Making a simple finger space for opening a box by hand

[afrb2]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good hand way to make a small recess like this in a box for helping open the lid? My hunt through various published designs has failed to find one.

Carving gouges (of which I have many) seem the first choice, but I'm a bit worried about splintering the grain and it's the last step on a finished box, so I wondered about a microplane type rasp?

Alan

 

[Bill Clemmons]

Personally I would go with the gouge and work my way from each side to minimize splintering. The micro-rasp would be the second choice but that might require more finish sanding.

 

[creasman]

Use a dowel with sandpaper wrapped around it. Start slow and progress until you're satisfied. Practice on a scrap piece first.

 

[NCPAPAOF2]

Oscillating spindle sander.

 

[Mike Davis]

Dremel tool with mini-sanding drum. Follow up with fine sand paper.
I sometimes go the opposite way and add a small inset lip to lift the lid.

 

[afrb2]

Thanks for suggestions - off to do some practice on a bit of scrap!

 

[Wilsoncb]

I’ve used a half round router bit for larger finger pulls. You need to sneak up on the final depth and move fast to avoid burning.

 

[danmart77]

Just come in from both sides of the feature and it won't splinter.

 

[Berta]

I was making a plaque for my friend. There was one this detail that was carved. I don’t carve. I used a dremel and a ball shaped diamond burr to get it started. There is also a very skinny sandpaper one that I used. Then I sat and sanded. I used a small dowel with sand paper wrapped on it. I used adhesive spray to attach the sandpaper to the dowel.