[null, null, {"document_url": "http://seanhellman.blogspot.com/2011/04/probably-best-eating-spoon-in-world.html", "unformatted_src": "https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BolpysirN0I/TY5OeEfUxKI/AAAAAAAAAtg/SUNPUpbB_PI/s320/blackthornPS.jpg", "src": "https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BolpysirN0I/TY5OeEfUxKI/AAAAAAAAAtg/SUNPUpbB_PI/s320/blackthornPS.jpg", "formatted_filename": "blackthornPS", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 139}, null, null, {"document_url": "http://seanhellman.blogspot.com/2011/04/probably-best-eating-spoon-in-world.html", "unformatted_src": "https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YrbimTzvyf0/TY5OggNFEhI/AAAAAAAAAtk/tyDKFFfLGG8/s320/beech-PS.jpg", "src": "https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YrbimTzvyf0/TY5OggNFEhI/AAAAAAAAAtk/tyDKFFfLGG8/s320/beech-PS.jpg", "formatted_filename": "beech PS", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 143}, null, {"document_url": "http://seanhellman.blogspot.com/2011/04/probably-best-eating-spoon-in-world.html", "unformatted_src": "https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HSKuwYxChLY/TY5OhNqykxI/AAAAAAAAAto/7bwjZ9qnPCw/s320/group-PS.jpg", "src": "https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HSKuwYxChLY/TY5OhNqykxI/AAAAAAAAAto/7bwjZ9qnPCw/s320/group-PS.jpg", "formatted_filename": "group PS", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 201}, null, {"document_url": "http://seanhellman.blogspot.com/2011/04/probably-best-eating-spoon-in-world.html", "unformatted_src": "https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AGgT_Ex-ATw/TY5PWvXF4jI/AAAAAAAAAtw/fhqw5DcS9YA/s320/lacewood-spoon-1.jpg", "src": "https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AGgT_Ex-ATw/TY5PWvXF4jI/AAAAAAAAAtw/fhqw5DcS9YA/s320/lacewood-spoon-1.jpg", "formatted_filename": "lacewood spoon", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 159}, null, {"document_url": "http://seanhellman.blogspot.com/2011/04/probably-best-eating-spoon-in-world.html", "unformatted_src": "https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hqOtPAssZKQ/TY5PXJIdkyI/AAAAAAAAAt0/apVUQGOxTk0/s320/lacewood-spoon-2.jpg", "src": "https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hqOtPAssZKQ/TY5PXJIdkyI/AAAAAAAAAt0/apVUQGOxTk0/s320/lacewood-spoon-2.jpg", "formatted_filename": "lacewood spoon", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 172}, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://seanhellman.blogspot.com/2011/04/probably-best-eating-spoon-in-world.html", "unformatted_src": "//lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KNKRNmXOUuc/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAABeM/nTh07R9KCsc/s80-c/photo.jpg", "src": "http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KNKRNmXOUuc/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAABeM/nTh07R9KCsc/s80-c/photo.jpg", "formatted_filename": "photo", "alt_text": "My photo", "rendered_width": 80, "rendered_height": 80}, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]

Probably the best eating spoon in the world

Hubris has not taken over my soul, and I do not believe that there is a perfect this or that. I believe we can get close, but the thing is, we are all individuals with our own likes, ways of moving, doing things etc. What is perfect for you may not be perfect for me.
However, I embarked on a project a few years ago: to make the perfect eating spoon - and for me, I have made it. How long this will last I do not know, I may make another spoon I fall in love with, that is perfect for me at that time. I realise that spoons are often specialized implements, suited for serving, cooking, eating, and racing. There are many perfect spoons and crap ones as well.What is important in a spoon is not only how it performs, but design and aesthetics, and the story that goes with it.
I have taught green wood work for many years now. In the past I got very caught up in the notion that people had to make a good spoon, turning, etc. I realised slowly that it is the process of making, the process of learning a new skill that is important, not the final outcome. We all have to practice and it is only through making and doing that we improve. I was in Cornwall with my family on holiday, camping in our bell tent, when I made this spoon. Cloutie tree at Madron Holy Well. It has been a tradition to tie cloth or personal objects to trees at Holy wells as a prayer or offering
We visited a few Holy wells and when visiting Madron Well there was a lot of small trees and shrubs cut down to improve access to the site. I of course had to take a small log, no more that 2 inches diameter back to the camp site. The wood was blackthorn, the shape of the wood dictated the shape of the spoon and you can see the pith on top of the handle.
The spoon is asymmetrical, the handle round in cross section, with it arcing in a compound curve. I love this spoon and have used it for over 4 years now.
In using the spoon I found that it was in fact a very good eating spoon. The flat end of the bowl which fits up to and into the mouth at that perfect angle, for me.
The curve in the handle fitted me and the act of getting food from plate to mouth was comfortable and natural. I got thinking about ergonomics and design and thought I could make the perfect eating spoon. I have made a few of these spoons, trying to reproduce the same ideas and shapes. Above is a beech spoon that is the "one". These 2 spoons I use every day. My breakfast is eaten with them and when appropriate my dinner. They are used for porridge, soups and casseroles, in fact any food that can be eaten with a spoon. The bowl may be shallow, but it does work well with thin liquids. In fact I think that all eating spoons should have shallow bowls. I do not treat my spoons, they are just wood. They may not last forever, but that is the nature of wood and humans.
As I write this article, I realise that the first proper spoon I made was when I was living under a large but adolescent oak tree, in a teepee. The spoon was going to be a large cooking/ serving spoon. I had a major accident with it, I can not remember the exact details but either a split developed in the bowl or I cut a large portion off it. Out of this disaster I made it into an eating spoon, which in design was similar to this one. I used it or most meals for many years, but spoons can have accidents and this one went the way of most spoons ever made. It was broken beyond repair and went into the fire. I only have a memory of this spoon, no images. Above is a spoon I made for a collector of spoons. What sort of spoon do you make for a collector? I could have made a £400 love spoon, a £200 contemporary spoon, an £8 spoon made as fast as I could.
I made a spoon that had a personal story to it, but I did make it from a beautifully figured wood. London Plane or Lacewood - and it had a lovely tight burr to it as well. It is also sanded, which I do only with some spoons. It is also oiled to bring out the grain and colour. I have been meaning to write this post for some time. I was prompted to do so because a friend, talented green woodworker, and tireless campaigner Robin Wood posted a blog on the perfect cooking spoon. I too have my own take on the cooking spoon, but that is for another post. What I love about this spoon making is that we all come up with our own design and ideas and stories about spoons. We may start off by copying other designs but we soon develop our own unique style, after the first hundred, or so, spoons. Trying to make the perfect spoon is a great way of learning and I urge you all to attempt the perfect spoon.
Posted by Sean Hellman at 21:54