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

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.

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.

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.

Using a pull saw to cut rough shape of the spoon.

Here's the spoon after rough cut out.

Clamp down the piece and chisel off the wood to shape the piece to the lines.

In process

With the "plan view" shape of the spoon cut out, draw the side view shape of the spoon on the side of the wood.

Clamp the spoon and cut the handle to shape.

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.

Clamp the spoon upside down and chisel the convex side of the spoon round.

Carving in process.

Then I used my Helle knife to whittle the spoon to a nice shape.

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.

Rough sanding in process

Finished hand made wooden spoon with olive oil finish, 17" long.

Showing how the scroll on the handle can be used to hang the spoon.

Detail of carved scroll.

Handmade Wooden Spoons