| Whittling has been around for many hundreds of | | | | won’t be able to whittle at all until it heals. |
| years. All the way back to the days of cavemen. | | | | Wear them, at least until you’ve developed |
| One could say that it is because we began to whittle | | | | some real skill at handling the knife. |
| that technology began. It was the shaping of | | | | -  Be in a good frame of mind. Or at least a |
| wood, after all—after the discovery of sharp | | | | reasonably good frame of mind. If you are the |
| edges—that sparked human imagination to make | | | | type of person who becomes aggressive when |
| carts, cooking implements and clothes, weapons for | | | | upset, it’s probably not a good idea to whittle at |
| hunting and methods of food gathering. Who | | | | that time. (Imagine losing a finger!) |
| would’ve thought? | | | | Basic Whittling Techniques. It goes without saying |
| So you want to whittle wood. Good for you. | | | | but you’ve got to be sure. Keep fingers and all |
| Whittling is the simple removal of pare shavings or | | | | other body parts away from knife edges. Take no |
| cutting small bits from a piece of wood with a knife | | | | chances. |
| or a similar wedge-edged tool. No more, no less. | | | | - When gripping your knife, your thumb should be |
| So what does it take to become a good whittler? | | | | against the spine with the edge facing your fingers. |
| To become a good whittler, you’ll need to know | | | | - Each knife stroke you make should be away from |
| several things. You’ll need to know how to | | | | your body. Never stroke towards your body. You |
| choose the right wood and the right knife. | | | | know you’re just asking for it. |
| You’ll want to know some basic whittling | | | | - The hand holding the knife should be further from |
| techniques and just a bit about maintenance and | | | | your body than the hand holding the piece of wood. |
| storage. | | | | -Â Lock your wrists for better control. |
| Choosing the Wood. | | | | - Tuck your elbows into your sides to limit free |
| - Soft woods are best for whittling. Pine cuts | | | | movement. |
| very easily but isn’t able to hold detail well. | | | | Whittling Recommendations. |
| Basswood and Balsa are also very popular. | | | | - Use a wide-beveled knife edge to cut soft wood |
| - Birch, cedar and maple aren’t considered to | | | | or semi-soft wood. Conversely, use a |
| be soft woods but they are often used for whittling. | | | | narrow-beveled knife edge to cut hardwood. A |
| -Â When selecting wood for whittling, rely on two | | | | narrow bevel means a higher cutting angle which |
| things: a straight grain and uniform color. A straight | | | | means a stronger edge. |
| grain is usually a softer wood than crossed grains. | | | | - When you’re done for the day, clean and dry |
| Because changes in color usually mean changes in | | | | your knives. A light coating of lubricant is |
| hardness, you’ll want to avoid this. When all | | | | recommended for your knife blades. Linseed oil is |
| else fails, press down on the wood with your | | | | recommended for your wood handles. Take care of |
| thumbnail and rely on that to tell you how hard it is. | | | | your knives and they could last your lifetime. |
| - If whittling wood is difficult to purchase, you could | | | | - If your knives don’t already have a case, |
| check your local lumberyard for a scrap bin. You | | | | store them in a way that protects their edges. Be |
| just might find a treasure trove. | | | | sure that wherever they are, it’s safe and |
| Choosing the Knife. There is no one specific type or | | | | secure. Only you should be able to get to them. |
| brand of knife that is best for whittling. Mostly, | | | | - If you decide to use more tools than just a knife, |
| it’s a matter of comfort. | | | | you’ll be entering the world of detailed wood |
| - Avoid stainless steel knives. It isn’t easy to | | | | carving. Just clarifying that for you. |
| sharpen them correctly. Even when you do, they | | | | Sharpening Your Knife. Factory-made whittling |
| usually can’t hold a very sharp edge for too | | | | knives are often unsharpened. This is preferable to |
| long. This makes them highly inefficient. | | | | a sharpened knife because dedicated whittlers prefer |
| - Most whittlers like small knives that fit in the palm | | | | to make their own sharpening angles. |
| of your hand. Others like pocket knives, switchblade | | | | - You can use any of various coarse grade |
| knives or folding knives (with lockable blades) that | | | | sharpening stones or a ceramic steel to create the |
| can be opened with one hand. Comfort and | | | | cutting angles. |
| portability rule. | | | | -Â A diamond slipstone or a diamond pocket file are |
| - Special whittling knives have short plump handles | | | | great portables for times when you’re on the |
| that give you an easier grip and better control. And | | | | go. Or you can use them for quick touch-ups on |
| because whittling involves extended periods, this is | | | | your edges.   |
| really great for precision and control. | | | | -Â A well-sharpened knife edge will need a strop to |
| Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | | | | remove the burr and all other micro-bits from the |
| - Some whittling knives come in kits. These kits | | | | edge. This improves the whittling process and |
| may have several knives, each with a different edge | | | | delays further sharpening. If you prefer, a honing |
| shape. Or the kit might have a knife handle and | | | | compound and honing board will also get that edge |
| several differently shaped blade edges that are | | | | smooth. |
| interchangeable. Different edges allow for much | | | | - If you haven’t learned how to sharpen a |
| better maneuverability.   | | | | knife and maintain its edge, these are among the first |
| - When you’re ready to buy one, shop | | | | things you should learn. You’ll be more |
| around. Test them out. Give yourself time to find | | | | independent and as efficient as possible.  |
| the best fit and comfort for your hands.   | | | | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| Safety Tips. | | | | Len Q. is a master blade sharpener and an adventurer |
| - You’ll be working with a small piece of wood | | | | who strives to protect the natural world. If you |
| and a small knife. First thing then is the knife. It | | | | would like to learn about |
| should be balanced and have light weight. More than | | | |            - Knife Sharpening: How to |
| anything else, it must be comfortable in your hand. | | | | Sharpen Knives, Maintain and Store Them |
| If it isn’t, you shouldn’t use it. | | | |            - Sharpening Other Edges |
| - Wear gloves. Think of it this way, if you cut | | | |              (e.g. |
| your hands or fingers, you’re done. You | | | | |