Handcarved Pearwood Spoon

Securing the green pear log in place to make a 16" section cut to accomodate a 12" long spoon

I read an article that was originally published in British Woodworking Magazine about pear wood, which described it as being one of the finest timbers to use for delicate carving. It is typically used for small projects like cabinets and boxes since it is expensive and rare to come by. The wood itself comes in shades of rosy browns, with no noticeable grain that is "well behaved" and gives way to "silky shavings".

Back in the very beginning of September this year, a fierce wind storm took a toll on the Sterling pear tree, leaving a gaping hole in the crown of the tree where one of the main trunk branches and one or two other larger limbs were torn down. As soon as I'd heard about the damage I went out to collect the fallen fruit and stashed two 50 lb. logs in a safe place where I hoped no one would carry them off to get chipped for mulch or chuck them into the burn pile.

My intent is to further bridge my connection with this tree, to make something practical and useful outside of the delicious food and artwork that I've been pursuing. I'd read in an article by My original plan was to make chopsticks, but when I approached my friend, Ethan, who is a great woodworker, about learning how to use the handtools, he said, "No, you should make a spoon. Chopsticks are too easy."

He proceeded to show me how to select the straightest piece of the branch, smooth out the log with a hatchet, trace out the shape of the spoon, and begin gouging out the outline. I decided to go for a 12" spoon with a somewhat wide scoop to it, which I pictured using to stir pans of sauteing pears or serve grainy salads with.

Seeing as the semester has already ended, I haven't yet had time to go back and finish it, but it's patiently waiting for me out in the snowbank where it will hopefully not dry out and crack (Gospel according to Ethan H.).