How to Make a Rod-shaped Scottish Spurtle

A spurtle is Scottish wooden kitchen utensil used to stir oatmeal (or porridge) when the grain needed to be cooked for long periods. The tradition rod-shaped spurtle helped to eliminate lumps, and its rounded shape fit well where the sides and bottom of the pan meet. You can also make the Americanized version of the spurtle—a cross between a spoon and a spatula.

Supplies and Equipment

• 9" to 12" length ¾" hardwood dowel
• Center finder tool
• Proxxon MICRO Woodturning Lathe DB 250
• Proxxon MICRO Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E

Instructions

1. Using the center finder tool, mark the center of one end of the dowel. Mount the dowel in the lathe.
   
2. Shape the end of the spurtle.
   
3. Use the point of a skew tool to scribe a groove where the bands will be. Use a wire burner on the handle end to burn decorative rings into the wood at these grooves. The wire burner is made by securing the ends of a ~12" length of wire to two handles.
   
4. Remove the spurtle from the lathe, and remove waste with the bandsaw.
   
5. Finish shaping the end of the spurtle on the disc sander.
   
6. Finish sanding the end and round the handle with the Delta sander. Here the Delta sander is mounted in the precision vise, which allows me to use both hands to control the work piece. Finish sanding with progressively finer grits of sandpaper, and polish with a food-safe wood oil.
   
7. Enjoy!!

   

Carole