Carve A Spoon
Spoon carving is one of the most powerful handcrafts and woodworking skills that anyone can learn. Working with axe and knife, you’ll be expertly guided on a step-by-step process to transform a chunk of green wood into a beautiful functional piece of art. Many people quickly fall in love with this process, finding it allows them to clear their mind, connect with the wood, and feel empowered to use low-tech tools to make functional objects with their hands.
Settle into the sloyd
Sloyd is the old Scandinavian term that embodies the philosophy of handcraft–the craftiness to take the materials around us, using simple tools, to make the things we need.
The spoon is the best gateway into this realm because it is something used on a daily basis to help us sustain ourselves. The humble wooden spoon offers countless opportunities to understand design, wood fibers, and how to use cutting tools. Learning to shape fresh green wood by axe and knife is an empowering experience that acts as both therapy and meditation. We’ll spend a good bit of time understanding how these tools work and the necessary skills and muscle memory needed to use them safely and effectively. We’ll work through a series of exercises which will culminate in your very own spoon.
What We’ll Cover:
- Proper Axe Technique
- Proper Knife Work
- Proper Hook Knife Technique
- Safe Tool Handling & Control
- Wood Procurement, Storage, Selection
- How To Finish Your pieces
Opportunities
A huge perk about this class is having an opportunity to try out the variety of axes and knives in Mark’s collection, giving you a solid base to inform any future tool purchases.
Instructor
Mark Angelini
Mark began carving spoons in 2011 after a life of experience with modern woodworking. He has been infatuated with the traditional tools and techniques of his forefathers ever since. Mark loves nothing more than felling a tree, splitting it open, and shaping it with axe and knife to uncover a beautiful and functional spoon. Aside from spoons, mark also turns plates and bowls on a foot-powered pole lathe. Learn more about Mark here.
