We arrived home from our daughter's basic training graduation Friday night (post for that coming soon), and after all the excitement I got a chance to wander out to our backyard and chop out a rough spoon blank with my hatchet from some Chinaberry I cut down a couple weeks ago. 

 

I am in the learning stages of woodcarving and I am focusing on green woodworking Slojd style. I love it. My work has a lot to be desired at this point, but I'm having fun. 

I took the spoon to near completion, now I'll wrap it in cloth to let it dry out slowly for about two weeks, then I'll refine the lines and facets. 

 

 

 

See ya in two weeks for the final carving and finish. Thanks for looking.

Looking good.  I take it the green wood cuts easier making it preferred for the rough out process.

30 minutes ago, HandyDan said:

Looking good.  I take it the green wood cuts easier making it preferred for the rough out process.

Dan, it cuts incredibly fast and clean, I love working with Green wood, no wonder it was preferred back in the day and still to this day among chair makers and the like, it shaves down easily and cleanly, it splits wonderfully, I used my froe and a piece of small log for my club, and cleaved the small branch right in half.

Once I finish shaping this spoon, it'll get finished with flax seed oil and possibly some colors too.

Here is an example of what I hope to someday aspire too.

 

 

When I get comfy with spoons I'll tackle some bowls as well, like this one.  I just love the texture one can get with knives and curved knives, these bowls are roughed out with a hatchet, hollowed out with a bent gouge, and the outside refined with knives. You can't get this warmth with power.

 

I like the bowls, reminds me of somewhere I have been.  At the moment I cannot remember the place.

11 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

I like the bowls, reminds me of somewhere I have been.  At the moment I cannot remember the place.

Europe, while they are popular here too, the green-woodworking movement is huge in Europe, places like the Ukraine are hot beds for this work and the forging of the tools to work it with. Perhaps that's where?

2 hours ago, John Morris said:

Perhaps that's where?

Old church down by the city center in Odessa, Ukraine.  Old couple had a booth there and sold them.  On my vacations I would to come and play chess with the retired guys that played at the benches at the church.  Would hire a interpreter, (some smoking hot babe) and have her interpret and be eye candy for the guys.  The way they greeted me was like we all served together.  

Wille Sundquist's book, Swedish Woodcarving, is an excellent book on both techniques and projects such as spoons and bowls.   I never realized there were so many carving "strokes" as he describes in his book -- from power strokes to fine finish strokes.  It was out of print for many years but is now back and there are also used versions available from the usual sources.

Thanks @kmealy, I have Wiiles book and his son's too! I have scoured both of them to no end. I have them by my bedside and read them and reference them. They are my Slojd Bible's. 

You can see my reviews of the books here.

https://thepatriotwoodworker.com/forums/forum/79-wood-carving-book-reviews/

Thanks Keith!

Looks good!  You look to be well under way with spoons.  I haven’t worked much green wood but the bit of green turning that I have done has been pleasant.  Things just cut easier.  Look forward to the end result.

15 hours ago, Bundoman said:

Looks good!  You look to be well under way with spoons.  I haven’t worked much green wood but the bit of green turning that I have done has been pleasant.  Things just cut easier.  Look forward to the end result.

Thanks Bundo! I have made several since this topic, here's a few, and still at it! They are fun and relaxing.

 

Didn’t realize I was so far back in the posts when I commented on this so apologize for that.  But, I stand by my original comments and again must say...lookin good!  I like the grain in the Silkwood.

14 hours ago, Bundoman said:

Didn’t realize I was so far back in the posts when I commented on this so apologize for that.  But, I stand by my original comments and again must say...lookin good!  I like the grain in the Silkwood.

Thanks Bundoman! I really love carving these. I can sit out under our tree and woodwork in a 4' diameter area, no shop needed!

The thing I have seen recently is to "bake" the carved spoons.   It turns them dark brown.  Not sure what it does to the tensile strength.

1 hour ago, kmealy said:

The thing I have seen recently is to "bake" the carved spoons.   It turns them dark brown.  Not sure what it does to the tensile strength.

Well, it would dry them in a hurry. When too much heat is used in drying lumber too fast, it gets " case hardened". Which might be a good thing for spoons and, the like.