Wooden Spoons

[Rick]

My wife's birthday is Thursday. We've been married for almost 35 years and we stopped buying each other birthday presents a long time ago. There's simply nothing either of us want or need. However, I got to thinking (dangerous, I know). She likes wooden spoons and while I've made a lot of wooden stuff in 35 years I've never made her any wooden spoons. So, I thought I'd try my hand at it. This is my first attempt be it good, bad or indifferent. I wanted something pretty hefty that would last a long time and could be handed down to my granddaughters. I wanted something very plain that could be used to stir with and I'm pretty pleased with the result.

I started with 3/4inch solid red oak stock and drew two spoons about 11 inches long. I free handed the outline then cut out the stock.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

You can see the raw stock on the left. The rough cut spoon in the middle and the initial shape starting to turn out on the right. The little orange handled knife is the one Tennecedar made and sent me. I used it to whittle a bit and to help make the bowls. (Thank you, sir!)

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

I used a rotary sander attached to my drill press to begin the process.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

The bowl begins to take shape.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

Both bowls are roughed out.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

The one on the right has been hand sanded with 120 grit.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

First sanding with 120 grit is complete.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

Finished sanding with 250 grit is done and I cleaned them up by blowing any remaining dust off of them with the compressor.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

A three hours soak in food grade mineral oil.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

The final product. You can see how the mineral oil brings out the red in the oak as well as the grain. If you scroll up a bit and then down you'll see the difference in the wood. They will air dry until Thursday. I know she'll be surprised because she won't be expecting anything. We celebrated her birthday last Saturday with the kids and grand kids so Thursday will be just another day.

Sorry for such a long post but I thought some might like to see the wood take shape. Especially if you have always wanted to do wood working but didn't know where to start. I'm always impressed that inside a simple piece of wood is something wonderful just waiting for someone to make it appear. In this case, a couple of spoons were hiding inside.

[trax]

certainly saved me a trip to WalMart.

[Ken]

Nice job! It's really neat to see what you can turn out with a little talent and the right tools!

Wish the Mrs. a Happy Birthday from us!

Did I just pay Rick a compliment?

[Ken]

I have a real issue with this part .......

The little orange handled knife is the one Tennecedar made and sent me. I used it to whittle a bit and to help make the bowls. (Thank you, sir!)

Crash, are we getting usurped?

[Alpine_Sapper]

Dude, your pimp-hand is strong when it comes to woodworking....

[gryffynklm]

Nice work red oak can tear out if you get aggressive carving to much to fast. I have red oak spoons that are at least 10 years old and still in use. Its a good choice of wood. It will hold up to stirring soup in a cast iron kettle.

There is a great tradition of spoon carving in Wales.

The custom of carving and giving Welsh Lovespoons originated in Wales hundreds of years ago. The young men of today would probably buy flowers, chocolates or jewellery as a token of affection. Centuries ago in Wales, the young lover would also give gifts of sweets or cakes; but they would also give a special, more personal gift to the object of their desire, the Welsh Love Spoon. Some of the early love spoons can be seen on display at the Welsh Folk Museum in Cardiff. There is even one that dates back to 1667.

[crashdive123]

Nice work Rick. ken - you didn't get yours?

[vthompson]

Nice job Rick, the spoons look great. I make spoons every now and then, but I make mine by cutting down small trees that have the shape that I am looking for. Then I sit and whittle with 2 different knives until I get it finished.

[gryffynklm]

Here is to the Irish Battle Spoon, for the big appetite.


Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

[Gray Wolf]

Very nice, both, the thought and the spoons. Tell the Mrs. Happy Birthday!

[Rick]

Thank you. It was actually today (red faced). I had the date right. I was just thinking Thursday was the 24th. My bad but I corrected it before any grievous errors were made. She was treated to a marinated and grilled steak, baked sweet potato, a loaf of home made white bread, salad and strawberry shortcake with the 'cake' made from home made pie crust. All courtesy of yours truly. I spent yesterday baking for her.

If you want a treat, make some pie crust and use it for the cake in your strawberry shortcake. Hmmmmmmmm.

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

nice work Rick, the mineral oil bath is en exelent method of sealing and polishing the wood.after that stage I sometimes buff the surfaces to a high polish with a buffing drum
if my wife sees this thread im in big trouble.

[Runs With Beer]

Thank you. It was actually today (red faced). I had the date right. I was just thinking Thursday was the 24th. My bad but I corrected it before any grievous errors were made. She was treated to a marinated and grilled steak, baked sweet potato, a loaf of home made white bread, salad and strawberry shortcake with the 'cake' made from home made pie crust. All courtesy of yours truly. I spent yesterday baking for her.

If you want a treat, make some pie crust and use it for the cake in your strawberry shortcake. Hmmmmmmmm.

Whats a date night?

[Rick]

RIGHT. I had the date RIGHT. You are sooo bad. (shakes head while walking away).

[SnipAR-10]

Nice work. And now I have yet another project to try and fit into limited time. Thanks a lot.

[tonester]

really nice spoons! im gonna make an attempt at making some now sometime this week!

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

I met a fellow years ago at the pioneer art setlement in barberville fla. He made wood spoons and forks only he was splitting them off of cedar logs, he was getting them from the bulges of wood next to the knots.

[bulrush]

Rick, Make sure you guilt the Mrs. into making or buying you something, or we might have to take away your "man card" temporarily.

Rick: "What? You didn't make ME anything? But honey...it's a show of our undying love and committment... *sob* our love... I think it's dying..."

[Rick]

How long have you been married? What's that you say? 35 years...YEARS on this end. I have not been married that long by mouthing off OR not following instructions. It's a terribly simple plan, really. Do everything she says when she says do it and there are no problems. Peace reigns in the castle. My manroom, down by the dungeon, next to the moat overflow is left completely alone. Of course it could be the musty smell that keeps her out of there, too. It is pretty damp down there.

[Gray Wolf]

Rick, did she like them???