Hand-Carved Wooden Kitchen Utensils – Beauty Meets Daily Use

Article 62: Hand-Carved Wooden Kitchen Utensils – Beauty Meets Daily Use

By: A Woodworker Who Enjoys Hand Tools and Good Cooking

Carving your own spoons, spatulas, and forks is a rewarding and meditative process. These utensils are both useful and beautiful in hardwoods like cherry or maple.

Materials

• Cherry or maple blanks: 2" x 12" x 3/4"

• Mineral oil (for finishing)

• Beeswax (optional)

Tools Needed

• Carving knife or sloyd knife

• Hook knife (for spoon bowls)

• Spokeshave or rasp

• Sandpaper (150–400 grit)

• Pencil and template

Steps

1. Design Your Utensil

   • Draw on the blank: spoons, spatulas, salad forks. Keep grain orientation in mind.

2. Rough Out

   • Cut outline with coping saw or bandsaw.

3. Carve Shape

   • Use knife to shape handle and head. For spoons, hollow bowl with hook knife.

4. Refine and Sand

   • Smooth edges. Check hand feel. Avoid sharp transitions.

5. Finish

   • Rub with mineral oil. Buff with wax if desired. Reapply monthly.

Sketch – Top View of Spoon

     __________
    /          \    ← Spoon bowl
   |            |
   |            |
   |   Handle   |
   |____________|