I'm excited to carve my first usable spoon out of plum wood. I've practiced with other types of wood but had a go at plum recently (which I cut fresh from the tree). Unfortunately, the spoon cracked by the next day. I know I need more practice, but are there any specific tips people can share? Should I be seasoning the wood beforehand or using any particular techniques? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
I've been carving spoons from plum wood that I cut from my own garden, and I haven't had any issues with cracking. Just make sure you're attentive to how you shape the wood and let it dry properly!
How far along are you taking your carving? Are you leaving the spoon a bit oversized before finishing, or going for the final dimensions right away? Maybe adjusting your approach based on that could help!
One thing to consider is whether you included the pith—the very center of the branch—while carving. That's often the culprit behind cracks. If you can, try to remove the pith as it can lead to issues down the line. Even with good technique, it’s sometimes just luck if you kept it out completely!
I heard that if you save the shavings from your carving and put them in a paper bag with the spoon, it can help it dry more evenly and prevent cracks. I haven't tried carving a spoon yet, but it might be worth a shot!