Many spoon carvers struggle with how to safely and efficiently make a beautiful short spoon. Learn to simultaneously make two 5-inch pocket spoons using this unconventional double-blank technique. Called the “gullwing” method, it was created by teaching artist Liesl Chatman and is designed for safety, minimum wood waste, and carving with reduced hand strength. The method starts with simultaneously profiling two 5” spoons, laid end-to-end in one billet of wood, forming a “gullwing” shape. Next, after using a template for the plane view, the bowls are hollowed out while the two spoons are still connected. After additional shaping with the axe, the spoons can be separated and finishing work including chamfers and facets can be completed. Students will use a basswood billet, so there is no need to concentrate on keeping greenwood moist and hands won’t become as fatigued. The technique, however, also transfers well to greenwood. Plus, students will make their own pocket-sized zine using Liesl’s hand drawn handouts—all sized to be pasted into a Moleskine 3 ½” x 5 ½” notebook.
Required Tools
- Sloyd knife (Mora 120 or similar)
- Hook knife
- Pencil
- Pen
- Strop
Optional Tools
