Aaah the hook knife. This specialized carving tool might look intimidating at first, but it's actually one of the most rewarding tools to master for anyone interested in functional wood carving.
If you've ever admired a beautifully carved wooden spoon or wondered how carvers create those smooth, flowing curves inside bowls and utensils, you've likely encountered the work of a hook knife.
Whether you're a complete beginner curious about spoon carving or a whittler with figure carving experience looking to expand your toolkit, this article will help you understand everything about hook knives and answer the most common questions we've heard.
What is a Hook Knife Used for in Carving?
A hook knife is a specialized wood carving tool with a curved blade. Unlike straight carving knives that cut in linear motions, hook knives are designed specifically to carve concave surfaces and hollow-out areas in wood. And also unlike straight carving knives, a hook knife can be sharp on either side.
The primary applications for hook knives include:
Spoon and Utensil Carving - The most common use is hollowing out spoon bowls, ladles, and other eating utensils. The curved blade allows carvers to create smooth surfaces while controlling the depth and shape of the bowl.
Bowl and Container Making - Hook knives excel at creating small decorative bowls, salt cellars, wooden cups, and shallow dishes.
Detail Work in Larger Carvings - Beyond functional items, hook knives add concave details to relief carvings, create realistic features like eye sockets in face carvings, and add texture to flat surfaces.
Traditional Crafts - Hook knives are integral to Native American and Scandinavian spoon carving traditions, making them essential for anyone interested in historical woodworking techniques.
Beginner tip - This may seem obvious, but always double check which side of the hook knife is the sharp side before pushing your thumb into it to carve. I've seen a number of carvers absent mindedly push a hook knife blade with their opposite thumb, only to find that it's a left handed knife, or a double sided knife, in which case hopefully Band-Aids are handy.
Do You Need a Hook Knife to Carve a Spoon?
This is one of the most common questions from beginners, and the honest answer is: you can carve a spoon without one, but the technique and experience will be significantly different.
Alternatives to Hook Knives:
- Straight gouges can hollow out shallow spoon bowls, often requiring a mallet and more setup, like something to secure the wood
- Multiple small cuts with straight knives can create hollow areas, but the process is much slower and less controlled, and you likely won't get the finished result you're looking for
- Bent gouges and spoon gouges are the best alternative to hook knives. These tools allow you to scoop out the bowl and create hollowed out surfaces. Like straight gouges, it's necessary to secure your work when carving with a gouge.
The Benefits of Using a Hook Knife:
- Superior control - The pulling motion provides exceptional control over cut depth and direction
- Efficient material removal - Hook knives remove material quickly while maintaining smooth surfaces
- Better surface finish - The slicing action creates cleaner cuts than chopping or scraping motions
- Traditional authenticity - Essential for authentic traditional spoon carving techniques
For serious spoon carving, a sharp hook knife transforms the experience from a struggle to a pleasure. And the fact you can hollow out your spoon or bowl from anywhere, without needing a dedicated work surface or clamps makes carving with a hook knife all the more appealing. Many spoon carvers find it indispensable once they try it.
What is the Best Knife for Carving Spoons?
Spoon carving requires multiple tools working together. Here's what you need for the complete process:
1. Straight Carving Knife or Sloyd Knife - Before using a hook knife, you need a quality straight carving knife to shape the exterior, carve the handle, and create the basic form.
2. Hook Knife - For the bowl portion, a hook knife is irreplaceable, unless you're using a bent gouge or spoon carving gouge. The best ones feature an appropriate curve radius (not too tight or too gentle), sharp high-quality steel, and comfortable handles for repetitive pulling motions. Once you get serious, you can get different hook knives for different projects - some with a shallower curve, and others with a more traditional U shaped curve.
3. Detail Knife - A smaller knife for refining details and making final adjustments to both the bowl and handle.
For beginners serious about spoon carving, our 5pc Whittling & Spoon Carving Knife Set offers specialized blade shapes ideal for spoon work, along with premium leather sheaths and a canvas tool roll for organization.
How Do You Carve a Spoon?
Although everyone had their own techniques and idiosyncrasies, you can follow a systematic approach to spoon carving with specific tools for each phase:
Phase 1: Roughing Out (Adz or Axe + Straight Carving Knife or Sloyd Knife)
- Split or saw the spoon blank from larger wood
- Rough out the basic spoon profile and shape the handle
- Define the transition between handle and bowl
- Create the outer curve of the spoon bowl
Phase 2: Bowl Hollowing (Hook Knife or Spoon Gouge)
- Remove material from the bowl area
- Create the concave interior surface
- Control bowl depth and shape
- Smooth the interior surfaces
Phase 3: Refinement (Detail Knife)
- Fine-tune the handle shape and smooth rough areas
- Adjust the bowl rim and perfect transition areas
- Create any decorative elements
Phase 4: Finishing
- Sand to final smoothness and apply food-safe finish if desired
What Size Gouge is Best for Spoon Carving?
Like we mentioned, certain gouges can be used instead of a hook knife. I've actually found that using both is the best if you have both available. There are times, especially when working with a harder wood, when being able to scoop out the bowl of the spoon using the leverage of a spoon gouge makes the process much easier.
The best size gouge depends on the size of the project. Pick the gouge to fit the project. Whichever size you determine is the right fit, you'll want to use a bent gouge, like the one pictured below. The angle allows you to carve a concave surface in a way that is more difficult with a straight gouge.
#7-20mm Bent Gouges
Spoon Gouge
Spoon gouges come in a variety of widths. Again, picking the right size will depend on how big your project is. Below is an example of an 8mm spoon gouge from Schaaf Tools 12pc Wood Carving Set.
Where Gouges May Fall Short
- Control limitations when used improperly - pushing motions with a full size gouge are harder to control than hook knife pulling motions if a beginner doesn't have the proper technique and work setup
- Surface finish - smaller gouge cuts can leave faceted surfaces that require more smoothing
- Access issues - straight gouges can't reach bowl areas as effectively as curved hook knives, long-bent gouges and spoon gouges
- Barrier to Entry - You need a dedicated work space and something to secure your work when carving with a gouge. One nice thing about spoon carving knives is you can carve with them anywhere
If you'd like to use gouges, check out our 12pc Beginner Set, which includes an 8mm spoon carving gouge as well as a 20mm long-bent gouge, both suitable for carving out concave surfaces, and both solid additions to your hook knife for making spoons.
How to Use a Hook Carving Knife
Learning proper hook knife technique is essential for both safety and results. We'll cover this in more detail in another article, but here's a summary for now.
Safety First
Before beginning any hook knife work:
- Wear cut-resistant safety gloves, thumb guards, or safety tape on your non-dominant hand
- Double check to make sure your hook knife isn't double sided
- Keep fingers well away from the cutting path
- Never cut toward any part of your body
- Keep tools properly sharpened (dull tools are dangerous)
Basic Hook Knife Techniques
The Fundamental Grip:
- Hold the hook knife handle firmly in your dominant hand
- Position your thumb along the top of the handle for control
- Keep your wrist straight and relaxed
- Your non-dominant hand controls and rotates the workpiece
The Basic Pulling Cut:
- Start with the hook blade positioned at the edge of the area to be hollowed
- Apply downward pressure while pulling the blade toward you
- Follow the natural curve of the blade
- Take thin, controlled shavings rather than heavy cuts
The Scooping Motion:
- Begin each cut at the rim of the bowl area
- Pull the blade in a smooth arc following its natural curve
- Gradually increase depth as you work toward the center
- Rotate the workpiece frequently to maintain even hollowing
Step-by-Step Bowl Carving Process
- Mark Your Bowl Outline - Draw the bowl perimeter on your spoon blank, starting with simple shapes
- Create Entry Points - Use a straight knife to make small entry cuts around the perimeter to prevent splitting
- Begin Hollowing - Start with light, shallow cuts around the perimeter, working in a spiral pattern from outside toward center
- Deepen Gradually - Make multiple passes, each slightly deeper, constantly rotating the spoon
- Refine the Surface - Use lighter cuts to smooth ridges and check for consistent wall thickness
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Cutting too aggressively - Always take light, consistent shavings
- Poor blade angle - Keep the blade at approximately 30 degrees to the wood surface
- Not rotating the work - Constantly rotate the piece to maintain consistent curves
- Using dull tools - Keep tools sharp using our Diamond Sharpening Stone and Leather Strop Block
Choosing and Maintaining Your Hook Knife
When selecting your first hook knife, look for:
- High-carbon steel for edge retention
- Comfortable handle for extended use
- Moderate curve radius (1-1.25") for versatility
- Sharp edge straight from the manufacturer
For maintenance, hook knives require special attention due to their curved blade. Most have a single bevel on the inside surface - never sharpen the wrong side or you'll ruin the tool's geometry. Use curved slip stones for the inside curve and finish with a leather strop.
Sharpening your hook knife is one of the trickiest parts of using the tool - It's not quite as straight forward as sharpening most of your other knives. But with a good tutorial, and practice, even a beginner can confidently sharpen and hone a good hook knife.
Getting Started with Hook Knives
For beginners on a budget, we recommend starting with our 3pc Whittling & Spoon Carving Knife Set. , which comes with three durable, sharp knives (including a hook) basswood for carving, a spoon blank, beginner tutorials and more.
For those looking for more, our 5pc Whittling & Spoon Carving Knife Set comes with an additional shallow hook knife, and a chip knife, giving carvers the ability to do chip carving projects, and specialized spoon and bowl carving projects. Either set will allow you to master basic carving skills and beyond.
Remember to always prioritize safety with proper Cut-Resistant Safety Gloves and maintain your tools with quality sharpening equipment.
Conclusion
The hook knife opens up a world of functional woodworking that creates beautiful, useful objects while connecting you with traditional craftsmanship. Start with simple projects, focus on proper technique, and gradually challenge yourself with more complex designs.
Ready to begin your spoon carving journey? Start building your skills with the right tools and safety equipment, and you'll soon be creating your own handcrafted wooden utensils that will last for generations.
What type of spoon would you like to carve first? Share your questions in the comments below!