If this post has grabbed your interest, then it’s likely you are on the hunt for a new hobby! And perhaps whittling is something you have always wanted to try? Here, I’m going to give an introduction to this fascinating form of art. I’ll walk you through the steps and hopefully, you will find yourself a keen “whittler” in no time!

What Is Whittling?

Starting with the basics, let’s look at what whittling is, exactly.

Gear Hungry defines it as follows:

Whittling is the craft of carving or shaving wood using a small carving knife. While some might compare it to your usual woodcarving, we say it differs quite substantially. Whittling sticks to knife work only, whereas carving can involve using a number of woodworking tools to create the design you had in mind – these “extra” tools can include gouges, files, and larger specialised knives. - https://www.gearhungry.com/whittling-for-beginners/

Whittlers can design anything from basic patterns on would to full-on sculptures. The one awesome thing about this hobby is that the sky is the limit!

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What Will You Need to Start Your New Whittling Adventure?

You don’t need much at your disposal to dive into this hobby. All of the equipment is also relatively affordable.

You will need:

• Wood (softer woods such as Pine, Butternut wood, Balsa, and Basswood are more manageable).

• A Whittling Knife (make sure that the blade is hard and stable. You also want the handle to be a comfortable fit for your hand).

• A Knife Sharpener (your whittling blade should always be kept sharp).

Steps on How to Whittle Wood (The Fun Part)

• Safety always comes first. Before you attempt to whittle, make sure your knife is sharp. A blunt knife can slip easily and leave you with a cut. You can wear leather gloves as an extra protective measure.

• Work slowly. Whittling is something that takes time and the slower you work, the better the results tend to be.

• Cut with the grain. Once your equipment is in order and your safety measures are all in place, then whittle away! You want to:

1. Hold your knife in your working hand while keeping your thumb extended
2. Use your thumb to guide the blade over the wood
3. Now, slide your knife along with the grain

Image Source - Unsplash

Here’s A List of The Different Type of Whittling Cuts

A Straightaway Rough Cut

Most projects start with a straight rough cut – this is how you get your general shape and form.

The steps:

• Use your knife to make long, forceful, and sweeping cuts, moving in the direction of the grain.
• Cut thin slivers off at a time until you have created the form or shape you have in mind.

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Pull Stroke

You will use this stroke to add more detail to your sculpture:

• Holding your wood, turn the blade so that it is facing towards you.
• Now, pull the knife so that it squeezes toward you while you keep your strokes short and controlled.

Find some whittling projects HERE (Image Source)

Are You Ready to Give Whittling A Go?

Once you have mastered the art of “stroking”, then you should be ready to attempt your first project. You can now create anything from basic shapes to more detailed figurines. Search online for ideas on what’s easy to whittle for beginners.

Source:

Gear Hungry: https://www.gearhungry.com/whittling-for-beginners/

Much love - @sweetpea