How to Make a Wooden Spoon

For the longest time, wooden spoons have been used for different kitchen purposes. Making a wooden spoon only requires some simple hand tools and the possibilities for design are boundless. You can learn about the styles and behavior of wood grain by carving out one of these spoons. Before you start anything, make sure to consider all safety precautions. Read the instructions for all the tools you will be using and wear protective gear to safeguard your eyes during the process. There will be plenty of sanding on this project so have a respirator or dust mask handy too.

The procedure for construction

Select a piece of wood

You can check out a woodcraft shop for some special pieces of wood or just make do with what is most available to you. A very good choice will be something like cherry, it is a closed grain wood and s also hardwood which means it will have more longevity than just any other choice. Depending on your taste and intended use for the spoon, you can pick out your personal preference for this project.

Use a pencil marker to trace out a pattern

There is ample choice for a model spoon out there which you can use for this. To make a wooden spoon, you should use an already existing model to get a patter. Select a place on the board that will let you cut out more spoons from the same board. Place the spoon model on that side of the board and use a pen to mark out the shape.

Cut out the spoon with a saw

Using a jigsaw, handsaw or bandsaw, cut out the traced shape of the spoon on the piece of wood. Remember to read precautions for the saw before using it. Cut outside the trace line to avoid mistakes. You need some technique to cut out the curved part with a bandsaw so be creative about the edges. Be steady with the saw instead of trying to rush through the job and watch your fingers.

Sand and shape the spoon

For the next step on how to make a wooden spoon, you will need to sand the sharp, rough edges of the spoon after cutting out the shape. A belt sander is very convenient for this process but you can also make use of a regular hand sander and finish the job manually. You are not just removing rough bits, you will be shaping the spoon into the desired form as you sand.

Carve out the spoon bowl area

You can get a power carver for this, but it’s expensive. A carving tool that can fit into any of your already existing equipment is better. As you are carving and making a wooden spoon, move the tool around instead of keeping it in one place so that you avoid the mistake of making a hole too deep. Also, keep in mind that different tools and fixtures will work differently on different types of wood. You can also use a spoon gouging tool for this.

This might take longer than using a tool but you will have more control, there will be no noise from the machine and no dust getting all up in your face. Sand the bowl area as you make a wooden spoon. You can add a hole at the bottom if you intend on handing this spoon.

Complete the sanding by hand

Using 120, 220, 320, 500 grit sandpaper, you can further sand the spoon for a nice touch. A micro mesh grit of 1500 – 3600 will be very good for finishing touches.

Add finish

With the food grade mineral oil, or any other finish of your choice, finish off the making of a wooden spoon. Apply the finish, wipe off, allow soaking for some time. A finish will pronounce the grains and helps the spoon last for longer.

Tools & materials required

Here are the simple tools you will need to make a wooden spoon.