I am in my element, ha ha... everything smells of burnt sawdust...

It's been a few days, maybe a week since I worked on the spoon.

A combination of that special kind of nagging guilt that pushes me to continue with a project, and having some time to spare saw me grinding away at it, again...

Using a chisel to carve the groove into the handle is slow work... it takes a lot of time, and patience and care, and oops I slipped and cut myself again... ha ha... wrap a rag round my finger while I go hunting for a band aid, ha ha...

It's just easier to use the the grinding wheel...

So, groove number one, of two, is coming along...

There's the groove to cut, and then there's the shoulders of the groove to sand....

So there's more work to it than I remember, ha ha....

I've set myself an end date for the project of Christmas, that way I can put it down for three or four days, or a week... and not feel too bad that I'm not devoting every spare moment of my time to it, ha ha...

🙂

And here's a little something which might make you smile...

Be well, people...

🙂

It looks like the dreaded round two, the Second Wave of the toilet paper crisis is about to hit...

Once more, it's "Virus? What Virus? It's all about the unthinking, mindless hoarding...", ha ha...

I've got one of those "Minis" - the micro sized grocery items that Coles handed out...

It's a little 12 pack of Kleenex loo paper.

I've half a mind to put it on a chain, for wearing around the neck - Bling for the new age we live in...

Now there's a status symbol with a difference, ha ha...

Keep on keeping on... It's just Another crisis...

We survived the last one, doubtless we'll all look back and laugh at this one, too...

(And groan, no doubt, when the next one comes along).

I do wish people would find more productive ways of passing their time than by slavishly following every trend that comes along, but if it keeps them amused, then it can't be all bad, and think what the sudden flood of spending does for the economy... ha ha...

Hang in there, people.

🙂

Necklace, you say?

🙂

I thought an update might amuse you... ha ha...

I'm "half way " there, or thereabouts, with the spoon...

The first groove has been cut in, and the shoulders sanded a bit rounder...

But there's still more to go...

And here's a close-up of the handle...

The fine line is where the second groove will go...

Once that's done, and the shoulders are sanded back a bit, I can get to and start working on giving it a bit more of a finished look...

🙂

And if I Really feel like it... ha ha... I could always carve another four and a half inch long spoon, and then, just to see if it's possible, carve a spiral into it's handle...

If I Really felt like it, of course... ha ha...

🙂

Looking good Ecar, but watch those sharp blades.

Same goes for Tas.

And both of you are aware that there are whittling tools designed for this craft, not just pocket knives, no matter how good they are?

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=whittling+tools&tbm=isch&chips=q:whittling+tools,g_1:beginner:6lx...

I've got a good set of whittling tools, and carving chisels... enough to keep me happy, ha ha...

When I started out, all I had was a pocket knife, and I didn't go to the expense and trouble of getting more tools because I didn't know if I'd want to keep on whittling...

It's a bit of a toss up - should you spend money on tools you're not going to use more than once?

A pocket knife is good enough for that first "make or break" project - if the enthusiasm lasts, then I recommend getting better suited tools for the job.

If you're looking seriously at whittling / wood carving, then this is as good a set as any, to start with.

A medium length blade, a longer blade, a U curve gouge and a V shaped gouge.

If you really wanted to, you could carve a spoon with this set...

Or just carve a pattern into a spoon... Whatever works for you.. ha ha...

Additionally, you'll want what they call a slip strop, and sharpening compound, too, in order for you to keep the blades nice and sharp.

There are videos available to show you how to use it...

And by now you're probably wondering how much this is all going to cost... ha ha...

I'll leave you to do the calculations for yourself...

The tools, et al, aren't cheap, but if you're serious, they're a good investment.

🙂