These last several months have been all about spoon carving. Ok, it was really all about sailing and cooking but still, spoon carving was definitely hanging in there as top 3 activities to do underway. I typically always bring my carving knives aboard and get crafty during my down time but this past trip was different. This was a freakin’ craft cruise! Everyone in the crew, be it the professional mariner or students members arrived with a ridiculous amount of crafty talent. I’m talking knitting, sewing, painting, music, etc. Seriously, if I wasn’t already geeked out about spoon carving then I think I may have felt “less than”.

JK! These were awesome people and not the type to create inferiority complexes. Rather, they were an inclusive bunch, excited to share their skills and equally excited to learn from each other. Being around that kind of energy is contagious so it should be of no surprise that there are lots of new spoon carvers in the world. I actually didn’t carve much because my knives were always on loan but honestly, that is exactly how I like it! There is nothing better than sharing my passion with others. That’s an easy win when it comes to food and perhaps too “routine” to get my blood pumping. But spoon carving… that’s different! Walking someone through the steps and encouraging them to continue feels like a metaphor for the guidance I crave in my own life. I can’t tell you of the countless time I’ve questioned my choices, seeking direction in a world that rarely provides concrete answers. This craving has become all the more ravenous as I move forward without my parents, increasingly aware that my journey is solo. “Am I doing this right?” nags at me constantly when what I want is a simple “Yes”.

“Yes” is my latest mantra. “Yes” is what I can tell you when you ask me if you should keep going. Sliver by sliver, and shave by shave, the slightest removal of wood is progress. The parts of a spoon in my mind have their own metaphors ingrained but before that’s relevant, you just have to believe you can. Self-doubt is a ubiquitous demon and if we listened to that voice we’d never get anywhere. Turn the volume down on that one and listen instead to the whispers of “yes” calling for your attention. I’m pretty sure they’re cries and we just can’t hear them with all the noise.

So, I’m not sure who needs to hear this (#me, currently raising my hand) but little by little, if you just keep going, you’ll find the feeling your looking for. You’ll find it because you’ll make it yourself by way of crafting your own tools and carving your own path. When you question if you can, just tell yourself “yes”, cause even just a sliver, or the smallest of shavings, is an intentional practice of making life fit squarely into your hands.

Above are some images of wooden spoons carved aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer during the C-295 sail around the Gulf of Mexico. These are not my spoons but just proof that anyone can carve a beautiful kitchen tool. You can too! You can make coffee scoops, tasting spoons, mixing spoon, spice spoons, etc... Spoons on spoons on spoons! There are so many option. All you need is your knife and some time. Make time to take time…

Speaking of time, we couldn’t make as many spoons as we wanted due to knife shortages. There was pent up demand for the hooked blade and I only had the “right” hook with me so we were a bit limited on Craft Cruise production. However, since returning I have made it my goal to source more knives but of course Covid has done me no favors. There appears to be lots of supply line issue in the knife world that have been holding up my orders. And yes, there are lots of knives out there but I am hesitant to suggest using anything I’m not familiar with personally. With that being said I have found a solution! I have restocked my knives with a 5 piece lock-jaw set-up which are the same knives I use in my classes. I initially started using this design imagining I might have to replace blades over time however, I’ve been teaching carving for over 6 years now and I’ve yet to need to swap them. So, rather than try and source two different knives when they are hard to come by, I’ve instead opted to provide a 5 piece lock-jaw set-up. Five pieces sounds like a lot but it’s not. It’s just an all-in-one design that comes with a Left, Right, and Straight edged blades, along with the lock-jaw handle and a small wrench to secure the fit. If you’ve taken any of my classes before than you are likely already familiar with the design but for anyone curious how these hook blades differ from the sloyd style ones you may have used, I can tell you they are much the same. The motion is the same, the technique is the same; it’s really very much the same. The difference is mostly blade size. My sloyd blades have a tighter hook and can occasionally limit a spoon carver when it comes to creating the bowl shape. These hooked blades that come with the lock-jaw handle are slightly shorter with a more open “hook” proving the carver a bit more flexibility when creating their wooden spoon bowl shape. They are both great knives and I will continue to carry them when they are available, but finding quality sloyd hook knives lately has been difficult. I’m restocking those as I find them and I’m also introducing the lock-jaw design for wider availability. Woot, woot! Who doesn’t love options?

If you’re looking to try out spoon carving before purchasing knives check out my upcoming events. I might be in your area and can’t wait to get you addicted to the craft! I’m also looking forward to offering virtual classes this year so let me know if you are in need. I’m putting together an online workshop and can include you in the details.

Carve on!