I’ve been looking over the hand carved snuff spoon menu on Mr. Snuff lately. Most are out of stock, but those still on offer seem a bit pricey for what looks like a junior high school woodshop project gone horribly wrong. Nothing personal against the artist; they just don’t seem to warrant the price. Has anyone had any experience with these? I’d like to hear some reviews from folks that have actually used them before I pony up hard earned dollars and end up with a stick that’s had a turn or two in a lathe and a bit of wax polish. I seek out hand crafted artisan items, be they bread, cheese, wine, snuff or tobacco furniture, but I want to make sure the cost is commensurate with the quality of the finished product. I’ll happily pay $75.00 for an elegant snuff spoon that has the ergonomics of snuff taking factored into the engineering and execution of the instrument. I look at these as heirlooms, not just implements. Any feedback appreciated. Cheers

So Daniel, what are your optimum ergonomic wishes for a snuff spoon? This baby was just delivered and I’ve been looking for a first project:

I considered getting one that had a mouse carved on it (go figure, lol), but ended up making one instead, but no mouse… Not all that difficult, just used a band saw and a dremel. Probably too small for one who takes large hits though, but that’s the beauty of making your own.

@Mouse Very well done!

neat old Craftsman lathe; you’re going to have fun with that. Now you’ve got to buy lots of tooling and gauges and rules and scribes and a grinder and then you’re gonna want a milling machine. You’ve been warned, lol.

@mecompco‌ Very nice! You’ll have some fun with that baby. Ever take a hard look at the faux bamboo on a Radice Rind Rusticated? I love that carved rather than sandblasted rustication and the faux bamboo is cool. That would make a nice snuff spoon, slightly curved, like a 1/16 bent stem similar to a prince shape. The bowl of the spoon should be somewhat smaller than the one @crullers‌ picked up at the dollar store; say about 1/4 tsp, or about 1/1000th of crullers’ spoon. =)) About the same size and shape of the bowl on that beautiful piece by @Mouse‌ (that is absolutely gorgeous).

neat old Craftsman lathe; you’re going to have fun with that. Now you’ve got to buy lots of tooling and gauges and rules and scribes and a grinder and then you’re gonna want a milling machine. You’ve been warned, lol.

Thanks, it’s really tight for an oldie. Got it off my gunsmith buddy–he was using it right up until delivery (he finally got his huge Grizzly set up). I hear 'ya on cutting tools, etc. The live center is shot and I need to find a good way to chuck up stummels and he only through in a couple cutting tools. I do have a 1x30 belt sander and a 2.5x36 belt grinder, nice vise and a crappy drill press from when I was interested in knife making so I’m not totally starting from scratch.

@mecompco‌ Very nice! You’ll have some fun with that baby. Ever take a hard look at the faux bamboo on a Radice Rind Rusticated? I love that carved rather than sandblasted rustication and the faux bamboo is cool. That would make a nice snuff spoon, slightly curved, like a 1/16 bent stem similar to a prince shape. The bowl of the spoon should be somewhat smaller than the one @crullers‌ picked up at the dollar store; say about 1/4 tsp, or about 1/1000th of crullers’ spoon. =)) About the same size and shape of the bowl on that beautiful piece by @Mouse‌ (that is absolutely gorgeous).

I’ll check out the “bamboo”! Of course I got the lathe for pipe making, but snuff spoons and tampers (perhaps a combo?) are also of interest. I’ve got a couple small ebauchons I got in a trade on hand, but need to source rod for stems, etc. and more briar. I was sort of thinking a nice part brass, part exotic wood snuff spoon/tamper would be cool. The only thing lacking may be my skill.

neat old Craftsman lathe; you’re going to have fun with that. Now you’ve got to buy lots of tooling and gauges and rules and scribes and a grinder and then you’re gonna want a milling machine. You’ve been warned, lol.

Thanks, it’s really tight for an oldie. Got it off my gunsmith buddy–he was using it right up until delivery (he finally got his huge Grizzly set up). I hear 'ya on cutting tools, etc. The live center is shot and I need to find a good way to chuck up stummels and he only through in a couple cutting tools. I do have a 1x30 belt sander and a 2.5x36 belt grinder, nice vise and a crappy drill press from when I was interested in knife making so I’m not totally starting from scratch.

this site has some of the useful tools… “http://www.pimopipecraft.com/tools.html” littlemachineshop.com has bunches of lathe stuff somewhere I saw a neat chuck for briar blocks but I can’t remember where. There is also a forum for pipe makers “http://www.pipemakersforum.com/”. A note to Mark Tinsky might get you some leads.

I have complete confidence in @mecompco‌ If his skill with tools matches his tastes in snuff we’re in good hands.

I have complete confidence in @mecompco‌ If his skill with tools matches his tastes in snuff we’re in good hands.

Daniel, I’m afraid my lathe skills are lacking, have not touched one since I was a lad. However, I do have a general knowledge of its operation and lots of patience. I’m thinking some 1/4" brass rod (perhaps a little thicker), some fancy turning, a drilled and sculpted snuff pocket and an exotic wood handle would be nice. A piece of brass or steel at the end of the handle would look nice and make a handy tamper. I use a Mr. Snuff titanium spoon and it is great, but the snuff pocket could be a little larger.

@mecompco‌ I’ve got one of those titanium spoons, or rather, used to have one. I gave it to my wife for her WoS Raspberry bumps. The bowl is just too small and too shallow for me. She likes it, so that’s really all that matters; domestic tranquility and all that.

@mecompco‌ I’ve got one of those titanium spoons, or rather, used to have one. I gave it to my wife for her WoS Raspberry bumps. The bowl is just too small and too shallow for me. She likes it, so that’s really all that matters; domestic tranquility and all that.

Yes, that’s my only beef with it. I’m thinking a bowl with at least twice the capacity would be good.

Minimum. Mr. Snuff’s stainless spoon is perfect for dual bumps.

So I’m thinking–the titanium spoon measures ~.350 at it’s largest part (~.286 for the spoon). Do we think something based upon a .4375 (7/16) brass rod would be large enough? I’m thinking of mating the brass rod to a nice exotic wood handle. My though is to leave the spoon bowl almost full width, say .40, drill the snuff reservoir, then sculpt it a bit. The handle would be the same diameter, tapered gradually down along with the brass. I’m also thinking a brass end on the handle for use as a tamper (max dia. of the Chez tool tamper is ~.575). I’m thinking Cocobolo for the handle: http://www.pennstateind.com/store/WX01-1.html. This isn’t going to be a cheap project, but I think it will be a super snuff spoon. Thoughts?

I think I’m getting an erection. :)) :(|) That’s sounds great. No worries on the cost. Heirlooms aren’t cheap. As long as it combines artistry (as in creativity), solid craftsmanship, great materials, serves its purpose and is a thing of beauty it fills in all the blanks for me. If I were looking only for an instrument to transport snuff to nose I’d still be using an old Bic pen cap. I’m looking for an artist like you to make something beautiful. I think I found the right place. Cheers

Materials ordered. Now, any thoughts on the length/proportions? Wood is ~5" long and the brass part can be any length (ordered 12" rods). Titanium spoon is a bit under 4.5" long total. I don’t think I’d want to make them any shorter, but I also don’t want it to be unwieldy. Perhaps 3" of wood and 3" of brass, tapering down to the business end. Too long? Any thoughts?

@mecompco‌ The spoon I use is 4" and I think it’s a great length for me, but I wear a medium in gloves so my hands might be smaller than most, but I think you’re on the right track as far as length and spoon size. I’m excited to see the finished product.

@mecompco‌ The spoon I use is 4" and I think it’s a great length for me, but I wear a medium in gloves so my hands might be smaller than most, but I think you’re on the right track as far as length and spoon size. I’m excited to see the finished product.

Thanks for the input. I bought enough Cocobolo blanks so I can try a variety of sizes. I’ll post pics of the prototype as it comes together. I’m noodling around a plan for the brass-wood joint right now. I’m thinking a tenon-type joint with slow cure epoxy. I could also pin it like I would do for a knife handle, but that might be overkill for a snuff spoon (but then, I appreciate overkill, so I might do it anyway).

For me 5" is about right. A gentle curve for ergonomics and aesthetics and more wood than metal; if 4" of wood and 1" of metal is possible that would work. I think a secure tenon joint would do just fine. If there could be a flat surface tapering to round at the “business end” that would be nice too. Let me know the cost so I can auction off my first born son on ebay. I wonder what 34 year olds go for these days?

That sounds great. My plan is to join wood and metal, turn a nice taper down to the spoon on the lathe, leave the spoon full width, drill the snuff hole, then sculpt with the belt sander and Dremel. The butt end will be full diameter with a brass cap for pipe tamper use (and I think it will look cool). I’ll take pix so we can follow the construction. This will be a learning experience for me, so there may very well be some rejects!

You can send all rejects to Uncle Bodger’s Home for Wayward Snuff Spoons, which is located right next to the Uncle Bodger’s Home for Misfit Snuffs… please send all unwanted snuff there.

Materials are here–the Cocobolo looks awesome. I think I may have gone overboard on the brass rod–.4375 sounded good, but is gonna take a lot of turning. My thought is to leave the rod full-size at the butt end for the tamper, then turn down the diameter for the handle, then taper both down and leave the business end reasonably large. This is going to be a heavy, bullet-proof spoon for sure. We’ll get Turkey Day out of the way, then I’ll post some pix. I’ve got a new live center for the lathe coming–not sure if I’ll need it for this project, so that might delay things.

Bodger, if this is a disaster, I will forward the mess to you forthwith. :)>-

I will be interested in getting some of these new snuff spoons. Look forward to seeing the photos.

@mecompco‌ I will be glad to take them, but I fear your skill and artistry will keep me from my ill gotten gains. Best of luck, I hope it is a great success.

I decided to make a snuff spoon today. I made if out of jelutong. It’s my first attempt at making a snuff spoon. It took me about an hour after failing with a couple pen blanks and I broke one just before shaping the spoon, so all in all I probably invested close to three hours to actually get a spoon that functions. It holds about two to three times the amount of snuff as the titanium spoon I normally use and is 5 2/8 inches long. It also fits really nice just below the nostril and gives an even coating inside the nose.

Very nice spoon, @Jim!

Thanks @fredh.

Very nice! Looks like that will provide a man-sized hit.

Nice.

I know a monk who made snuff spoons out of multiple popsicle sticks that he varnished together (3 thick.)

This thread inspired me to go out to the shop today and make a spoon. This one is ivory…

@HBurlingameIII‌ That is great, very well done.

I decided to make another spoon today. It’s 5 7/8 inches long and made out of cocobolo wood.

That is a beautiful spoon @HBurlingamelll!

@jim that is very cool looking, good job! Looks like you are having some fun.

@jim that is very cool looking, good job! Looks like you are having some fun.

I am enjoying myself and have been inspired by @HBurlingameIII‌’s spoon so tomorrow it’s a deer antler spoon.

Good to see folks putting their hands to good use! Be great to keep this thread going.

Deer antler mini spoon. I have a greater appreciation for @HBurlingamelll’s spoon after trying to do something smaller and more precise.

I made a second deer antler spoon this evening after getting in from dinner. Here it is next to the first one. I can’t stop making snuff spoons!

@Jim well, as they say practice makes perfect. You’re really getting good at them too. The antler ones are my favorite ones so far.

Cheers @Bodger_Boggins‌. I’m probably going to take a break today… I say probably because the temperatures are nice here today so I could work outside, but I must watch the Browns game first. I kind of want to do one more antler spoon to complete a set, or maybe a double spoon for taking in both nostrils at the same time? Who knows? The Browns will probably lose and I’ll get depressed, and come home and take a nap.

Having seen all the true artistry on this thread’s photos, the wooden spoons on Mr. Snuff look more lame than ever. Whoever made them should stop wasting good wood and donate it to someone that knows what they’re doing. @Jim could make better spoons after a few pints of hooch, in a rainstorm, in the dark, than those on Mr. Snuff.

my snuff spoons, and scoops for filling up my days supply.

@SnuffSniffer aka Briar Boy sells on Etsy -https://www.etsy.com/shop/BriarBoy?ref=l2-shop-info-name Hand made snuff spoons and other pipe stuff

For those of you making your own spoons. How are you finishing/staining/varnishing them (if at all) I have been toying around with hand carving but don’t want the finished product to smell like stain or varnish and screw up the scent of my snuff.

for wooden spoons I use carnauba wax and a buffing wheel

I have wild bamboo on the hill behind my house. I was thinking of havesting and drying some of the larger ones for bottles and the smaller ones for snuff spoons.

I love the pics of home carved spoons. Very inspiring. I am retired and have spent a number of years carving walking sticks, etc. which I sell (typical is $150 - $250…and I make knives. So with that history I think snuff spoons should be a natural. What I wanted to do here is share a favorite resource…burl wood. Specifically that which is offered by my preferred vendor: Bad Dog Burl Source. He is a top notch vendor with whom to deal and his burls are mind blowing. http://www.burlsource.com/index.html Scroll down, noting the left side menu, and look at pen blanks, knife scales, etc. I use the stabilized burls frequently and one pen blank should yield several spoons…the knife scales even more. Given the exotic nature of the burls he offers, I can’t help but believe that most any craftsman out there could produce something truly amazing.

Fantastic resource, @Blackhorse, thanks for posting the link. I hope you will put your hand to some spoons soon.

Hey all, I’m not trying to advertise but I’ve been making these and selling them for over a year now. Don’t know how I missed this post. My shop is on etsy as well: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TreysWoodShop?ref=hdr\\_shop\\_menu I just renewed some old listings just in case anyone is interested.