Wooden Spreader

Posted 3 July 2020

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The main focus of this simple project is to learn how to both laminate and then shape wood into useful kitchen projects using only conventional hand tools. The result is a nice implement, and the skills are readily transferable to a wide range of other projects ranging from table tennis bat handles to fly swats.

27 Comments

    1. The video has the dimensions 13″ long 7/8″ wide 3/8″ thick for the light coloured wood. The darker wood will be slightly narrower. and less than quarter of the 13″ as Paul made two spreaders from one 13″ piece.

      2. Really enjoyed the video Paul. I will be making these for Christmas presents this year for sure.
        You used Sycamore for your blades, are there any woods that you would avoid using for food applications?
        Thanks

        1. Spreaders are normally the first thing you do to practise your knife skills in Sweden and are more or less compulsory when you start the school woodworking at 9 years age. So add on to Paul’s spreader with some whittling.
          Here are some inspiration:
          https://www.pinterest.se/gertrudrune/tr%C3%A4sl%C3%B6jd-sm%C3%B6rkniv/
          https://hemslojden.org/2018/12/smorkniv-ur-hemslojdens-julkalender/
          http://www.mariashemslojd.cybersite.nu/sortiment.html?pcp=11787

          The traditional wood is of course juniper – smells good, abundent, easy to whittle, withstands water, doesn’t rot and keeps the butter fresh.

  4. I have some linden and some cherry from the log pile that will become some of these. I will probably also do a couple of larger versions like the spatula from the Christmas presents video as well. Will make a nice set for SWMBO.

    2. Well, mineral oil can have its own issues., including blocking vitamin and carotinoid absorption. Mineral oil not from the pharmacy not made for internal use can have carcinogens.

      Vegetable oils don’t,go rancid all that readily at room temperatures. My wife is a cook. She just threw out a bottle of her mother’s that was maybe 15 years old. If it goes rancid, you will surely know. (I have an Italian friend who insists all olive oil sold in the USA is rancid.)
      Some oils like coconut, flaxseed, sesame walnut ( most of the nut oils) and canola are quite resistant. And if you are using them regularly and washing after use, the real problem will be having to constantly renew them. Adding some beeswax or using polimerizing oils like flax or even walnut also helps the oils stay on the wooden ware.

      Any of the vegetable oils high in Omega 3 fatty acids hardly ever go rancid, and if they do, you can smell it. I have a jar of coconut oil in the shop I use for lubricating things that has sat for years and not gone rancid.

      1. There is really no need to oil at all, as you anyway will wash it after use and wash away the oil, be it mineral or vegetble. Linseed oil which you allow to harden will stay somewhat longer, but will eventually dissapear as well. Traditionally you used juniper which contains its own oil. Again – the butter you spread will re-oil it every day and keep it in shape. You will wear out the blade long before the wood is dried out. A spreading knife normally stays for 6-7 years of daily use.

    3. Hi John,

      Paul says:
      Use whichever oil you want, I’m never sure where this came from but people are always telling me that vegetable oil goes rancid on kitchen utensils, I’ve never had this problem.

      Kind Regards,
      Izzy

  8. Nice project! Very useful and good looking as well. I might suggest as finish treating the same as your butcher block or cutting boards if you already do. Treat the bare wood liberally with food-grade mineral oil pharmacy grade meets that standard and is inexpensive. Buff out excess oil then use butcher block wax which is basically beeswax and carnauba wax mixed in mineral oil to form paste wax. I mention this as it’s another woodworking staple you can make yourself.

  9. Just I when believe I’ve seen Paul share every woodworking project imaginable. He manages to present another useful piece of work. I use organic flax seed on any utensil that contacts food. Now to the scrap bin. Thanks again Paul.

  11. Simple – yes. Cool – Yes!
    So glad to see this one. I have twin 8 year old grandkids coming in two weeks. We have a project for them! Plus I plan to make a big batch for some for church friends.

  13. “It’s good for pates, cream cheeses, butter, a whole variety of jams and jellies. . . .” What about peanut butter! Kidding aside, looking forward to making this. So great to see such care devoted to a small, simple object.

  15. As soon as I saw this video I recognised the spreader as the same type (although not as fancy looking but still made of wood) as we’ve been using for butter in the last 15 years, that we got from Sweden. They were sold in the airport gift shop. I know it’s only a spreader but it’s the blade shape that really seems to make it the perfect tool for the job.

    A great way of using up scraps and makes a great little gift.

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