Wood and honey have always seemed to belong together, and there's something about spreading honey with a wooden spreader that just feels right. You can feel the tree's strength and solidity in your hand as you use it, and the blade is the perfect size for butter, jam, honey (of course!) and anything else you want spreading.
Like our honeys, no two of these spreaders are the same. Each has its own character, shaped by where it grew and by Amy, who carved it from Black Wattle wood (Acacia mearnsii) that tree surgeons took down on the Sussex coast.
A limited edition of just 25, made exclusively for Hive & Keeper.
DESCRIPTION
Amy adjusts how she carves each spreader as she goes, working with the wood's natural character and strength, so every one is slightly different. Acacia has a distinctive stripy grain, with darker and lighter tones running through it, and the painted yellow band shows it off perfectly. Amy paints it with milk paint, a traditional mix of milk proteins, lime and earth pigments, building the colour up by hand in four layers: two of off-white, then two of marigold.
19cm long
PROVENANCE
Amy is a green woodworker, which means she carves wood that still holds its moisture, using hand tools. It's much easier on the hands than seasoned wood, and it means she can source directly from tree surgeons and woodland management rather than buying pre-cut, dried timber from a sawmill.
SUSTAINABILITY
Made from a tree that was already coming down, and entirely natural, so once its useful life is over it can go back to the earth without leaving a trace. From tree to dust.
CARE
Hand wash and store somewhere well ventilated. If you like, re-oil the whole spreader occasionally with flaxseed, hemp, walnut or grapeseed oil.
