Whittling/carving information?

[unit]

Can anyone share some resources (links perhaps) to information regarding whittling? Specifically, I enjoy carving little useless trinkets out of scrap wood, but I suck at it and would enjoy learning from others that might want to share some helpful info.

Anyone know of such a resource?

Thanks,
Ken

P.S. if any of you guys also like carving/whittling, please post up some pictures of your work!

[Jazz]

I love whittling - whether accually making something or just turning a stick into a pile of shavings. You could just try "whittling" with the search function at the top of the forum, but I bumped up to the top a couple of threads for you to check out. One's in general discussion and one's in off topic.

- best wishes, Jazz.

[Ski]

I love whittling - whether accually making something or just turning a stick into a pile of shavings. - best wishes, Jazz.

+1

There are few things I appreciate more than time spent outside with a good sharp friend, a straight-grained stick, and a head full of thoughts!

[rodloos]

I'll be interested in seeing what others say in response to this too!

I enjoy whittling, but have zero talent! :D I have started whittling a wooden chain just for practice, kind of like this link shows: http://www.ehow.com/how_5056435_whittle ... rving.html

But when whittling I sometimes find myself liking small narrow blades to reach into delicate curves, such as the old classic slip-joints my grandfather might have used. Which current Spyderco's have a blade like that? Something like a Ladybug has a small blade, but not really narrow.

[Jazz]

I'll be interested in seeing what others say in response to this too!

I enjoy whittling, but have zero talent! :D I have started whittling a wooden chain just for practice, kind of like this link shows: http://www.ehow.com/how_5056435_whittle ... rving.html

But when whittling I sometimes find myself liking small narrow blades to reach into delicate curves, such as the old classic slip-joints my grandfather might have used. Which current Spyderco's have a blade like that? Something like a Ladybug has a small blade, but not really narrow.

For my actual carving, I use old style pocketknives for that reason. I wish I had pics to show you besides this one of a back scratcher I'm working on. The Urban wasn't used on it - it's just for a fancy pic.



I make pendants out of wood, rock, bone, metal... whatever, and sell the necklaces to the waitresses where I work. I've done most of the tricks like ball in cage, sliding joints, chains, etc. and made them into pendants. NOT without a lot of broken attempts, though. Just practice and be patient. I'm about to attempt carving on a SS Ladybug - I hope I don't wreck it. Check the off topic thread, if you haven't already.

- best wishes, Jazz.

[Pneumothorax]

Unit, in the Whittler Recommmendation Needed thread, there is a link to a tutorial on how to do a ball in cage posted by Yablanowitz. A good project to take on. Ive done 1.9 of them. The last one is only .9 done since i have to round off the ball to make it roll better. Take a look and have fun.

[unit]

Thanks guys.

I figured that the best way to learn would be to just start out and tear some stuff up...hopefully I won't cut off any phalanges!

While I want to produce some neat stuff, I am unwilling to "cheat" and use tools other than what I have as an EDC. I suppose that is a built in excuse to explain why my finished trinkets are crummy

I carved a little heart out of the end of a stick with my Salt the other night while waiting for my wife to finish her e-mailing rituals...it is crap and she did not even know what it was, but I will post up a photo of it later for giggles. May be it will encourage others with similar (read "little") talent to post up their efforts?

[unit]

Unit, in the Whittler Recommmendation Needed thread, there is a link to a tutorial on how to do a ball in cage posted by Yablanowitz. A good project to take on. Ive done 1.9 of them. The last one is only .9 done since i have to round off the ball to make it roll better. Take a look and have fun.

I think that link is dead...

This one?
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/cache/articles/t2/bic.htm

No workie for me...

[Pneumothorax]

I think that link is dead...

This one?
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/cache/articles/t2/bic.htm

No workie for me...

Sorry about that. Here are a couple more links - not as good as the original link, though:
http://www.wikihow.com/Whittle-a-Ball-in-a-Cage
http://www.ehow.com/how_2323478_whittle-ball-cage.html

I have hard copy of the dead link tutorial that shows the most pics step-by-step - pm me if you want me to send you a scanned file.

[Jazz]

Thanks guys.

I figured that the best way to learn would be to just start out and tear some stuff up...hopefully I won't cut off any phalanges!

While I want to produce some neat stuff, I am unwilling to "cheat" and use tools other than what I have as an EDC. I suppose that is a built in excuse to explain why my finished trinkets are crummy

I carved a little heart out to the end of a stick with my Salt the other night while waiting for my wife to finish her e-mailing rituals...it is crap and she did not even know what it was, but I will post up a photo of it later for giggles. May be it will encourage others with similar (read "little") talent to post up their efforts?

Okay, now you've got to show us :)

- best wishes, Jazz.

[unit]

Okay, now you've got to show us :)

- best wishes, Jazz.

You from the Show Me State too?

I will post up a pic later...it is nothing to get excited over, but it re-lit the whittling spark for me that went out over 25 years ago!

Pneumothorax, I may hit you up later for that scan. The links you provided make it look so easy...Only 6 steps ehh? Somehow I think I may be adding a step (or two) for bandage application when I get around to my tutorial :)

Thanks for the links you provided, they seem to give me enough to go on...for now

[unit]

Okay, now you've got to show us :)

- best wishes, Jazz.

Here you go. Like I said, nothing to impressive, but I enjoyed doing it and I think that is the real point.

[Ski]

Here you go. Like I said, nothing to impressive, but I enjoyed doing it and I think that is the real point.

Unfortunately, that attitude led me to become a ski bum, who makes pointy sticks in the summer.

At least I'm working on college..sort of!

Thanks for posting the picture!

[ChapmanPreferred]

Nice.

[Jazz]

Here you go. Like I said, nothing to impressive, but I enjoyed doing it and I think that is the real point.

Cool - that's what whittling should be. Just fun and relaxation. It's also a great excuse to actually use your Spydies and get an idea of how well they cut, etc. I like to do nonsense, random shapes on sticks. If you want a really easy to carve wood, try Basswood (also called Linden). Thanks for sharing the picture.

- best wishes, Jazz.

[sesshin]

you might want to check out this forum. lots of whittlers over there.
http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/forum/

[Scottie3000]

I can make a sweet stick spear and a killer wooden pickle. LOL.

[unit]

I can make a sweet stick spear and a killer wooden pickle. LOL.

Pictures or it did not happen :D

I whittled some marshmallow roasting skewers last night as a preliminary step of s'more construction (I am REALLY trying to over-sell the magnitude of this undertaking). The finished products were not all that pretty but they functioned flawlessly. Tried to make a video, but lost the file...I guess it did not really happen LOL.

My kids now have a greater appreciation for my knife hobbies!

[Scottie3000]

Pictures or it did not happen :D

It was more of a joke, like the balloon artist that can make snakes and worms. But if you must, i'll take a pic or two.

[unit]

It was more of a joke, like the balloon artist that can make snakes and worms. But if you must, i'll take a pic or two.

Yeah, I got that...mine was a joke too. Tone never comes across well on these forums. Sorry.

I will say that a pickle might actually give me some difficulty at this point :p