I think the best wood for spoons is the clearest, straightest wood that you happen to have. I have a bunch of Yaupon holly here and it is hard as a rock and usually pretty clear. And then you can make some tea from the leaves.
Depends on what you're doing. For me, if I'm woodworking, it's planes and chisels and knives and handsaws, if I'm clearing, then it's machetes, chainsaws and axes/hatchets. I like edged tools... =)
