Whittling Projects

Whittling is the art and style of woodcarving performed using a carving knife. Whittling typically produces a sculpture as opposed to relief carving and other techniques that add details to a piece such as furniture. A trademark for whittling is that the knife strokes are clearly visible on the final piece that gives it a rugged natural feel. Whittling uses both hardwood and softwood depending on the outcome; however softwood produces a finer grain as opposed to hardwood. The most common wood used is the pine, balsa and balsawood. Whittling is a time-based hobby that is both relaxing and fun. Here is a discussion on major whittling projects.

Whittling a Wooden Egg

This project illustrates the law of grain direction (grain dynamic) and allows you to make slicing cuts both with the grain, against the grain and across the grain. Starting off can be intimidating; however it teaches you how to round and shape a project while building hand-strength and confidence. The task of this project is to whittle an egg from a square block using basic knife cuts. To complete this project one needs a bench knife, pencil, basswood block and appropriate finishing supplies such as paint, sandpaper, oils and wax among others.

Whittling a Three-Link Chain  

This is one of the most interesting old time whittling projects the making of a chain. This project has been around for a long time although it is not considered a piece of fine wood sculpture, although it shows the skill of the whittling art. This project shows how to curve only three links of a chain. Repeating the pattern on a longer piece of wood can make a longer chain. A longer chain and more elaborate chain can be whittled after learning the basics. The carver should have basic requirements including: the layout, materials and requirements, cleanup, rough-out and finish.

Whittling a Wood Spirit

There are many shapes, sizes and designs of wood spirits, and different techniques of carving them. The project will require one to have: Small piece of pear wood, a small wood saw, whittling knife, sand paper, walnut dye and leather landyard 30cm long. You start the project by gaining an off cut piece of the wood and ensure it has no radial splits running through its length and chose a piece that has no knots. Pear wood is a lovely creamy wood which is great for carving and its grain is easy and does not run away too much when slicing with the knife. The wood spirits are used as gifts and others are applied scented oils and it could be used as a car air freshener.

Whittling Dogs  

Soft woods are the best such as white pine and basswood and the wood should not have lots of knots. Dog whittling projects are old time projects that have been there for many years. The common whittling cuts of this project include; the pare cut or pull stroke, one of the simplest and most common cuts. The push stroke is made by pushing the blade away from you and this technique can be used in roughing out your project’s general shape and later with smaller shaving cuts to achieve finer detail. The V-cut or channel is used to show detail in your carving in the form of hair or scales and uses the point of the knife.