5 Easy Tips To Quickly Improve Your Spoons That Don't Involve Carving
The best way to improve your spoon carving is to carve lots of spoons. Getting the reps in is the fastest route to improvement in any field. That said, here are 5 tips that will help you get more out of your time spent carving.
Sharpen Your Tools
In all the classes I’ve taught where students have brought their own tools, they’ve been in need of a sharpen. Heck, I have tools that could do with some work.
SHARPEN ALL THE THINGS!
You know your tools should be sharp. Spending time getting good at sharpening will improve your carving. Sharpening is a skill, give it the time and effort it deserves.
Use Better Material
One of these is not like the others
When I started out, I was precious about every scrap of wood I had painstakingly collected. I was trying to make silk purses out of pigs ears. Working with twisted grain, knots and bark inclusion teaches lessons of its own, but you’re more likely to carve better spoons when you’re using nicer wood. Don’t be afraid to give up on an obstinate log and seek out cleaner grain.
Bright, Directional Light
I love lamp
Having a bright source of hard light will mercilessly cast unevenness into harsh relief. Soft, wraparound light is perfect for flattering photos, but blasting a bare bulb across your work at a low angle will reveal bumps, grain tear-out and other messes you may have missed.
Start With The End In Mind
Have a clear design goal before you start carving. I’ve written about this in more detail here. Have an intended function for you spoon, create a design and only then start carving. Thinking about what elements your spoon will benefit from having before you begin gives you a greater chance of success than trying to incorporate those elements at the last minute.
Be In Good Condition To Carve
Stretching feels good
Take care of yourself. Make sure you’re well hydrated, getting enough sleep and eating well. Regular, gentle stretching will help you perform carving actions with full range of motion. Exercise will help give you the strength to perform at a high level for longer.
Bonus Tip: Subscribe to my newsletter
Scientific fact that my newsletter subscribers are better looking, funnier in conversation, more respected at social gatherings and better spoon carvers. Get all these benefits here.
