand Loom
      • Weaving Projects for Small Hand Loom
      • Beautiful Handmade Tapestry Beaters
    • The Merry Blacksmith
    • Making Cheese
    • Wooden Cheese Boxes
    • How to Make Pickled Pike
    • Wisconsin Bluegill Fry
    • Making Wooden Spoons by Hand
    • Handmade Wooden Dustpans
    • Making Broom-Corn Brooms
    • Making Horsehair Brushes and Brooms
  • The Muse
    • Poetry
    • Building a Martin Style Backpacker Guitar
    • Making an Alphorn
    • 3D Printed Alphorn
    • Making an Alphorn Bag
    • Alphorn Gallery
    • Viking Lur
    • Antique Typewriters >
      • Underwood Standard Portable 3 Bank Typewriter
      • Corona 3 Folder Typewriter Refurbishment
      • Typewriter Platen Replacement
      • Design of Rubber Parts for Antique Typewriters
  • The Model Maker
    • Making a booknook
    • Krick Alexandra Steam Launch >
      • Assembling Miniature Steam Model Clyde Oscillating Steam Engine
    • Ship Model FD 10 Arnanes Fishing Smack Johanna
    • Artesania Latina, Cargo Ship "Capri"
    • Building a Ship in a Bottle
    • Model of a Disney Water Taxi
    • BlueJacket Optimist Sailboat Model
    • Oseberg Viking Ship Model
    • Paddle to the Sea Model
    • Making a Cuckoo Clock
    • 3D Print Workshop >
      • 3D Printed Object Gallery
  • Tales of Adventure
    • Sailing from Door County to the UP Michigan
    • Sailing Northern Door County
    • Sailing Lake Superior Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
    • Sailing Lake Huron: St.Ignace, Mackinac Island, Les Cheneaux Islands, St Martin Islands
    • From Manitowoc to Algoma and back on a small boat, 2017
    • Sailing around Chambers Island Door County Wisconsin