# Best Spoon Carving Hook Knives: Right-Hand, Left-Hand and Double-Edge Source: https://carvingbench.com/best/best-spoon-carving-hook-knife Publisher: Carving Bench. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://carvingbench.com/how-we-pick A hook knife, also sold as a spoon carving knife, hollows the bowl of a spoon, and the listings differ in three ways that matter before you buy. First, the edge side. A single-edge knife is made for one hand: a right-handed carver needs the right-hand version, a left-handed carver the left-hand one, and a wrong-hand knife is a standard cause of skipping and tearing. A double-edge knife cuts in both directions and works in either hand, but it has no dull back to push with the thumb. Second, the curve: a tight bend suits small, deep bowls, an open one suits wide spoons, cups and kuksas. Third, the steel and whether the knife is stated to arrive sharp. For a first eating spoon, a single-edge knife made for your own carving hand is the plain choice. This guide compares seven hook knives by edge side, steel, stated bend or size, and sheath, using only what each Amazon listing states. Nothing here was tested. ## Picks ### 1. BeaverCraft Spoon Carving Hook Knife SK1 - Spoon Carving Tools Right-Handed - Crooked Whittling Knife for Spoons Kuksa Bowls and Cups, Whittling Tools for Beginners and Professional Carvers Edge: Right-handed; Steel: High-carbon steel; Bend or size: not stated; Sheath: not stated A right-handed hook knife with a high-carbon steel blade and an oak handle, listed as sharpened and polished for use right away. A plain first hook knife for a right-handed carver hollowing a spoon bowl. What the listing offers: - The title and the handle bullet both state it is made for right-handed carvers, so the blade orientation is not a guess. - The blade is high-carbon steel, described as sharpened and polished so the knife is ready to use right away. - The handle is oak, shaped for a secure grip according to the listing, and the knife is aimed at spoons, kuksa cups and bowls. Limits to know: - The listing gives no curve diameter or blade length, so you cannot compare how tight the bend is. - No sheath is mentioned in this listing, and the steel grade and hardness are not stated. ### 2. Morakniv 164 Left-Handed Stainless Steel Hook Knife With Leather Sheath For Wood Carving Edge: Left-handed; Steel: 12C27 stainless steel; Bend or size: 0.5 in radius, 2.2 in blade; Sheath: Leather sheath The left-handed Morakniv 164: a 2.2 inch (55 mm) blade with an open 0.5 inch radius curve in Swedish 12C27 stainless steel, a birch handle and a leather sheath. The most fully specified knife in this guide. What the listing offers: - The listing states both the blade length, 2.2 inches (55 mm), and the curve, an open 0.5 inch radius, so you know the shape before buying. - The blade is Swedish 12C27 stainless steel, a named grade, where most listings here say only high-carbon steel. - A vegetable-tanned leather sheath is included, and the handle is oiled Scandinavian birch. Limits to know: - This listing is the left-handed version only: a right-handed carver needs a different listing. - The listing gives no hardness figure and does not say outright that the edge arrives ready to use. ### 3. BeaverCraft Hook Knife Wood Spoon Carving Tools SK1L - Spoon Carving Knife for Bowls Spoons Kuksa and Cups - Crooked Whittling Knives Left-Handed - Whittling Tools for Carvers Edge: Left-handed, single bevel; Steel: High-carbon steel; Bend or size: not stated; Sheath: not stated The left-handed BeaverCraft hook knife: a single-bevel high-carbon steel blade on an oak handle, listed as sharpened and polished out of the box. A direct answer for a left-handed carver starting spoons. What the listing offers: - The listing states it is designed specifically for left-handed carvers, with the blade oriented and the handle shaped for the left hand. - It has a single-bevel cutting edge in hardened high-carbon steel, professionally sharpened and polished, ready to use out of the box. - The handle is oak finished with natural linseed oil. Limits to know: - No curve diameter or blade length is given, so the tightness of the bend cannot be compared. - No sheath is mentioned, and the steel grade and hardness are not stated. ### 4. FLEXCUT Left-Handed Hook Knife, with High-Carbon Steel Blade, Ergonomic Ash Handle, (KNL26) Edge: Left-handed; Steel: 1095 high carbon steel; Bend or size: 7/8 in blade; Sheath: not stated A small left-handed hook knife from Flexcut with a 7/8 inch blade in 1095 high carbon steel and an ash handle, listed as ready to use out of the package. Suits a left-handed carver who wants a compact hook. What the listing offers: - The 7/8 inch blade is stated to be oriented for left-handed carvers. - The steel grade is named: 1095 high carbon steel, described as ready to use right out of the package. - The handle is ash hardwood, and the listing says Flexcut makes its tools in Erie, Pennsylvania. Limits to know: - 7/8 inch is the shortest blade length stated in this guide, and the curve diameter itself is not given. - No sheath is mentioned, and this listing is the left-handed version only. ### 5. STRYI Double-Sided Spoon Carving Hook Knife - 35mm Wood Carving Tool for Bowls, Kuksas & Ladles - High Carbon Steel Crooked Knife - Professional Woodworking Hand Tool for Beginners & Pros Edge: Double-sided; Steel: W1-7 carbon, 60-62 HRC; Bend or size: 35 mm diameter; Sheath: not stated A double-sided hook knife with a stated 35 mm diameter curve, W1-7 high-carbon steel at 60-62 HRC and an oak handle. For a carver who wants one knife that cuts in both directions in either hand. What the listing offers: - The 35 mm blade is sharpened on both sides for carving in both directions, and the listing states left and right-handed use. - Steel and hardness are both stated: W1-7 high-carbon steel at 60-62 HRC, the only hardness figure in this guide. - The listing says it arrives sharp, and the oak handle is finished with natural linseed oil. Limits to know: - Blade length is not stated: the listing gives only the 35 mm curve diameter. - No sheath is mentioned, which matters more on a knife sharpened on both sides. ### 6. BeaverCraft Spoon Carving Hook Knife SK5 2" - Double Sided Sharpening Curved Wood Carving Knife for Bowls, Cups, Crooked - for Professional Carvers and Beginners Edge: Double-sided sharpening; Steel: High-carbon steel; Bend or size: 2 in (per title); Sheath: not stated A BeaverCraft hook knife with double-sided sharpening, a high-carbon steel blade and a longer handle for one or two hands. For a carver who wants to cut in both directions without choosing a hand. What the listing offers: - The title states double-sided sharpening and the bullets describe two bevels, so it is not tied to one hand. - The blade is hardened high-carbon steel, sharpened and polished to be used right out of the box. - The handle is made longer so you can work with one or both hands, according to the listing. Limits to know: - The listing does not say what the 2 inch figure in the title measures, and gives no curve diameter. - Both sides are sharpened, so there is no dull back edge to push with the thumb, and no sheath is mentioned. ### 7. BeaverCraft Hook knife Wood Carving SK2 Long Knives Spoon Carving Tools 1.2'' Long handle 12'' Spoon Knife Wood Carving Tools Bowl Kuksa Carving Tool Double-Edged Crooked Knife Edge: Double-edged; Steel: High-carbon steel; Bend or size: 1.2 in, 12 in handle; Sheath: not stated A double-edged hook knife on a 12 inch long handle, with 1.2 inches given as the blade size in the title. The title aims it at bowls and kuksa as well as spoons, a different tool from the short-handled hooks in this guide. What the listing offers: - The title states a double-edged blade and a 12 inch long handle, the only long-handled hook knife in this guide. - The blade is hardened high-carbon steel, sharpened and polished to be used right out of the box. - The listing says the edge is meant for both softwoods and hardwoods such as oak or walnut. Limits to know: - The bullets repeat each other and never explain the 1.2 inch figure or the long handle: both come from the title only. - No sheath is mentioned and the handle wood is not stated. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.