Good day Patriot Woodworkers!!!!

If you are looking for a hobby that is fun and portable with little investment – think whittling! Using nothing but a knife and a piece of wood, you can create a project in a matter of minutes, giving instant gratification to even a beginner.

Whittling differs from carving in that no chisels,gouges or power tools are used.

Carver and author Tom Hindes was a guest at the Fox Chapel Publishing booth at Woodcraft’s National Sales Conference and Vendor Trade Show, held in Columbus, Ohio, in May. Tom’s book, 20-Minute Whittling Projects, is published by Fox Chapel and available at Woodcraft.

“While some people pull out their cell phones when they’re waiting in a waiting room, I work on my latest project!” – Tom Hindes

Tom discovered woodcarving after retirement from his career teaching industrial arts and technical training development. Wanting to work on something small and light, he began carving Noah’s arks, complete with the pairs of animals, and was immediately hooked on carving. Over time, he began focusing on whittling, “carving with one knife” as he classifies it. “Whittling is easy, fast and fun. It’s also portable – you can take it wherever you go,” Tom said. “While some people pull out their cell phones when they’re waiting in a waiting room, I work on my latest project!”

Children are naturally drawn to Tom’s work because they like small things and don’t require much detail to figure out what the whittled piece is. “The most interesting place I ever carved was at a funeral home!” Tom laughed. Focusing on what Tom was doing occupied some rambunctious children, much to the relief of their parents during an otherwise trying time.

 

SUPPLIES FOR GETTING STARTED

KNIFE – To get started in whittling, Tom recommends an easily transportable knife, like a folding pocketknife, with locking carbon steel blade. Knives with high-carbon steel blades are more expensive than traditional stainless steel knives, but they are easier to sharpen – an important factor in a knife that you will use repeatedly.

Also, Tom says a sheepsfoot blade shape is better suited for whittling than a drop-point blade. The tip of the knife should be closely aligned with the main cutting edge, which makes it easier for cutting small details. “Keep a second pocketknife for everyday use, like opening cardboard boxes, to avoid dulling the sharp pocketknife you use for whittling,” Tom advises.

If you end of doing a lot of whittling, you may want to invest in some specialized carving knives. The Flexcut Whittlin’ Jack is a nice size knife for your pocket and features two high-carbon steel blades in one – a detail knife and a roughing knife.

STROP – A strop maintains the cutting edge of your knife. “I strop my blade before and after every whittling session,” Tom shared. “Sometimes I even strop it during the whittling session.” The WoodRiver® Bench Stropand the Flexcut Knife Strop are two great examples for carvers and whittlers. Add lapping compound to the textured leather surface to keep your blades sharp and ready to go.

GLOVE – A carving glove is another good investment to protect the hand as it holds the wood. Woodcraft offers several sizes of safety gloves for carving, from extra extra small (3″ – 4ʺ) up to large (9ʺ -11ʺ). Made from a patented combination of Kevlar, Spectra and stainless steel, these gloves are unsurpassed for cut resistance, durability, softness and wearability.

PENCILS – Keep some pencils handy to sketch and draw detail lines onto the wood. “This is also great if you are on the go and you don’t happen to have a pattern – you can just sketch one,” Tom said.

WOOD – According to Tom, the main requirement in selecting wood for whittling is that the wood must be able to hold detail – in other words, have a tight wood grain and be knot-free. Basswood is generally the wood of choice for most whittlers, especially for beginning whittlers.

 

Thanks for following along and we hope this little bit of information maybe useful to you. Keep up the great work Patriot Woodworker's!

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the info Lori.

thanks Lori..

Thanks for the post Lori...

Nice post and information, thank you Lori

 

The extent of my whittling is the sharpening one end of a stick. 

24 minutes ago, Chips N Dust said:

The extent of my whittling is the sharpening one end of a stick. 

Me, too, and I do that poorly.

 

Wish I had this talent. Thanks Lori for the post

30 minutes ago, Chips N Dust said:

The extent of my whittling is the sharpening one end of a stick.

 

5 minutes ago, lew said:

Me, too, and I do that poorly.

As long as a hot dog or marshmallow will slide on mission is successful 

55 minutes ago, Chips N Dust said:

Nice post and information, thank you Lori

 

The extent of my whittling is the sharpening one end of a stick. 

so what's the secret to getting them sharp...

For years I carried a pocket knife,since 9/11, I have had to take it back to my car and leave it before I could get into some places. Now I just leave it home. When I was growing up, that was the go-to tool  for everything, every boy had one. I whittled,but nothing i would;d want to keep.

Good information though,good post.

Herb

I'd like trying that, but have a condition in my hands that prevents that. I like your work, I like the idea of taking it with you anywhere you go.

^{I have carried a pocket knife since I was 5 years old. It was considered a tool NOT A WEAPON and I still consider it a tool. It was with me in the 1st grade and when I was in the military it was with me and still is. Its like putting on your shoes, I don't anywhere without them either.}

 

^Preston

I am the same way- I never go anywhere anywhere without my knife. Last spring, when I had jury duty, I did leave my knife in the pickup, but asked as I was going through security about the pen and pencil in my shirt pocket - they are just as an effective stabbing tool as a knife, but they were ok to carry. I think the whole 'extra' security is just so we will 'feel' safer

Something I'd love to do, it seems relaxing and productive too.

I remember as a kid, in grade school, can you believe us boys carried pocket knives to school? That was in the early 70's when I was in grade school. I remember sitting on the sandbox edge and whittling pieces of wood, we made little spears, little rifles and just stuff a boy would make. Nobody thought a thing about it. My how times have changed.

Yes times have changed. I agree with Chips N Dust when going through security check and I had a cow magnet and this guard though I was full of BS and wanted to make an example of me. He thought it was a wrist pin and I was trying to make a fool out of him. The other security guard go into the conversation and he agreed with me and was not concerned about the danger I presented !  I feel safer with my own means of self perseveration not theirs but I understand what they are trying to do.

I carry a concealed weapon a pistol.

Now picture this, I am in a crowed place and someone opens fire, instinctively I take my gun out and try to shoot the shooter. Now while all of this is happening a officer of the law takes notice and notices me with a gun and aiming it and the officer takes me out. He does not know I am on his side. Carrying a concealed weapon has some down falls, was it worth it, well yes if the next person he shoots is the bad guy. 

 

Preston

All the guys in school had a knife and I never saw anyone threaten someone else with their knife.  We were brought up that that a knife was a useful tool to have on hand and it was not to be used as a weapon.  I have never had a need for one of these my entire life either.

 

Yep, I carry a knife to use as a tool, and I carry my trusty ole 38 for protection.

Like most of you other old guys I have carried since I was in kindergarten. Comes in handy sometime and I even have used it on food much the horror of my RN son. Used to spend lots of time sharpening it so it would shave.......the test was on the arm. Now I carry this and a pistol. Like Preston I wonder what will happen if I need to use the second and will I be fast enough.

8 hours ago, John Morris said:

Something I'd love to do, it seems relaxing and productive too.

I remember as a kid, in grade school, can you believe us boys carried pocket knives to school? That was in the early 70's when I was in grade school. I remember sitting on the sandbox edge and whittling pieces of wood, we made little spears, little rifles and just stuff a boy would make. Nobody thought a thing about it. My how times have changed.

Like most of you I have carried a pocket knife nearly all my life. My first one was given to me by my dad...long since gone...I've lost several, relocated a few and even found some that were not mine originally. My current "carry" is one given to me by stepfather years ago. I don't leave home without it...like Gerald, it usually will shave the hairs on my arm until I cut card-board with it, sharpen a stick for whatever, clean a battery terminal (I know)...even on a wood project.

 

Yes times have changed dramatically...what Cub Scout or Boy Scout would go to a meeting or camp without one of these; "always prepared"...you had arrived as a Scout when you got your knife...we even were taught to try to carve with them...such as pine-wood derby cars...still have one of these today in my tool box.

I can't remember a time when I DIDN'T carry a pocket knife. Even working in the northern bush, where everyone wore a belt knife, I always had a folding knife for paring apples, whittling or whatever.

John

Yup, still carry my old stockman pattern (except when i had jury duty).   Used to fly with it too (before everyone got "scared" or whatever.   I just call it security theater.   We're not really safer (and i try to not fly anymore).    Was talking with a young state trooper a few years back and mentioned i had it on me....said i felt naked without it and he said, yeah, he did the same.   Think it was my dad got me started with cold steel.