Whittling Wood Like an Expert— A Simple Guide

Wood Selection for Whittling

Almost any wood will work fine for whittling. If you’re anxious to get started and are curious about whittling techniques, just find a stick or piece of wood and start slicing away. If you want to start with pre-cut wood, buy blocks and stick to softwoods. The hardness of wood is graded using the Janka Wood Hardness Scale, so you’ll want to look for something like basswood that’s near the bottom. Basswood is a common choice for whittling. Pine and cedar work too. All of these wood varieties are soft enough to work through easily, but also hold on to the details well, helping you get started with your hobby as a beginner.

Essential Tools for Whittling Wood

Whittling knife

The simplest knife to use for whittling wood is a pocket knife. It’s easy to carry and has other functions. Unlike specialty knives, pocket knives can be found almost anywhere. Pocket knives with several different blades can give you variety in your cuts. Browse the best whittling knives for every budget, need and experience level. If you have some experience and are fairly proficient with whittling knife use, consider pocket knives with multiple blades.

A serious carving knife

A serious, yet inexpensive carving knife has a larger handle for more control and usually stays sharper longer than your average pocket knife. They also are generally easier to sharpen and are better at detailed work, like feathers and beaks. Just be careful because these are fixed blades. You may want to consider putting an old wine cork on the end as protection.

Specialty carving knives

As with any hobby, whittling wood can come with an array of accouterments. A knife with a curved blade, like the one above, is useful when carving spoons. The curved blade helps cut the bowl of spoons and ladles. It is harder to sharpen than straight knives but makes short work of curved cuts.

Whittling gloves

Safety comes first, and protective gloves should be an important part of your set of safety tools for whittling wood. There are a number of glove styles out there to protect you. Some of the best options include a cut-proof glove with a Kevlar palm. It’s pretty hard to hurt yourself while wearing one of these. It is also pretty hard to feel the wood and manipulate the knife. Old timers don’t wear any protection while whittling wood. However, you may feel more comfortable starting out with something that protects your digits.

Sharpening stone or strop

So you’ve stopped to sharpen the blade while whittling wood. Great but what are you using? This can certainly be personal preference, but there are two basic camps: strops or stones. Typically, those using a pocket knife use a stone, while those using a carving knife will use a leather strop. You can make your own strop by gluing part of a belt to a piece of wood. Draw the blade back and forth several times at a low angle (10 to 20 degrees) until the desired sharpness is achieved.

Best Whittling Techniques for Beginners

If you’re a beginner, there are a few recommendations that can help you get started. Aside from the obvious things and the beginner wood carving tips and the best whittling techniques mentioned here, you can consider simple woodworking projects like sticks and worms or other animals, like simple birds. As for equipment, there are many kits for whittling wood out there that come with outlines and basic plans. Find one that intrigues you, just don’t start with one that requires a great deal of detail. You will build up your skill level as you practice. Try going layer by layer, roughing out the body and then redrawing the lines to make finer detail.

Location: where to whittle

The nice thing about whittling wood is that it can be done anywhere. All you need is a knife and a stick. The idyllic vision of whittling wood has you sitting on the back porch while the sun goes down, chatting with a friend or a child. Also, many communities have groups of whittlers that meet, hang out and carve. Just remember that no matter where you whittle, always clean up after yourself.

Making cuts

You may have been told to always cut away from yourself and yes, this is generally a good rule. However, when whittling wood, several cuts require you to cut toward yourself. The rough cut is a hard pushing cut that takes off large chunks. The thumb-push uses the secondary hand’s thumb to guide the blade as you cut. The paring cuts, like if you’re paring apples, is a pulling cut that cuts toward you and your thumb. It can take a bit of practice to get these cuts right.

Whittle with a dull knife

An old axiom when using any blade is that a dull blade will cut quicker than a sharp one. The thought seems counterintuitive at first, but it makes sense when you think about the force needed to make the cut. The harder you have to push or pull to remove the excess wood, the greater the force the blade may hit you with if it slips. When you notice the cut getting harder, stop and sharpen the blade using your stone or strop.

Bonus Tip #1: Pay attention to the grain

Pay attention to the grain of wood while whittling. When you carve, go in the direction of the grain, as going against it can cause splintering. Following the grain will allow for smoother, easier and cleaner cuts. Try and practice reading the grain on sticks, blocks and other pieces of wood until you get some clarity.

Bonus Tip #2: Prioritize a comfortable hand position

Excessive force and tension can quickly cause fatigue in your muscles and joints. Remember, maintaining an easy grip, though firm, is key when you’re holding the knife. Position the wood securely and at the right angle to make the right cuts. Consider different knife grips and positions such as the pencil grip and the fist grip to see how well your hand is able to handle it.

Common mistakes in wood carving:

While techniques are mastered over time, you might also want to steer clear of common mistakes when whittling wood to make steady progress.

• Avoid choosing unevenly grained wood or hardwoods like walnut, oak or cherry. Stick to evenly grained softwoods such as pine or basswood.
• Start with  sharp blades and only make cuts with dull blades once you have a fair degree of skill and the ability to read wood grain.
• Don’t rush through projects and take your time to go through every detail. Urgency can lead to mistakes and worse—injury.
• Avoid overlooking the grain, as this can help you direct the cuts effectively.
• Always learn to protect yourself and do not skip out on safety equipment, such as gloves.

FAQ

What wood is easiest to carve for beginners?

Softwoods are the easiest to carve for beginners. Pinewood, cedar and basswood are some of the most widely available options. If you’re nervous about getting started directly on wood, you could also try your hand at starting on a bar of soap and then move on to softwoods.

How do I keep my knife sharp while carving?

Get in the habit of using sharpening stones or strops to sharpen your knives. Sharpen your knives if you notice you’re applying more force while carving. Sharp knives cut better and last longer.

Sources

• Scouting America – “Whittling”
• Swiss Knife Shop – “Whittling 101: An Introduction to Whittling Wood”
• Knifet – “Types of knives by use”
• WoodBeeCarver – “Century of Whittling – 1865 to 1965”
• Whittled Lovelies – “The Best Knives for Woodcarving”
• Schaaf Tools – “Whittling Safety Tips for Beginners: Essential Tools, Techniques and Best Practices”