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    Complete Starter Guide to Whittling: 24 Easy Projects You Can Make in a Weekend
    Complete Starter Guide to Whittling: 24 Easy Projects You Can Make in a Weekend
    Complete Starter Guide to Whittling: 24 Easy Projects You Can Make in a Weekend
    Ebook308 pages1 hour

    Complete Starter Guide to Whittling: 24 Easy Projects You Can Make in a Weekend

    By Editors of Woodcarving Illustrated

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Start whittling today with this complete starter guide! Twelve leading woodcarvers present 24 easy whittling projects for beginners that you can make in just a weekend, complete with step-by-step instructions, how-to photographs, ready-to-carve patterns, and helpful tips. From a simple flying propeller and a 5-minute owl to more complex designs

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherFox Chapel Publishing
    Release dateDec 1, 2018
    ISBN9781607654278
    Complete Starter Guide to Whittling: 24 Easy Projects You Can Make in a Weekend
    Author

    Editors of Woodcarving Illustrated

    As the leading how-to magazine for woodcarvers, Woodcarving Illustrated promotes woodcarving as a fun pastime and recognized art form. Whether you’re just getting started in the world of woodcarving or have been making chips for decades, Woodcarving Illustrated is designed to help you make the most of your carving time. Each quarterly issue is jammed with projects, instructions, photos, tool reviews, tips, and techniques. Expert guidance from the world’s most talented carvers helps you to complete more projects and hone your skills.

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    Book preview

    Complete Starter Guide to Whittling - Editors of Woodcarving Illustrated

    Choosing a

    Whittling Knife

    What to look for when selecting a folding knife

    By Bob Duncan

    One of the neat things about whittling is that you can do it anywhere. This means your knife should be portable, and nothing beats the convenience of safely slipping a folded knife into your pocket.

    Many manufacturers create folding knives for whittling (or carving) with blades that resemble classic carving knives. These specialty knives can get expensive, and are worth the money if you do a lot of whittling, but you don’t need to buy a specialty knife to whittle.

    Many carvers use a second pocketknife for everyday use, such as opening cardboard boxes, to avoid dulling the sharp pocketknife they use for whittling.

    When selecting a pocketknife for whittling, there are a few things to keep in mind.

    Illustration

    Carbon Steel Blade

    Many pocketknife blades are made from stainless steel. Most carving tools are made from highcarbon steel. Stainless steel holds an edge for a long time and doesn’t corrode if you close the knife with a wet blade—both great qualities for pocketknives. But because stainless steel dulls slowly, it sharpens slowly as well. Knives with high-carbon steel blades are more expensive than knives with stainless steel blades, but they are easier to sharpen.

    Many manufacturers are creating high-carbon stainless steel blades, which combine the durability of stainless steel with the added benefits of carbon steel.

    Blade Location

    Some pocketknives have ten to twenty blades. These knives are generally less comfortable to use for long periods of time, and the blades you want to carve with are seldom in the center of the handle. If the knife blade is not in the center of the handle, you lose leverage, which reduces your carving power and control. Instead, look for a knife with two or, at most, three blades, which should ensure the blades are conveniently placed.

    Blade Shape

    Look for a sheepsfoot blade—one where the tip of the knife is closely aligned with the main cutting edge, similar to a utility knife or standard bench knife. Many pocketknife blades have a drop-point shape, which centers the tip of the knife in the middle of the blade. The drop-point shape works well for general cutting purposes, but makes it difficult to carve small details. You can reshape a blade using sharpening stones and sandpaper, but the process is time consuming (see page 23).

    A sheepsfoot blade (top) is better suited for whittling than a drop-point blade (bottom).

    Locking Blades

    A locking blade keeps the sharp knife from accidentally closing on your fingers, which is a good safety feature. However, as long as you are always aware a knife can close on your fingers, you should be safe, regardless of whether or not your knife features a locking blade.

    Choosing the Right Knife for You

    Selecting the ideal pocketknife for you is a matter of personal preference. The size of your grip compared with the size of the handle will greatly influence how comfortable the knife is to use over extended periods. The ideal knife for your friend may not be well-suited for you. Ask other whittlers for their opinions and if possible, handle several knives before making a purchase.

    LESS THAN $50

    Folding Utility Knife (around $10)

    Available at most home stores

    Pros:

    •Inexpensive

    •Replaceable blades eliminate the need to sharpen

    Cons:

    •The large triangular blade can be difficult to control in tight areas

    •Requires inventory of replacement blades

    •Blade can break if you pry with the blade or apply force to the sides of the blade

    Woodcraft Two-Blade Folding Carving Knife ($20)

    Available through Woodcraft, 800-225-1153, www.woodcraft.com

    Pros:

    •High-carbon stainless steel blades

    •Two blade shapes, including a chip carving blade

    •Ergonomical wood inlay handle

    •Small detail blade fits into tight areas

    Cons:

    •Short blades make carving larger projects difficult

    •Blades do not lock open

    Buck Trio ($26)

    Contact Buck Knives to find a local dealer, 800-326-2825, www.buckknives.com

    Pros:

    •Three blade shapes allow you to carve different areas

    •Large blade for fast stock removal

    •Sheepsfoot blade for general carving

    •Pointed pen blade for detail carving

    Cons:

    •Stainless steel blades

    •Blades do not lock open

    Victorinox Swiss Army Tinker ($26)

    Contact Victorinox Swiss Army to find a local dealer, 800-422-2706, www.swissarmy.com

    Pros:

    •Two blades

    •Small detail blade fits into tight areas

    •Large blade for fast stock removal

    Cons:

    •Stainless steel blades

    •Blades do not lock open

    •Includes extra tools not used for carving

    •Must remove key ring for comfortable carving

    Woodcraft Double-Blade Long Handle Carving Knife ($26)

    Available through Woodcraft, 800-225-1153, www.woodcraft.com

    Pros:

    •High-carbon stainless steel blades

    •Two blade shapes, including a chip carving blade

    •Ergonomical wood inlay handle

    •Large blade for fast stock removal

    Cons:

    •Long blades make carving tight areas difficult

    •Blades do not lock open

    Buck Stockman ($30)

    Contact Buck Knives to find a local dealer, 800-326-2825, www.buckknives.com

    Pros:

    •Three blade shapes allow you to carve different areas

    •Large blade for fast stock removal

    •Sheepsfoot blade for general carving

    •Pointed pen blade for detail carving

    Cons:

    •Stainless steel blades

    •Blades do not lock open

    •Slightly larger than Buck Trio, so it can be more difficult to carve details

    Case Stockman ($36)

    Contact W. R. Case and Sons to find a local dealer, 800-523-6350, www.wrcase.com

    Pros:

    •Three blade shapes allow you to carve different areas

    •Large blade for fast stock removal

    •Sheepsfoot blade for general carving

    •Pointed pen blade for detail carving

    •Made in USA

    Cons:

    •Stainless steel blades

    •Blades do not lock open

    Case Seahorse Whittler ($45)

    The Seahorse Whittler was just discontinued so supplies are limited, but this is one of the most popular whittling knives. Some online retailers still have the knife in stock.

    Pros:

    •Large blade for fast stock removal

    •Small sheepsfoot and pointed pen blades for detail carving

    •Made in USA

    Cons:

    •Stainless steel blades

    •Blades do not lock open

    $50 OR MORE

    Buck Lancer ($50)

    Contact Buck Knives to find a local dealer, 800-326-2825, www.buckknives.com

    Pros:

    •Smallest two-blade knife Buck makes

    •Large blade for fast stock removal

    •Sheepsfoot blade for general carving

    •High-carbon steel blades

    •Made in USA

    Cons:

    •Blades do not lock open

    Case Whittler ($50)

    Contact W. R. Case and Sons to find a local dealer, 800-523-6350, www.wrcase.com

    Pros:

    •Large blade for fast stock removal

    •Small detail blades fits into tight areas

    •Made in USA

    Cons:

    •Stainless steel blades

    •Blades do not lock open

    Flexcut Whittling Jack ($50)

    Available from Flexcut, 800-524-9077, www.flexcut.com

    Pros:

    •Tempered spring steel holds and edge and sharpens easily

    •Includes a roughing-out blade and

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