Now, we’re getting somewhere. I’ve sanded with 90, 120, and 220 grit sandpaper and the wood is starting to come to life.

Some folks don’t like the grey growth rings in holly, and they bleach them out with chlorine or sulfur. I prefer to leave them in.

Smoother now, and a nicer shape overall.

I’ve done the first round of sanding in the second pic, but I’ll have to wait for the wood to dry to do the second round.

Now, I’ll start hollowing out the inside of the spoon using a hook knife.

Make sure you slice across the grain, especially when you’re getting started.

There we go! That’s a bit more symmetrical and spoon-like.

I always carve spoons from wet wood. Every once and a while one will split as it dries, but it’s so much easier to carve wet wood, it’s worth the risk!

Here’s the roughed out spoon shape, I cut this with a bandsaw.

In a pinch you can make these cuts with a small hatchet or a large knife. But I’m home, so I have a bandsaw handy.

Next, I’ll start refining the shape with a whittling knife