Spon: A Guide to Spoon Carving and the New Wood Culture [Hardcover] [May 25, 2017] Barn The Spoon Hardcover – May 25, 2017

I cannot believe low little information is given. I'm 84 pages in and I've learned less than 10 discrete bits of useful information. "There is more information in the online learning section of the Green Wood Guild website" has been listed as an excuse multiple times already for making not this book useful IN THE LEAST. I'm completely stunned by how many positive reviews this book has recieved. In his chapter on tools he swings drastically from too vague to super specific (in that order, here some generic stuff about knives but also here's information about sharpening them that is impossible to decipher without pictures and using terminology you probably aren't familiar with). I'm peeved. Oh an instead of giving you any advice about how to go about selecting an ax, he basically says to make your own...he teaches a workshop for what-if course!

I'm fairly new to greenwood carving. Mostly spoons. I've bought several books to see how others approach this pass time. This book is by far the one that I would recommend to anyone interested in starting out or furthering thier spoon carving.It is obvious that Barn cared enough to take the time to make it easily understood. Full of insights and usable information at a real price.

I’m a hobby woodworker and like any woodworker love the feeling of wood in my hand with a hand tool. So naturally this book seemed worth a try. Well...Not only does Barn show, describe and demystify a variety of techniques, he also shows you how to keep yourself out of the ER! Perhaps the most outstanding element of this book is simply the writing. Barn’s eloquence with words makes this book a joy to read. The man is clearly a closet academic - such a gorgeous writer! It leaves the reader with that Sunday afternoon whittle the wood while sitting on a log in the middle of the woods feeling. My wife, an avid reader, but a woman who has never picked up a saw simply loves to pick up this book. I highly recommend Spoon - it’s simply a masterpiece!

If you are thinking of learning how to carve spoons this is a must have book. Out of the 3 or 4 spoon books that I looked through this one was the one that I decided to buy. It is an enjoyable read with beautiful full color pictures of many kinds and styles of spoons. Most important of all he gives you pages of instructions on how to carve each spoon he has pictured. If you're like me and want to get just one spoon carving book this would be it.

I love wooden spoons, always have. I was perusing spoons on amazon for the first time (I usually want to hold them before purchasing) and I saw this book in my search results. I’m not a wood carver though I definitely whittled as a kid. The book is a good read, conversational and has lots of accessible info. It inspired me to buy some carving tools and who knows, maybe I’ll start making tons of spoons. Funny how looking for one thing can lead down a new road to a fun new adventure.

This is a great book by one of the master green wood crafters and professional spoon carvers in the UK. Few people have developed the craft to this extent. Good for the beginner through seasoned carver. Beautiful designs and lots of examples of axing out technique, and knife holds for carving. I recommend this book highly for those interested in spoon, scoop, or server carving.

Book arrived slightly damaged on top of the spine and the front cover was convex. Opening it up, it seemed to be long drawn out but informative.Discusses the minimum tools Required and walks you through 16 different spoon designs.While it is a well put together book, I will be returning it for another selection.

Great book., would not hesitate to buy it again. If you have never made a spoon this book will give you a good kick start. Well written and easy to understand. Even though the book has some great photography, it could use a few more illustrations of the processs used to carve. That’s the reason for a rating of four.

I have read a number of books in this area and this is by far the best. Older books cover the grips but this is a modern book with good photos. I have met Barn and clearly he is without doubt one of the world experts on carving wooden spoons. That does not mean the book will be good but it is well written, has good photos and even like the physical binding that is better than normal. Great that he does not resort to telling you how to use sandpaper like some books do in this area. Also has useful section on spoon design that I liked as a more experienced carver looking for new ideas

I'm a year into the 'spoon thing': an art, or craft or both? I did a one day course with one of Barn's apprentices and have kept on practising since. I've looked into some books but until now hadn't found one that encapsulated what it is to do this unusual activity. Barn not only talks about the nitty gritty of knife grips and tool choice but also goes into the philosophy behind whittling spoons.

having just started spoon carving I've bought half a dozen books on the subject and this one is the muts nuts. plenty of waffle and pretty pictures in the others but this book does what it says on the tin. if I had bought this one first I could have saved myself a few quid .Barn the spoon is a right character and makes the book really interesting too.Gaz

I came to this book through attending one of Barn’s spoon carving workshops and it conveys his thoughtful but unfinicky approach to making spoons in a very readable and accessible way. The photographs illustrate how the nature of greenwood, the process of making and a deep understanding of function all inform the design of these simple but beautiful spoons. The 16 spoons are perfect apprentice pieces because the process of making each spoon teaches you something new about working with wood. Spoon carving takes me out of my day to day worries and preoccupations to a place of joyful focus and concentration and this book is a proving to be a great guide – I thoroughly recommend it.

The contents is ways the heart of a book, and here the contents excels. The information in the boom is delivered in a calm and educational manner with some wonderful pictures to accompany the techniques.This review gets three stars because the book cover and bi dings are very poor quality. The spine has already come detatched, the front image is already peeling from the cheap cardboard cover. I feel like this boom would t stand the test of time and will fall apart easily.