How can you tell if a wood product is truly handmade? Between resellers misrepresenting their wares and big-box stores using it as a marketing buzzword, it’s easy to be misled by the word handmade.
If you’ve ever wondered how to tell if a wood product is truly handmade, you’re not alone. In this post, we’ll help you to spot the difference—and make choices that reflect your values and appreciation for genuine craftsmanship.
What Does “Handmade” Really Mean?
At its core, handmade means a human being—not a machine—shaped, finished, and often designed the product. That doesn’t mean zero tools were used, but it does mean care, skill, and time were part of the process. A truly handmade wooden bowl or board will carry small signs of the artisan’s touch: subtle variations in shape, unique wood grain patterns, and finishes that reveal the natural beauty of the material rather than hiding it.
Signs That a Wood Product Was Mass-Produced
Before you take home with a piece of wood kitchenware, look for these:
- Plastic-like finish: A thick, shiny coating can indicate industrial-level production and may obscure the wood’s natural feel.
- Lack of variation: Handmade items embrace the unique grain, color shifts, and imperfections of the wood. If a product looks too “perfect,” it might not be the real thing.
- No artisan name or brand story: True artisans stand behind their work. If there’s no trace of who made it or how it was made, it’s worth questioning.
What to Look For in Truly Handmade Wood Products
Handcrafted wooden goods often have subtle cues that reflect the maker’s process and pride:
- Unique variations: No two pieces are exactly alike. You may see slight asymmetries or beautiful irregularities that make each item one-of-a-kind.
- Visible wood grain and tool marks: Handmade items often showcase the wood’s character. You might even see tool marks that tell the story of how it was shaped.
- Natural finishes: Artisans typically use food-safe oils or waxes to protect the wood while highlighting its natural texture.
- A maker’s story: Whether it’s a signature, a brand tag, or a description of the process, handmade pieces usually come with context—and passion.
Still Not Sure If Something Is Handmade or Mass-Produced?
Still not confident that the “handmade” item you added to your cart is really handmade? Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you sleuth out the truth:
- Use Google Reverse Image Search: If you suspect that a mass-produced item is being resold as “handmade,” Google’s Reverse Image Search function can help you see if the item is being sold elsewhere.
- Look to social media: A brand’s social media presence will quickly give you a sense of the artisans and their process.
- Check out the product line: A reseller might offer everything from wooden to knit to leather to metal items, but a true crafts person is most likely to be a specialist dedicated to honing their craft.
Why It Matters
When you choose a handmade wood product, you’re not just buying a bowl or board. You’re supporting sustainable practices, small-batch artisanship, and the preservation of traditional woodworking techniques. Handmade pieces are often made with reclaimed or responsibly sourced wood, adding even more value to your purchase.
The Spencer Peterman Difference
At Spencer Peterman, we don’t just say handmade—we live it. Every bowl and board we offer is turned by hand from locally fallen trees in New England. Our wood is salvaged from logs that would otherwise be burned, chipped, or left to decay. Instead, we give them a second life as beautiful, functional kitchenware.
We believe in embracing the imperfections of each tree. That’s why you’ll find spalted patterns, asymmetrical shapes, and natural edges that tell a story. Each product is crafted by our small team of skilled artisans in our Massachusetts workshop using techniques that honor the wood’s integrity, not mask it.
In a world full of mass-produced lookalikes, authenticity matters. When you choose Spencer Peterman, you’re choosing craftsmanship, sustainability, and timeless beauty—one bowl at a time.