I’ll give you guys a rundown.

You’ll need some things: -sharp block plane -painters tape -flat plate -various adhesive backed sandpaper -hand drill -food grade mineral oil -1/4” x 5/16” figured hardwood you pilfered from work -the PrettyWhooped Chopstick Jig (drawings available upon request)

Okay, here’s the recipe:

1. Fit hardwood stock into slot (1). With a block plane that’s been offset with three strips of painter’s tape on both sides, shave stock until you can’t remove anymore.

2. Remove the stock (I use a 1/8” chisel) and flip. Remove two strips of tape from plane, and shave stock.

3. Insert stock into slot (2). Be sure stock sits against back wall of slot. Shave stock. Rotate stock 90° and shave.

4. Rotate stock another 90° and insert into slot (3). As before, ensure stock is against back wall. Shave. Rotate 90°. Shave.

5. Place stock in slot (4) and shave the exposed corner. Rotate 90° and shave. Repeat for all corners.

6. Move stock to slot (5). Shave and repeat for all corners. You should now have a chopstick that measures 1/4” square at the base and tapers halfway to a 5/32” octagon at the tip with chamfered corners all around.

7. Clean up any rough surfaces with your flat plate and sandpaper.

8. Wrap base in a few layers of painter’s tape and mount it in your hand drill. The tape should protect your workpiece, but still be careful to not over tighten. Carefully turn the drill and run the tip of your work piece against your sandpapered flat plate. You’ll want to support it with your free hand, but if some correctly, you should get a slight round chamfer.

9. Remove tape and clean up any marks left by the drill by again sanding with the flat plate. Round over the remaining sharp corners at the base by dragging the chopstick against the flat plate in a rolling motion.

10. Repeat step 1-9 to make a mate and finish by soaking in mineral oil for an hour or so. Let cure to manufacturer’s recommendations.

Make sure you’re always rotating the same direction and keep your plane sharp. Shouldn’t take more than 10-15 minutes a stick.

Enjoy!