http://www.woodreview.com.au 29PROJECTbegin to visualise the basic spoon proportions, one third
will become the bowl of the spoon and the remaining
two thirds will become the handle. Then divide the bowl
section into thirds – this will mark where the ‘crank’ is
required in the next step.
The crank angle
A spoon made from a flat piece of timber is fine for using
an overhand grip and stirring a pot, but not for eating.
A crank or angled bend enables room for your hand and
keeps the spoon bowl level to ensure no food is lost on the
journey to your mouth (photo 5).
The angle of crank varies – for example soup will require
a spoon with a larger crank than a spoon designed for dry
foods. Next time you pick up a metal spoon study it and
notice the crank angles vary according to purpose.
The deepest part of the crank should be two thirds down
from the tip of the spoon bowl: saw a 10mm deep cut at
this point across your blank as shown on the top blank
in photo 4.
Now, using your axe, carve down at a gradual angle from
the handle tip down to the cut line and depth. Turn the
blank around and and carve a gradual angle from the
spoon tip back down to the cut line.
Now flip your spoon blank over and shape the back of the
spoon (photo 6). The aim is to mirror the top side profile
onto the bottom. Hence you will carve from the deepest
part of the bowl (top of the mountain) back down to the
tip of the handle and then again down from the mountain
to the spoon tip.
The outline
Now design and draw your spoon top view outline,
ensuring the widest part of the bowl is two thirds down
from the spoon tip (photo 7). If you are looking for design
inspiration, use your favorite metal spoon as a template
and keep designs simple and flowing.
Remove the waste wood from each side of the handle
(photo 8). Focus is required here as an axe blow misplaced
here will shear off half your spoon bowl. A little trick here
is to saw stop cuts on each side of the thinnest part of the
handle neck where the bowl meets the handle.
To be safe, hold the tip of spoon and carve down from
the stop cuts as close to the lines as possible. Then flip
the spoon on its tip and lightly carve back to the stop cuts.
Alternatively, if you are feeling confident with an axe, you
can cut V-notches instead of the stop cuts.
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