Beginner's Guide to Whittling: What Beginner Wood Carvers Need to Know to Start Whittling

By Ryan Feldman

The most fun and engaging form of creativity you'll ever find!

 

Are you looking to express your inner creativity in a way that produces beautiful works of art?

 

Do you love learning with your hands and seeing a project through to its finish?

 

Or maybe you know someone else who you think could benefit from a new hobby like this -- your child for example, or your parents or grandparents?

 

We all have that spark of creative genius within us, but sometimes we just don't know how to tap into it. Sometimes, the traditional creative mediums of painting, music, and the like just don't cut it.

 

While there are countless ways one can spend their time being creative, there are only a few that truly bring us back to our roots, back to a time long before cell phones and airplanes.

 

Do you find it hard to pick a time to sit down and be creative, or that you get random spurts of energy at odd times of the day and don't know what to do with them?

 

Having a creative hobby is perfect for anyone who answers 'yes' to the above questions.

 

Whether you find yourself with too much downtime and are looking to fill it with productivity, or you just want a project you can work on here and there when the energy flows, everyone should have a creative hobby.

 

Did you know that whittling is the easiest creative hobby to pick up quickly and have fun with at any time of the day, anywhere that you are? All you need is a small knife and some wood.

 

Whittling can quickly become so much more, as well. With the right knowledge of your tools, a finer understanding of the wood itself, and some fun design templates to get you started, you'll be producing masterpieces in no time at all.

 

In Beginner's Guide To Whittling, you'll discover:

 

• The 4 most important knives for any beginner to own, and how to properly take care of them

• 5 exciting reasons why everyone would take on whittling, no matter what your current skillset or creative outlook

  How whittling can be used as a stress reliever and help anyone to find some peace and quiet

• The best practices for remaining safe while whittling, as well as insider knowledge of the gear you'll be using so that you can best suit your unique needs
• How to master the first 3 basic cutting strokes in no time flat, so that you can get carving as soon as possible
• What type of wood is best for whittling and why, so that you can ensure every project comes out exactly how you envision it
• Tips and tricks for keeping your hands strong and your knives sharp, so that you can whittle whenever you desire

 

…and so much more!

 

Enough with all the wondering what to do with this extra time you have. Why let that creative genius within you go to waste?

 

Whittling is the greatest hobby to fill your or a loved one's time with a fun and engaging challenge that's sure to create something everyone can enjoy for years to come.

 

If you're ready to finally let yourself express that inner genius, then scroll up and add this book to your cart now!

• Language: English
• Publisher: CraftMills Publishing LLC
• Release date: Dec 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393425441

Book preview

Beginner’s Guide to Whittling

What Beginner Wood Carvers Need to Know to Start Whittling

Ryan Feldman

© Copyright 2020 - All rights reserved.

The content contained within this book may not be reproduced, duplicated or transmitted without direct written permission from the author or the publisher.

Under no circumstances will any blame or legal responsibility be held against the publisher, or author, for any damages, reparation, or monetary loss due to the information contained within this book, either directly or indirectly.

Legal Notice:

This book is copyright protected. It is only for personal use. You cannot amend, distribute, sell, use, quote or paraphrase any part, or the content within this book, without the consent of the author or publisher.

Disclaimer Notice:

Please note the information contained within this document is for educational and entertainment purposes only. All effort has been executed to present accurate, up to date, reliable, complete information. No warranties of any kind are declared or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaged in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. The content within this book has been derived from various sources. Please consult a licensed professional before attempting any techniques outlined in this book.

By reading this document, the reader agrees that under no circumstances is the author responsible for any losses, direct or indirect, that are incurred as a result of the use of the information contained within this document, including, but not limited to, errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1:  The Most Creative Fun Ever

What is Whittling?

Five Reasons Everyone Enjoys Whittling

History of Woodcarving

What to Know Before You Start

Protective Gear

Disclaimer

What Makes Whittling Different?

Chapter 2:  Know Your Tools

Whittling Knives

Simple Pocket Knife

Flat Steel Blade

Hook Blade

Raindrop Razor Edge

Protective Wear

Cut-resistant Gloves

Cut-resistant Gloves with No-slip Grip

Leather Palms

Steel Wire Gloves

Metal Mesh Gloves

Shop Gloves

Finger Guards

Glove Comparison

Your Hands as a Tool

Taking Care of Your Equipment

Chapter 3:  Beginner-Level Techniques

The Basic Whittling Cuts

Straight Rough Cut

Push Stroke

Pull Stroke

Leveraging Cut

V-Cut

Techniques for Beginners

Plan Your Project

Play-by-Play

Sharpening Your Knife

Chapter 4:  The Wood You Choose Makes a Difference!

Softwood

Hardwood

Wood Grain

Best Softwoods for Beginners

Basswood

Balsa

Pine

Butternut

Branches and Twigs

Moving to Hardwoods

Chapter 5:  Basic Designs To Start Whittling

Whittled Whistle

Instructions

Owl Bookmark

Instructions

Maori Hook Pendant

Instructions

Boomerang

Instructions

Chess Pawn

Instructions

Spiral Pencil

Instructions

Letter Opener

Instructions

Tiny Guitar

Instructions

Ball in a Cage

Instructions

Ornamental Trivet

Instructions

Flower Coasters

Instructions

Wooden Knife

Instructions

Spatula

Instructions

Mixing Spoon

Instructions

Salad Fork

Instructions

Bowl

Instructions

Pizza Wheel Handle

Instructions

Kuksa (Drinking Cup)

Instructions

Little Bird

Instructions

Mushroom

Instructions

Dinosaur

Instructions

Dog

Instructions

Fish

Instructions

Eagle Feather

Instructions

Wood Spirit Idol

Instructions

Yoda

Instructions

Valentine’s Heart

Instructions

Hatching Easter Chick

Instructions

Jack-O-Lanterns

Instructions

Snowman Ornament

Instructions

Chapter 6:  Turning It Into a Business

How Much Should I Charge?

Increase the Value of your Artworks

Promoting Your Work

How-To Guide for a Whittling Workshop

Whittling is an Asset

Conclusion

References

Introduction

I took a step back and admired my handiwork. The shark was slightly larger than the other fish, but it fit perfectly into the open space on the shelf. After traversing the forest the previous weekend, I had found a beautiful piece of basswood just begging to be whittled into something new. I sat under the shade of the big oak tree while whittling away until finally, the shark emerged from the depths of the wood. It was magnificent! I had finished my aquarium scene but already knew my next whittling project would be an owl. Even though I had only been whittling for a few months, I could not wait to get back to the forest soon and find another piece of wood.

Being creative is not a hobby, it’s a way of life.

- Unknown

I grew up in the Pacific Northwestern forests. I had free reign and often spent time wandering through the forest. Sometimes I got lost... That is okay because eventually, I would find my way back home. One thing was consistent though - I always came home with pieces of wood. The textures, shapes, and possibilities intrigued me. Wood was beautiful, and knowing that it can transform into so many things made me wonder what I could do with it. From a very young age, I knew that working with wood was in my genes. Today, I consider myself to be a bit of a lumberjack because I became a carpenter who builds homes. Yet, my wood carving hobby is fruitful too - it has become a lucrative side hustle.

Whittling is a creative pastime, which quickly becomes part of a person’s lifestyle. For me, whittling was a saving grace. As a teenager, I found myself engaging in illegal behavior. I was using drugs and committing crimes. My life was spiraling out of control, and I could easily have gotten myself into even stickier situations. I knew this unruly version of myself was not the person I wanted to be as an adult. Luckily, my love for nature drew me back to reality. I spent more time carving wood, which made me understand just how powerful this form of art is for my life. Working with wood and being in the forest gave me a sense of purpose: I finally felt at home and knew I could contribute to society through my natural affinity for woodwork.

Sometimes, a person wants to try something new, but you just don’t know where to start. There are a myriad of ideas on how to spend your time, what hobbies to try, and why one hobby is better than the next. I have always been creative - it already manifested in me as a young child roaming the woods and dreaming about all kinds of creatures and treehouses. Yet, as a man, I wanted a creative hobby that still reflected my masculinity; although, it is perfectly suited for a woman’s hobby too. Whittling made sense to me. It is a quintessential outdoor activity that conjures images of a flannel-clad individual using a pocket knife to shave wood slivers off a stick.

I want to share my passion for whittling with you! I didn’t know everything about wood carving from the start. At first, I only had a basic knowledge of whittling, but as I practiced more, I gained confidence in my hobby. Mistakes were part of the process, and I often started over because the project was not going according to plan. Yes, it was frustrating, but it was a valuable learning experience. I was getting to know my craft. I found out the best type of wood to use for whittling and the most suitable tools. Sometimes, I thought I knew what I wanted to make, but soon the wood indicated a different direction. Some of my most prized pieces came from projects that took on a life of their own. Now, I am a master whittler and you can be too!

So, why should you start whittling? Maybe you have a lot of time on your hands, you recently retired, or you are recovering from an operation. It might be the holidays and you want to learn a new skill. Even if you are only going camping for a weekend, whittling is a great activity. Whittling enables creative expression and is a productive way to spend your time. It prevents you from taking part in harmful hobbies as I did since whittling keeps you busy. Whittling is a fun activity that you can share with your family and friends. It is the perfect activity that you can learn while teaching it to your children.