Hey everyone! I'm completely new to wood carving and currently trying my hand at making a spoon. I'm hitting a bit of a wall when it comes to shaping the bowl of the spoon. I'd love any tips or tricks to make this process a little easier. What tools or techniques should I be focusing on?
2 Answers
Definitely clamp your spoon down! Stability is key, especially when you’re working on the end grain, which is tougher to carve. Work side to side instead of from just one side to avoid tearing the wood. Patience is important, so take your time with it!
It can be tricky starting out, but a good approach is to begin at the handle side of the bowl. Try cutting through the grain first, then switch sides to remove more material from the middle. Watching tutorials on YouTube can really boost your confidence and give you a clearer idea of how to work the wood. What kind of clamp or vice are you using? I’ve been looking for a good solution myself!

I’m scavenging materials for a spoon mule too! It looks like it’ll help so much with stability while carving.