Reddit reviews BeaverCraft S13 Wood Carving Tools Set for Spoon Carving 3 Knives in Tools Roll Leather Strop and Polishing Compound Hook Sloyd Detail Knife (Right-Handed Spoon Carving Knives)

I would start off with Wood Carving Tools Set for Spoon Carving 3 Knives in Tools Roll Leather Strop and Polishing Compound Hook Sloyd Detail Knife (Right-Handed Spoon Carving Knives) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0792BXHBD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_l9wiDbTA50CPG

I bought and used these tools. There are better tools out there, but these are okay to start with. The knives aren’t set perfectly inside the handles so I hammered wood wedges in the sides to keep the blade from wiggling in the handle. The wooden handles are made out of olive wood (I think) and they are a little bulky. I had to carve down a little of the handle myself to fit it in my hand. My biggest issue with this product is that the tool roll they come in is not waxed or waterproofed. So if you get the roll wet with the tools inside, they will rust.
It’s always good to start out with the inexpensive tools first before moving on to the pricier ones.
I still use these knives here.

This is what I started with and still use. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0792BXHBD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks! The two things I tried to improve for #2 were handle and bowl width. The first spoon was very unbalanced (the bowl was too heavy) and I was afraid the handle would snap with just a little torque.

I started the first handle by cutting the very end down to what I thought would be the proper width, and then I started working my way up the handle, trying to match that width. But as I tried evening out each section, the whole thing kept getting thinner and thinner, until it became way thinner than I had originally planned. So with the second handle, I basically worked my way up and down the length of the handle as I went (taking off an 1/8 inch or so at a time). I left it thicker intentionally until the "end" of the project, so that any evening out I did wouldn't cause it to become too thin again.

For the bowl, I just cut closer to the edge on the second try. As u/Ddosvulcan suggested, I tried pushing the limits to see how thin I could get it.

For tools, I got this knife set on Amazon and these wood blocks. I did not have gloves for the first spoon. I picked up a pair of those and really like them (link here). I also sanded and oiled the second one, and that made a big difference aesthetically.

Edit: I almost forgot, this video helped a lot with learning the basic cuts!

For those interested in carving, I replied to another post with some recommendations for gettings started. Here's that reply:

Here's a list I put together on Amazon. You can do most everything you would want with these basic tools at right around $150. I listed some alternatives in the comments on each item on the Amazon list. You may have or can find a used saw and small axe or hatchet that would work fine.

Basic Greenwood Carving Tools
If you are just starting out with carving, these are the basic tools that I recommend:

• 1. The wet/dry sandpaper - fix any dings or knicks in your blade and bring it to a sharp edge.
     
• 2. Strop - sharpen blades to a razor edge.
     
• 3.Mora 106 - standard knife for carving
  
• 4. Mora 164 - hook knife for curved cuts like the bowl of a spoon.
     
• 5. Husqvarna Hatchet - a good choice for a first axe. Easy to obtain and solid.
     
     Other:
     Folding hand saw - break down wood into more manageable sizes. The folding saws are nice because the blade is kept safe (and so are your fingers!). Any saw will work, though.
     
     
• Spoon Carving On A Budget by Spoon Carving With Tom - Youtube. He's a good resource for getting started with spoon carving.
  
  
• Woodsman's Finest Recommendation for a starter set of knives. It also comes with a strop and tool roll to store your blades
  Here's the specific kit he recommends.. I've not used these, but this guy is a pretty accomplished carver.