Wooden Utensil Carving – Thoughts and Things I’ve Learned

Another goal I have this year is to try out wood utensil carving! I’ve tried wood carving in the past, but never did functional items. It fascinates me to be able to use something everyday that you made by hand, especially something so useful. I love using wood in the kitchen, and have been learning so much before diving in. (trying out so many new hobbies/skills is expensive, so I have to pace myself) But I wanted a resource for myself of things I’ve learned, and will add my attempts and thoughts when I get to that point. For now, enjoy this compilation of useful information!

Types of wood to use in the kitchen:

Dense hardwoods make great general use kitchen utensils due to their hardness, fine grain, and small pores. These include: Birch, Apple, Pear, and Maple. Other types of wood that will work: olive, most fruit wood, walnut, mesquite.

Not all hardwoods are okay to use for kitchenware. Soft hardwoods don’t work well, as they cannot take the every day abuse. Poplars (aspen) are an example of this. Open grained woods will not work well either, the pores will retain food, fats, and oils. This results in the wood turning rancid, washing will not help. Oaks, and Ash are examples of open grain/pore wood.

Favorite book resources: