Five tips for better finishing cuts | Understanding Knife-Finish | Greenwood spoon carving tips (#4)

00:00 - #1: Moisture Content
00:52 - #2: Sharp Tools
02:16 - #3: Light cuts
04:43 - #4: Take your time!
07:20 - Importance of natural light
08:50 - handle facets
11:40 - Outside rim of the bowl
12:30 - Cleaning up small jaggies - bottom of the bowl
13:10 - Handle symmetry
14:20 - Chamfers
17:13 - #5 Burnishing and oil/wax finish


A good knife-finish is something that baffles most newcomers to spooncarving. It takes a lot of practice to achieve, so lets put away the sandpaper, and here are five tips to help you along your way!

If you're practicing your knife finish and it just isn't turning out how you like, it's time to accept the spoon as it is, and move onto the next one with lessons learned. My advice is to not be precious or fuss endlessly over your spoons - each one is a learning opportunity and the next will be better.

I've talked through my whole finishing process in this video, while I work on a black birch long handled teaspoon / parfait spoon. Check my previous videos on sharpening if you need a brush up.

The biggest takeaway from this video should be to keep your knives as sharp as you can get them, and to do your final cuts in good natural light.

Happy carving!