Here’s a couple of backpacker spoons. One is for getting into a mountain house bag the other for a kit bag.
That's a brilliant idea. I just got a long slender branch from a red maple tree and was wondering what to do with it.
Adding beef stroganoff to your knuckles while backpacking a few days makes for an unpleasant week. Especially when I use my pants for a napkin! Same issue with the tuna packs I often carry. They make for an even more unpleasant aroma! Haven’t tried it out, but I made it longer than the standard packs.
I've been working this piece of red maple for two days now. I had another spoon roughed out. It was the same sort of design as the soup spoons you see in Japanese restaurants. But I put too much pressure on the end and accidentally snapped it in half while shaping the bowl. I'm not going to make this one as "dainty".
Thank you much. It's been a comfortable little blade to use for extended periods. It's coming along nicely.
Started a new Kuksa cup today. I am using Ancient Kauri wood which is about 50,000 years old from New Zealand. It is going to be a 2 handed bowl/
A little more work today and the first coat of wood conditioner. The conditioner has made it a lot easier to see the scratches and dings. I am going to let is dry out for a few days and go over it with a finer sand paper..
@Kaw-liga Thank you! This is the farthest I have gotten on a Kuksa style cup. Normally I have issues with cracking. But I found a local business that is a big time wood importer and sells high quality USA wood. Managed to get a nice piece to start with and so far no cracking
I'm gonna try something new with this one. Butcher block conditioner and a few minutes in the oven at 350°F. Anyone have a preferred method for finishing/conditioning?
@Kaw-liga I bought the same butcher block conditioner to use on the above kuksa. I believe it says to treat with the other “conditioner” the probably sold right next to it first. I did not use the other bottle first. I believe I read that the other bottle is supposed to “moisturize” the wood first. When applying the one you have i noticed it seems rather “greasy” at first probably from the wax. I used a cotton cloth to almost “buff” the cup which warmed up the wax enough to soak into the wood better and wasn’t as greasy. The cup was still a little greasy thou so I have been leaving it out to dry for a few days then re applying more. One thing I did notice was I could tell when I had put on to much as it leaves a little waxy residue when dry.
Thanks Dane, and you're right. I noticed a second bottle of oil which had a similar label to this one. When I got home and read the instructions it did recommend a 2 part process - oil first then condition. Don't tell my wife, she's quick to remind me that I don't follow directions well! It darkened the wood a bit to heat and apply the conditioner. I'll have to drag out my buffing cloths or felt wheels. That's one thing I've not done yet. Thanks again partner!
Here's my latest spoon. I screwed up the last long one I carved. I left more meat on the neck of this one. Apparently I enjoy snapping them in half there.