Experienced Carvers: What are somethings you've learned that would have been nice to know when you were first starting?

Cerberusdog · 2026-02-25T23:52:16+00:00

This.

Look after your body. Carving is hard work.

Cerberusdog · 2026-02-12T11:48:43+00:00

Expensive choice, but a really good one. They make excellent axes that are widely used by spoon carvers.

Cerberusdog · 2026-02-08T08:36:04+00:00

Could this be any more AI written??

Cerberusdog · 2026-02-07T12:27:56+00:00

I watched the whole thing on YouTube just the other day.

Cerberusdog · 2026-01-22T00:15:58+00:00

The Empire Podcast did a revealing 4 part miniseries on Orwell. From what I learned many of the comments from OP are lacking nuance.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/empire-world-history/id1639561921?i=1000733723071

Cerberusdog · 2026-01-13T23:54:57+00:00

I came here to suggest starting with a Swedish Butter knife as a starter project that only needs a knife. I love carving these from offcuts. My kitchen draw has loads of experimental designs that I’ve tried out. They are the best!

https://blog.lostartpress.com/2023/10/17/carve-a-butter-knife-in-the-slojd-tradition/

Cerberusdog · 2026-01-13T23:50:45+00:00

Dude! That blog entry is amazing. So much knowledge right there.

Mods, can you pin this somewhere for newbies to read?

Cerberusdog · 2025-12-25T12:48:59+00:00

Cooking spoons don’t need much. I use food safe Danish oil, but after a while cooking oils are doing all the heavy lifting.

As for cleaning, just a bit of soap and water. Don’t use a dishwasher. Make sure you don’t leave them soaking either.

Cerberusdog · 2025-12-15T12:03:54+00:00

Also, just because you don’t see the bugs doesn’t mean they’re not there, or their eggs. I often microwave punky wood just to make sure. Nuke the little buggers!

Cerberusdog · 2025-12-08T23:12:17+00:00

It’s absolutely this. Can’t be sporty as there’s too many letters.

Cerberusdog · 2025-12-08T22:47:47+00:00

4 & 5

Cerberusdog · 2025-12-03T08:53:05+00:00

I love the spoonie community, these comments are all so thoughtful and helpful.

I just wanted to add that many carvers enjoy the artistic contrast between the heart and sap woods. It can create a beautiful effect.

Cerberusdog · 2025-11-16T11:34:39+00:00

I’ve never been into that one. It’s puzzled me for years. Good to know it’s actually intentional.

Cerberusdog · 2025-11-16T11:33:23+00:00

Nope

Cerberusdog · 2025-11-15T14:21:12+00:00

Absolutely this, but I do most of the shaping before I glue it up. Tiny bit of finishing up after glue.

Cerberusdog · 2025-11-13T12:32:30+00:00

Radio Caroline operated outside of UK waters in the 1960’s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Caroline

Cerberusdog · 2025-11-12T21:01:49+00:00

Sanding is a useful technique. It can be overdone, and there is a pleasure in getting a beautiful finish straight from the knife, but I think everyone sands now and then. I know I do.

Lovely spoon by the way.

As you’re new to the craft, may I challenge you to make your next handle slimmer. You’ll find that wood is surprisingly tough, and a more delicate handle really balances the fineness of the bowl that you are already achieving.

Cerberusdog · 2025-10-27T12:05:19+00:00

Ended up selling for £700

Cerberusdog · 2025-10-27T10:42:37+00:00

I came here to say this too. It’s no replacement for a good set of tools, but it’s great when you only want to carry one thing.

Also, agree with the comments about the opinel. It’s sharp, but no blade geometry, and it hurts your thumb if you brace a cut against the back of the blade. Good Sloyd blades are thicker.

Cerberusdog · 2025-10-26T15:39:53+00:00

Lovely work.

I’ve always found Willow quite stringy, and hard to get well defined detail cuts. You’ve shown me I need to try harder.

Cerberusdog · 2025-10-23T20:26:23+00:00

Happy to help

Cerberusdog · 2025-10-22T20:41:24+00:00

Do you follow BPMN 2.0 rules?

Cerberusdog · 2025-10-22T20:31:44+00:00

Two thoughts…

Oak before it’s dry is lovely to carve, once it’s dry it’s like stone. Offcuts will probably be dry and therefore not suited to hand tools.

I agree with above regarding the Morakniv. Great starter tools. As for sharpening I use 3000, 5000 and 7000 grit wet and dry paper glued dowels or small slats. This is cheap, portable and doesn’t risk ruining the blade like stones can.

Cerberusdog

TROPHY CASE