Rough Cut Products LLC is our family woodworking business, and my husband Anthony has been making wooden tables and benches for the last several years. Specifically, he uses downed trees from our property (Larch/Tamarack, Douglas Fir, and Blue Spruce), cuts slabs with an Alaska mill and his chainsaw, then planes and sands them. He then finishes them by either hand carving designs and/or using epoxy and river rocks as decoration. Finally, he covers most of them with a marine varnish so they can be used indoors and outdoors.
For the past few years, we've been selling those tables and benches from May to October at a weekly Farmer's Market here in Kalispell Montana. We would often hear people say, "Wow, I love them and the price is great, but I'm hopping on a plane and can't take them with me," or "I wish I could buy one but I have no room in the car/van/truck."
So I started thinking, perhaps we could come up with another Montana based product that people could take with them when they leave Montana. Or that local Montanans could purchase for their own homes. So approximately a year ago, I tried making my first wooden utensil, which is definitely different than making tables and benches.
For example, the wood that works for benches and tables might not work for making utensils. I do use Larch/Tamarack, but have to be careful to select pieces of wood that have no cracks or holes in them. Making small items requires the wood be in great shape since everything will show up, and cracks or holes especially in the bowl of a spoon could lead to a damaged product. And we don't want that!
So for the utensils, I use Larch, but have also found Rocky Mountain Maple works well and is also found on our property. I've been supplementing those two types of wood with purchased Walnut and some White Oak, Purple Heart, and more Walnut pieces that were kindly donated by friends.
In the past year, we converted our small shed into a workshop for me, and we've added a worktable, vise, band saw, belt sander, and various manual tools and sanding materials. I also purchased and learned to use an engraver so I can decorate each utensil.
As a result, I have become the head of our utensil division, as well as its only craftsman! At our last Farmer's Market in 2024, I sold a dozen items in just a few hours and had to spend some time restocking inventory. In addition to the items mentioned below, I also love doing custom orders and have added some new products as a result. I currently make and sell:
- Spatulas - Various styles and sizes, depending on personal preference and available wood.
- Spoons - Both for adults and children, of various sizes and styles.
- Spreaders - While this tool is officially called a spreader, it is also great for stirring sourdough starter or getting the last of the mayo out of the mayonnaise jar!
- Spurtles - Someone asked me if I made spurtles and I had no idea what it was! Now it's become a staple - and is, by the way, a Scottish stirrer for porridge.
- Strainer - which is used against the side of the pan to strain pasta water, potatoes, vegetables, or any other item you cook in water. It almost makes the need for an actual strainer disappear.
- Backpack spoons - This was also a custom request. The resulting spoon is an ounce or less in weight, and at least 8" in length. The bowl will hold at least a tablespoon of food.
Examples of these products can be found on our roughcutproductsllc.com website or by contacting us at roughcutproductsllc@gmail.com. Of course, you could also call me directly at 406-270-3667. Please note that because we are a small family owned business and everything is hand crafted, we have flexibility in terms of styles, sizes and engravings. The utensils can be engraved with various designs, and/or with a custom name. Perfect for gifts for clients and/or friends! Or yourself!
Feel free to contact me for more information. I am planning a few future blog posts with a video how I make each spoon, how to take care of wooden utensils, and more.
If you've read this far, thank you! I appreciate you.
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