‘West Coast Slyod’ Style Carving Tools

I’ve recently retooled my workspace to focus on carving more spoons and small greenwood kitchen tools—spatulas, chopsticks, and similar pieces. Projects at this scale keep my carving rhythm alive between larger projects like feast bowls, paddles, and canoes. To support that, I finally ordered a set of spoon-carving blades shaped in the Sloyd-style tradition.

Sloyd-style spoon carving is a traditional Scandinavian practice that emphasizes handcraft, simplicity, and learning through making. With only a carving knife, hook knife, and axe, the maker shapes a spoon from fresh green wood, attending to both form and function. Rooted in the Sloyd educational philosophy, it values the cultivation of craftsmanship and character through mindful, hands-on practice.

As with most of my carving tools, I sourced the steel blades from reputable makers—but wanted to shape my own handles in the West Coast style I’ve learned from several Indigenous carvers I’ve worked with. For the material, I turned to a favourite: Pacific yew.

The handles are made from Pacific Yew harvested in Tla-o-qui-aht Territory. They began as paddle off-cuts, then became spoon off-cuts before finally taking form as these knife handles. The blades are 52100 high-carbon steel, hand-forged in Ukraine. Blade lashing is done with tarred seine twine, secured with waterproof carpenter’s glue, and finished with beeswax and food-grade mineral oil.

I’ve carved more than twenty spoons with these new handles so far, refining their balance and grip with each project. Another twenty spoons and a bit more shaping, and they might be perfect.

Here’s a look at the process behind this latest set.

Photography: Christopher Roy | @christopherroy