Fascinating - as well as educational. It reminded me of when I was a little kid and if I didn't have any money I'd try (and succeed - albeit badly) carving 'Happy Birthday' into a bar of cheap soap for my dad. When he died, we found them all hidden away in his bedside cabinet. Because he was a more practical than sentimental man, I'm sure he was just saving them up in case of a nuclear holocaust.

@stevemorris3710

2 жыл бұрын

No, I bet he took them out occasionally and appreciated you doing it, what a lovely story.

@3nertia

Жыл бұрын

That's a lovely story; thank you for sharing! Sorry about your dad *hug*

And we're all together again. Who needs to make spoons for head space and stillness when we've got Nick's caaaalm voice? Then with the POV filming and the tea-slurp sound effect, it's like we're making it ourselves.

@billhighway5162

2 жыл бұрын

My thoughts exactly… 😂

I started carving spoons 2 years ago. Totally agree with you as how it helps with your mental state of mind. In a time where we are becoming less and less present something like carving a spoon brings you into the here and now. You have to focus on what you are doing, otherwise you will either ruin the spoon or slice your finger off. I suffer from complex PTSD and carving really helps me - troubles, anxieties, anger etc all melt away, because I am in the here and now, not ruminating on past events. I have had people ask me why I do not buy a spoon or use a power tool to speed up the process, but are missing the point. It brings peace, order and focus to a mind that will run away with itself if left unchecked. Great content and keep it coming.

I've come back to this video several times now. I like what you say about head space.

I really enjoyed your video. I got several useful things from this.The oiling saying was very useful. I have never heard that before. Thank you for sharing.

Am a First time carver. Was wondering about willow cuz I have LOTS! THANKS SO MUCH 👍

Mind relaxed just watching this!

@robch4414

2 жыл бұрын

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 Your videos are a weekly treat Nick. Always providing lots to think about and learn. This one made me wonder whether as well as using embers to burn out the bowl of a spoon you could also use a wider diameter bowdrill..?

With two children and a wife at home and struggling with a business that gave me moderate to severe depression and then an overdose attempt I can remember that when I came out of hospital (luckily somebody found me on the beach just about to go to sleep) I went back to basics. Wild camping in the woods on the south downs and funnily enough carving a wooden spoon. From there I imagined the future I wanted and wrote it down on paper. Two years later I had sold my business, retrained for IT and I am now working for a great forward thinking company, Sky TV, and I am 53 years old. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it and nature, bushcraft and a bit of meditation are a great platform to build on. Thanks so much for a great channel with amazing instruction, you really are changing people's lives for the better. Stefan

Thanks. Learnt a lot watching that.

Thanks Nick. For 20 minutes I was back in your beautiful woodland carving a spoon! Got myself a crook knife so I can finish my first attempt.

Mom passed away Easter Sunday 2022, spoon and knife craving has helped me re-focus my thoughts and get a few moments of clear mind.

Nice and helpful video! Love the scenery!

You opening statement, “headspace” totally agree, sat in the back garden in the evening after finishing off all the chores, Sit down and carve, I videoed myself carving a spoon the other day and was completely oblivious of the noise from the neighbours until I watched the video back.

As a beginner wood carver, I appreciate your statement that carving nourishes the soul. Many people find that sentimemt difficult to understand and may not see the meaning of carving for many people as the journey, and not the destination. Much appreciated video!

@3nertia

Жыл бұрын

Just recently I revealed my desire to carve wood to a friend and he suggested I could make money with it and I had to explain to him that the purpose wasn't money heh Everything in this life is about money, feels like ...

Thanks for making the video. I learned.

I'm a beginner woodcrafter. Subsequently I have watched several (a lot) of spoon carving videos. Yours, by far, is the most detailed and comprehensive tutorial I have watched. You have a very well balanced style to teach beginners like me.

@TheShurikenZone

6 ай бұрын

Have you seen the Adam Hawker tutorial? This guy's handiwork is the crayon drawing equivalent of what a spoon should be.

I see carving in woods very therapeutic and relaxing helps my depression and anxiety sometimes a bird or squirrel comes out curious if I has any food I offer them something about being in woods is just I don’t know what I love it I subscribe greetings from Essex I make shillelaghs and spoons as I love a challenge 🇮🇹🇬🇧🐾🦊🍀

Decided to carve a spoon from a fallen Ash branch from my garden. Only used my pocket knife, just to see if I could. Let’s face it if you decide to carve a spoon when you have about 50 metal ones sitting in the kitchen behind you, reason has gone out the window. Gotta be honest, felt like coming home. Very relaxing and rewarding. Highly recommended.

@suecollins3246

2 жыл бұрын

Matt, I think it's a _different kind_ of reason. I want to make something that isn't a piece of cheap tin/plastic shit that's Made In China! Make nice gifts, too.

I don’t know about spoon carving to quiet the mind. Just watching and listening to the video made me so relaxed. Thanks.

that’s one more reason that I like watching bushcrafters from England. Sitting and watching and…wait for it: stop everything to go ‘put the kettle on for a brew’! At 2:45 it was for a cup of tea in this one🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿. Rarely fails. Gotta love it. Thanks! 🫖

Lovely video once again Nick 👌🏼

that pebble trick was brilliant

Thanks, you speak the truth about needing to clear your head. Todays world make that more important than ever! Appreciate your time!!

I have a 10 year old daughter who can truly use this in her life we're going to learn together ❤

Very helpful. Thank you.

OK so I just got my first ever bushcraft knife which is a Morakniv companion and I am giving this a go. Thanks for the tips and inspiration and yes I am just gonna try to make the spoon with the knife and nothing else as that's all I have at the moment :))

@coolguy2012ca

Жыл бұрын

same i think im going to try to burn out some of the hole as its hard to complete with just the knife

if you'll leave a part of wood on the top of the spoon head before carving the spoonhole... you will have a better control because you can use it as a handle part....

Thank you for the great tip

Great video Nick! I picked up spoon carving about 10 years ago and found it really helped bring me back to center and helped calm the ptsd. It's like a moving meditation. Everything else drops away and it's just you, the wood, your tools, and nature. A perfect way to spend a few hours. Have a great week sir.

I love the fact you said “don’t lose your pencil” tell me one time when we haven’t searched the earth and moon for a pencil or a pen we just put down 🤣

@susanp.collins7834

7 ай бұрын

My problem is my spectacles. I'm considering selling them to the US Military as a secret weapon. When I put them down they VANISH!

Good info thanks

Thanks for showing us your methods ,ive been doing some woodland things for mental health issues and it led me into small character carvings following Doug Linaker ,and im going to start making spoons Following you lol im looking forward to having ago ,ive made a spoon carving block which im pleased with save by back i couldn't keep squat or bent down like you did . ive liked and subd you ,Greetings from Wales , Ant .

Like many, I find whittling & carving very relaxing. I've now lost count of the spoons, paper knives, knife/fork/spoons sets, ladles etc that I have. Some of the early ones should be retired to the log basket, but I haven't the heart as they almost become friends during construction. Keep up the good work!

USnavy i did 2 spoons 1st with a random stick. 2nd with a blank. Both where dead wood. They definitely get better with time. Also WAY better if you take time and don't rush. This is another way of proving the BF right. "Some times you get there faster by going slow" there = spoon or anything else in life you want done well.

Hello Nick. I have just now found your bushcraft video’s. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I am thoroughly enjoying and learning so much from you. Please continue teaching. AND….Thank You for your military service.

Top work 👏

Thank you for your duty, sir! I`ve seen a lot of your videos, but this one is the best of all!!! All the breakdown in little steps makes it so easy to understand. It is the art of teaching...understanding, and break it down in small units to make it understandable for everyone! To build a bridge between the knowing and the unknowing is a ART! Thanks a lot.

Fantastic. I've just started carving spoons, only on my 3rd but really enjoying it. Really useful video

Nice. Just nice 😎

My 1st ever spoon was dead flat, I was really pleased with it until I tried to use it 😂. The next time I carved the bowl at an angle and this made it a great soup spoon or small ladle, but again it was a little awkward to use. It was only when I finally learned to put a crank in it where the handle meets the bowl that I was truly happy that I’d made an ergonomic usable general purpose spoon. 🙂

I've been carving spoons and woods crafting for years always great to see another crafters technique. Excellent video my friend cheers from Nebraska

That's actually exactly the reason why I wanted to try this - to clear my head from the craziness and noise around.

I find tying flies is very similar in the way it gives me that headspace and focus on the present. Also, when you go catching & get one with your newly built fly… man that’s a great feeling! Thanks Nick for everything your doing!

Great tutorial on simple spoon making. Thanks.

I believe what you said at the beginning of the video about why carve out a spoon. That's why I do it. Also to get better at creating something.

I've been sitting at home with COVID for a few days and decided to have a go at carving. Made my first tiny spoon (and a lot of mess) from some shelving. It's not pretty, but was a great distraction. Thanks for the video!

Thank you for this, Nick.

A great explanation of how to do this. Thank you. I really appreciated the “why” do this. I couldn’t understand why not just bring a spoon. Thank you so much.

Fascinating thank you..we've come so far away even to know how to make a spoon ..thank you for the knowledge love your videos Sir God bless

Really liked that oil me once rhyme at the end. I will definitely try to make a spoon one day. Thanks for the video.

Great video

I never comment but that was so informative, I just had to say thank you - now to get a set of tools :)

Thanks for that, I have carved a few crude spoons and even used them but it's always helpful to listen to someone who knows their subject so I've picked up some tips from you. I use walnut oil from the supermarket which is cheap and food friendly. I love the way that everything else vanishes when I'm making stuff, it's so good for you. Thanks again

Thank you so much for sharing your video. I am a beginner, and your step by step introductions are worth to follow. I’ll do my first project and apply your introductions. Thank you so much.

Thanks for this video! Lots of information, easy to understand.

Chuckling to myself getting a Dremel advert 👍

You make this look so easy nick .I guess practice makes perfect lol

I don’t do much carving normally. My Nana taught me to crochet when I was a boy, so to quiet my head I’ll make a hat or a scarf or something. However, I recently purchased a set of hobby knives from a surplus store. I might give this a try, if I can find the right piece of lumber.

I finally got a crook knife, I have wanted to get one for some time. I have fone some carving before, but I'm getting back into it again. Nice video, thanks.

Yes new video been waiting 👏💖

Mindfulness and working with the hands are really great ways to let go of the past. Thanks for making these videos. I'm new to the channel and you have really inspired me to think about bush craft.

Great video & very informative!

Really well done, compliment Greeting from Nord Italy

Best tutorial ever! Thanks a lot, it was super useful... going to try it soon :)

Fantastic totally lose track of time just solidly focused on the spoon. Helps with my depression/anxiety too

it looks very theraputic in the forest away from the hustle n bustle

Very good video. You explained everything so well. I am a stone carver and look forward to trying this in wood.

I've never carved a spoon but feel confident I could do from this video. I have carved a letter opener and a scoop from makori using a utility / razor knife. Thank you.

Great Video, I'm sort of on a 'try it out' streak of things off KZread camping/vanlife/bushcraft vids, and carving a spoon has just definately got added to the list of things to do

this has been the BEST video I've watched for beginners. Thank you!! You are an excellent teacher. You've gained a new sub. :)

Fantastuc tutorial. Been following you for quite some time and watched many of your uploads, thankyou for you in depth content and for sharing your wisdom my friend.

Love this, Being from wales and living in wales the wooden spoon is a high part of our culture check it out people welsh love spoons, blessings all

Awesome video. I was just looking for something with info about the very center of a branch/log and why it needs to be removed. Yours was the first vid I watched and you just so happened to explain the "pit." Thanks!

Thank you. Will try it out next time with a willow too. :-) Nice spoons! And besides: relaxing, informative and well done video as always.

If you guys use a knife to split wood make sure it's full tang so it won't break it! Happy bushcrafting/carving!

When I first starting looking for ideas to craft in the bush it was just because I needed a way to make money while I escape the crazy towns in the U.S. (the bush is also a great way to escape) so you really hit the nail on the head. I now sell my spoons really for what ever people want to offer for them but generally get between 2$ and 25$ but have gotten as much as 200$ for a spoon. Which really helps me cover supplies needed from time to time so I can stay in the bush. Just had to say thanks while I am in a wifi spot.

@danmano478

Жыл бұрын

What hatchet do you use?

Just subscribed to your channel thank you sir 👍🤝

Thanks Nick! Well done. I’ve always wanted to find the time to try this. Could I request a video on how you made that bark sheath?

I started whittling in Lockdown, did a spoon and a little wood sprite totemesque thing... However upon trying a second sprite, cut straight through my thumb (didn't chop off, its fine now and I was wearing some decent woodcutting gloves). Now however I'm hesitant at getting back to it. I loved it though and should probably take it up again!!!

Wow, something new to learn, nice video. 👍

@phuaphua4301

3 жыл бұрын

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 Thanks you, have a pleasant weekend 😊take care, 😊

Spurtles and Spoons, can easily pass a couple of hours thinking about nothing else but the image of your finished article. Sat round many a fire comparing works in progress and finished spoons, Steve in the corner would always pull out a big old ladle he’s been chopping away at in the woods. The grip you show is very well known to anyone who has hand milked cattle or goats, I had planned a video on that exact grip using a knife. Those last three fingers on each hand are only there for balance.

I have to admire such craftmanship. I'd have to keep counting to ten on my fingers and hoping I'd reach 10 each time, if you know what I mean lol.

Strange you posting this video, I've just ordered myself a spoon carving kit. Very good video as always and informative

Love your work man. Also, you seem to be avoiding the word 'wrist'

There is the peacefulness of carving, yes. And the fact that spoons have a habit of not making it into your pack 😝

Just found your channel and already binged most of the videos, this is really informative stuff! Subscribed to get the latest vids when they're out. I like the oil rule of thumb at the end, just one question: when's a good time to start using the craft functionally (eg. stirring tea, eating, etc) ? Instantly, after a few days of oiling, or wait a few weeks/months?

Oil…… you might want to suggest using a non-toxic food safe oil that doesn’t go rancid. The oils you can buy to treat your kitchen cooking spoons does the trick very nicely.

Thanks for sharing this. I've been wanting to try this for some time now and think it'll be on my projects for the winter camps. I thought about using birch for this, as I know an area that has a load cut regularly. Would you say birch is a recommended wood?

Hi nick new subscriber to your channel. Well I have suffered from mental health problems since I was 12 years old and it took my childhood away from me and having a father who used me as a punch bag destroyed my confidence and made me feel worthless ,but 44 years living with this illness has taught me to take each day as it comes . Now I started to learn to spoon carve about 3 years ago I have an allotment so that was a perfect place to do my carving or so I thought until one day I got a call to say my shed had been broken into ,when I got there they had everything all my carving tools axe even my kettle and tin mug..I was gutted and ended up in dark place yet again but now I'm back and just bought a new mora spoon knive along with the normal knive it's a start. Now just need to save for a new axe ..and off I will go caving again ..sorry it's a long reply but never be ashamed of mental health issues..loving you videos thank you .

@suecollins3246

Жыл бұрын

Nidge, my 'thing' is shaping scoops - not spoons but scoops - out of pieces of wood 2.5cm x 2.5 cm x 10cm. I don't whittle, I start getting the basic shape by sanding aggressively on 50grit sandpaper that I've pinned to a board. Then I shape it with a little drum sander attached to a rotary tool. Then I sand by hand with sandpaper gradually working up to 600grit. I end up with a flat handle with a rounded end and a scoop at the other end. Great fun.

@suecollins3246

Жыл бұрын

Sorry - that should read 17cm...

@nidge2822

Жыл бұрын

@@suecollins3246 hi sue that sounds a good way to make scoops, I'm hoping to try making a kuksa 2nd attempt lol .times are difficult at the moment as I'm nursing my wife back to health after major cancer surgery ,and shes doing great no signs of it anywhere else so not spread. But I shall get back to my carving soon 😀

I’m in serious need for some bushcraft tools. This seems like the perfect task to sit in the sun and listen to nature. Could you do a video on tree identification? I know I could google it, but the way you dish out info is just super digestible.

@fistsmcnasty

2 жыл бұрын

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 looking forward to it!

Great video! But is there a safer way to use that crook knife technique so that it doesn't skin your thumb?

👍

Nicely instructed, thank you. Green willow is a good suggestion. I would have guessed to hollow out the inside of the bowl before shaping the outside. Why don’t you recommend to do it that way? The surface smoothing and compression “with a pebble” technique went by kind of fast. I understand the effect and why, but the how to part isn’t as clear to me. And the bent knife is a gift from the carving gods, aih?

And, if you carve a great big, long bowl, you can call it a dugout canoe!

I find the wood splitter/small drawknife, I think it is a Mora, that some Bushcraft stores stock, the one with two wooden handles, very useful when doing small wood jobs, in addition to my knife. It is light, compact and easy to make a tubular sheath for. Does anyone else use one?

"You call that a knife? _This_ is a knife" "But that's a spoon" "Ah, you've played knifey-spoony before then mate"

Great! Doesn't it split later if you carve out while green? I guess not if you keep oiling it and using it :)

Could you tell me what is the difference starting with green wood or a dead dry piece?

Great video! I'm going to give it a try soon. I liked the mint tea idea too, was that literally just mint leaves ripped up and added to boiling water? Will try that as well! Are there any special cleaning tips once the spoons have been used (e.g. domestic cleaning chemicals or products etc) or do you just use boiling water?

@JP89SE3

2 жыл бұрын

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 Thanks, I thought as much. I make various bits and pieces out of wood already but I've yet to make anything "bushcraft" so wondered if the rules were any different given it is food related! Cheers.

Mate, buy a 2B pencil, not a HB one!! You'll see the difference when you draw a line... Nice video tutorial!!