tea scoops

[Ursinos]

I'm a bit of a woodcarver and am thinking about carving some wooden tea scoops. Anyone familiar with woods (besides the obvious ones like evergreens and hickory and stuff) that might effect the flavor of the tea if used for this function?

I've already actually carved a small one out of basswood just as an experiment. might post a pic later

[Tead Off]

I'm a bit of a woodcarver and am thinking about carving some wooden tea scoops. Anyone familiar with woods (besides the obvious ones like evergreens and hickory and stuff) that might effect the flavor of the tea if used for this function?

I've already actually carved a small one out of basswood just as an experiment. might post a pic later

Hard to imagine any wood affecting the tea for the short time that it comes into contact with the wood. Traditionally, hardwoods are best. Bamboo is the most common in Asia. I would think any exotic hardwood would make a lovely tea scoop if done well.

[Ursinos]

I'm a bit of a woodcarver and am thinking about carving some wooden tea scoops. Anyone familiar with woods (besides the obvious ones like evergreens and hickory and stuff) that might effect the flavor of the tea if used for this function?

I've already actually carved a small one out of basswood just as an experiment. might post a pic later

Hard to imagine any wood affecting the tea for the short time that it comes into contact with the wood. Traditionally, hardwoods are best. Bamboo is the most common in Asia. I would think any exotic hardwood would make a lovely tea scoop if done well.

I was kinda thinking about using a bit of the block of cocobolo I have sitting here

[茶藝-TeaArt08]

So many of the wooden tea tools I've encountered were cheaply made, over-lacquered, or too "factory." I've been making all my own wooden teaware (scoops, picks, trays, pot stands, etc.) for Taiwanese Chayi/茶藝 to fit different settings. Thus far I've used a number of woods but I really like redwood for its variety of colors, its resistance to moisture, and its relative hardness/density,etc. I sand the wood to a 1000 grit. I don't like lacquers or stains on my teaware and seal all my wooden teaware with tea seed oil to bring out the grain. I've also used Chinese Pistachio wood with very nice results, as well as Bamboo, Sierra Juniper, and Aptos Blue. Here are some pictures of a few, sorry for the poor photography.

Juniper:





Aptos Blue Pick, Coastal Redwood Pick Rest, and Chinese Pistachio Scoop:




With Redwood Pick:


Tea Trays made From Weathered Redwood Fencing:


Blessings! (Edited twice: pictures not displaying correctly)

[debunix]

I think cocobolo would be gorgeous, but I think it has resins or oils that are not great taken internally--I'd want it to be well sealed before using it around food.

I do plan to do this one day, when I next dig out the bandsaw, but I was planning on a nice birdseye maple that I can just lightly oil to finish, and that will be a bit more subtle as a backdrop for the tea when I photograph it. But the cocobolo would be more spectacular for everyday use.

[Ursinos]

I think cocobolo would be gorgeous, but I think it has resins or oils that are not great taken internally--I'd want it to be well sealed before using it around food.

I do plan to do this one day, when I next dig out the bandsaw, but I was planning on a nice birdseye maple that I can just lightly oil to finish, and that will be a bit more subtle as a backdrop for the tea when I photograph it. But the cocobolo would be more spectacular for everyday use.

hmm, I usually just use a foodsafe mineral oil to finish my woodcarvings, that or beeswax (which probably isn't a good idea in this application). I'm seeing that cocobolo is a somewhat toxic wood....so maybe not. Maybe I'll split off a bit of the tiger maple block I have sitting here and use that instead....

[Ursinos]

So many of the wooden tea tools I've encountered were cheaply made, over-lacquered, or too "factory." I've been making all my own wooden teaware (scoops, picks, trays, pot stands, etc.) for Taiwanese Chayi/茶藝 to fit different settings. Thus far I've used a number of woods but I really like redwood for its variety of colors, its resistance to moisture, and its relative hardness/density,etc. I sand the wood to a 1000 grit. I don't like lacquers or stains on my teaware and seal all my wooden teaware with tea seed oil to bring out the grain. I've also used Chinese Pistachio wood with very nice results, as well as Bamboo, Sierra Juniper, and Aptos Blue. Here are some pictures of a few, sorry for the poor photography.

some gorgeous pieces there. thanks for sharing. maybe we need a thread to show off your tea utensils

[Tead Off]

Nice stuff, Teaart-08. I've met some people in Korea who only make tea tools. Some are outrageously expensive but masterfully done.

I wouldn't use wood as a pick to unclog tea spouts. This tool has to be flexible. I've been using the same horn pick for 25 years. Very thin and pliable. The wood handle broke off some time ago but the horn just keeps on going.

[chrl42]

Nice stuff, Teaart-08. I've met some people in Korea who only make tea tools. Some are outrageously expensive but masterfully done.

I wouldn't use wood as a pick to unclog tea spouts. This tool has to be flexible. I've been using the same horn pick for 25 years. Very thin and pliable. The wood handle broke off some time ago but the horn just keeps on going.

I saw a jade Puerh knife a Korean guy made the other day, looked flashing!

Korean hand-made silver teawares are sold OK in China, some are in shape of Yixings...pricey though.


btw, those are gorgeous stuffs, teaart! looks classy and selection of woods seems considerable, there are always folks seeking hand-made teawares here and there

[Teaism]

TeaArt08

Very nice scoop you got there!

The general scoop available in market is mostly made of bamboo. I am a fan of wood too. Some precious wood like Huanghuali, Zitan or elm makes a good scoop. Wood like hinoki, amboyna burl, cocobolo, ebony, wedge, also make nice scoop. Perhaps some of the wood crafter here can make some nice scoop and offer them for sale. I would be certainly interested.

[Ursinos]

TeaArt08

Very nice scoop you got there!

The general scoop available in market is mostly made of bamboo. I am a fan of wood too. Some precious wood like Huanghuali, Zitan or elm makes a good scoop. Wood like hinoki, amboyna burl, cocobolo, ebony, wedge, also make nice scoop. Perhaps some of the wood crafter here can make some nice scoop and offer them for sale. I would be certainly interested.

I was actually contemplating carving a couple up and seeing if it was ok to put them in the "tea swap" area lol. I'd gladly swap my woodcarving skills for tea

[TuoChaTea]

I was actually contemplating carving a couple up and seeing if it was ok to put them in the "tea swap" area lol. I'd gladly swap my woodcarving skills for tea

Sure, I think it is a great idea.

[Ursinos]

I was actually contemplating carving a couple up and seeing if it was ok to put them in the "tea swap" area lol. I'd gladly swap my woodcarving skills for tea

Sure, I think it is a great idea.

I better get carving then

[Ursinos]

here we go, pics of the little teascoop I knocked out yesterday. it's all of like 3 inches long, carved out of basswood

[Fabien]

It's probably one of the tea ustensils that was the most difficult to find for me. But Japan is a nice place to find such items :

IMG_5334 modif.jpg (41.52 KiB) Viewed 1530 times

It adds warmth to any tea time.