Making Cutlery from Wood: Part One

Start Your Wooden Cutlery Journey — From Raw Wood to First Piece

This is Part One of a complete series on crafting beautiful, functional wooden cutlery by hand. Whether you've never picked up a carving knife or you're looking to refine your technique, this guide gives you the foundation to start making pieces you'll be proud to use at the table.

What's Covered in Part One

• Choosing the right wood species for cutlery (hardness, grain, food safety)
• Essential tools for beginners — what you need and what you can skip
• Setting up your workspace safely and efficiently
• Basic shaping and roughing-out techniques for spoons and forks
• How to read the grain and avoid common beginner mistakes

Part of a Series

Part One lays the groundwork. By the end, you'll have your first piece shaped and ready for finishing — covered in Part Two. Each guide builds on the last, taking you from raw timber to a complete set of handcrafted cutlery.