What kind of oil do I need to protect a wooden spoon or bowl after I’ve hand-carved it?
Greenwood carving drying and oiling tips
We carve fresh/green wood because fresh wood is easier, faster and therefore safer to carve with hand tools. The downfall is it can warp or crack if it dries too quickly. So you want to dry the wood slowly, but also not so slow that it starts to mold. So it’s a matter of finding balance. A cool dry place is ideal.
What oil to use to protect a hand carved wooden spoon or bowl?
Most greenwood carvers suggest Walnut, linseed, grape seed, flax seed or any food grade oil.
Nils Stormlod - a Sloyd consultant who has researched 20-30 different oils in order to find the most suitable for treating carved spoons says: Selder Linseed Oil in a recent Spooncrank interview.
Spooncrank Grundolja refined linseed oil for spoon carving and bowl turners - $18 from Sweden
Why Selder Linseed Oil?
He says it is clean, it doesn’t smell, it doesn’t taste anything, it dries quickly and it doesn’t change colour. Spooncrank sell Selder Refined Linseed Oil, but note it’s $18 and from Sweden, so you may want to source a similar product more locally.
How to oil a hand-carved wooden spoon or bowl?
Pour a little bit of “food safe” oil into your hand and rub the oil into the spoon with your fingers.
Wipe off any excess oil with a piece of tissue.
Leave the spoon in a warm room for 24h.
What oils should you AVOID using to treat your hand carved spoon?
Many try Olive oil but it should be avoided as can turn rancid over time.
Non-drying oils (mineral, coconut, peanut, olive, rapeseed) aren’t good choices. Since they remain liquid they will either slough off into your cooking or get washed off when you next clean the utensil.
Whatever you decide to use, make sure it’s food safe.
Learn to carve a Spoon
Teaching yourself using online tutorials and books will get you far and is how Adrian - here at Joy Farms started. It will take you longer to get good and you may pick up bad habbits. We recommend learning with an experienced spoon carving.
We have a number of 1 day and 1/2 day spoon carving courses - see upcoming dates
If you don’t live near Surrey, feel free to email Adrian for recommendations nearer to you.
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