 | As promised, here is, finally, the history of the original Graham Kerr spurtle that started the revolution all those years ago. I was born the same year Graham acquired his first spurtle, not knowing that his decision on that day would have such an impact on mine all those years later. Here is the story in Graham's own words. "I came by the original spurtle in NZ in 1960. It was made by a wood working firm in Auckland, I am so sorry but their name escapes my records. Their use of heart kauri was due to the wet conditions of the kitchen but also one of value added...it is a highly prized wood used for shipbuilding purposes there. |
Bamboo also works well over time and is possibly a wiser use of renewable resources?
The shape was a change from the Scottish original which was a 12 inch ' dowel' that often had a thistle carved out of the top.
It's use was to run around the pot sides when making porridge and other starches such as barley.
The shape used in NZ came from the continued need for the scraping action for the long straight side to which was added a curved end to fit the modern saucepan shape. The other side had a swoop shape in order to use it to drain off water and leave solids, it's more pronounced curve end was for use in bowls.
In 1970 I worked with another unnamed group in China to make a set out of bamboo (through Hasbro, the toy company) that had the longer version of the original and a short one and also new shapes for beating that had holes...none of which were as useful as the original..or as prized, just an attempt at modern marketing!!!!"
Graham included a very detailed pic. The proportions look very close to the late 70s early 80s model available through Village Wood. It makes me wonder if the early 70s spurtle that was offered through Kellogg was not simply, as Graham put it, just an attempt at modern marketing, I will measure the photo carefully and see if I can replicate the exact original version of this treasured kitchen utensil. And I do mean treasuired. While I build many other wooden items from small toys to furniture items, I have built hundreds of these spurtles.
The shape was a change from the Scottish original which was a 12 inch ' dowel' that often had a thistle carved out of the top.
It's use was to run around the pot sides when making porridge and other starches such as barley.
The shape used in NZ came from the continued need for the scraping action for the long straight side to which was added a curved end to fit the modern saucepan shape. The other side had a swoop shape in order to use it to drain off water and leave solids, it's more pronounced curve end was for use in bowls.
In 1970 I worked with another unnamed group in China to make a set out of bamboo (through Hasbro, the toy company) that had the longer version of the original and a short one and also new shapes for beating that had holes...none of which were as useful as the original..or as prized, just an attempt at modern marketing!!!!"
Graham included a very detailed pic. The proportions look very close to the late 70s early 80s model available through Village Wood. It makes me wonder if the early 70s spurtle that was offered through Kellogg was not simply, as Graham put it, just an attempt at modern marketing, I will measure the photo carefully and see if I can replicate the exact original version of this treasured kitchen utensil. And I do mean treasuired. While I build many other wooden items from small toys to furniture items, I have built hundreds of these spurtles.
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