Who here whittles wood?

[mamavegan]

I keep searching MDC in disbelief that I can't find a post about whittling wood. I really want to try this. I'd love to whittle little animals and toys for DS instead of buying them for him. Anyone else whittle? I'd love some tips and tricks for getting started!

[Liberty5_3000]

Wow, I was just talking to my husband about that yesterday and planned on looking around for how to get started today. I was thinking about how my grandpa used to whittle things for me (I still have an eagle he made) and how I always wanted to be able to do that and how it would be neat to be able to teach my son when he's older. I'd love to see any helpful information.

[beanma]

I used to fiddle around with it a little bit when I was a kid. Sliced my thumb pretty well one time, too. I just whittled sticks for fun. You can get little wood-carving sets at a craft store or just use a nice sharp pocket knife. Not a whole lot to it, really, as far as getting started, but watch your fingers and cut away from yourself. I'm sure the real pros could give you more tricks and tips!

[Indigo73]

My dad (and grandad was) is a carpenter and he whittles the most amazing things. I love the smell of wood and have thought of getting into a bit more myself.

[mamavegan]

I'm glad there's some interest here!

I'm leary of buying kits because usually I end up with something that I don't need. I'd love a really small basic book about it, so that I know what to look for in any tools and a few smaller projects. I don't own a small sharp knife, so I do need to buy a little something.

I heard toymaking for children had some whittling projects in it, but doesn't really go into the 'how' aspect of it. I'd love a good online how-to. I'll post here if I find anything.

[mamavegan]

I found this small tutorial from the Craft magazine. I wonder if it will be a recurring theme?

[jerri]

Toymaking With Children does have some good information in it. Our library has a copy. Michaels sells some supplies and you can use a coupon. You can get the knife and just a block of wood from there to get started.

[mamavegan]

Originally Posted by jerri

Toymaking With Children does have some good information in it. Our library has a copy. Michaels sells some supplies and you can use a coupon. You can get the knife and just a block of wood from there to get started.

Oh, good to know! I've just ordered the book.

[mommyto4grits]

I did as a kid, my Dad taught me on a vacation. Never made anything really cool, but it was so fun. I never really thought of it since, but that is a great craft! It is amazing some of the things you can make!

[HoneyTree]

I went to a primitive skills gathering last year and gained a lot of confidence working with a knife and wood for all kinds of projects. A lot of the instructors would be carving wood between classes and during down time, and I found that I learned a lot just from watching them. Something that I heard repeated often was to use wood that's not dried out, use a very sharp knife, work with the grain of the wood as long as you can, and never put so much pressure on your knife that if you lost control of it you'd do serious damage to your body.

[sunanthem]

I whittle a bit, but mostly to things I've already cut out w/ a scroll saw. Like wood animals and swords. I cut them out first, then whittle them up into the shape I want. I didnt read up on it, just got a knife and started in, I remembered all the w/ the grain and away from you stuff from h.s. wood shop. I dont have much time to keep up w/ it, but its something you can always have to pick up when you want to.

[leafylady]

I haven't done it yet, but I did find loads of info at our local public library last year. I settled for soap carving instead.
Have you tried your library?