Knife for whittling?

Well this thread brought back memories and gave me the itch again, so I bought a block of basswood and began on my second ball in cage. I figured I'd model this one after Buzzbait's. Just got the ball freed from the rails, so now it's just a matter of making it pretty. Don't know if it will ever be as nice as Buzz's, but it will definitely be better looking than the first one I posted. Here is the work in progress. If you look at my thumb you can see the love kiss my buck gave me while freeing the ball.:rolleyes:

Mike
 

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I'm already happy with the way this has turned out. Not bad for my second attempt IMHO:) . Anyway, I'm just about ready to sand everything smoothe, and stain it. Buzz, if you read this, what did you use to finish your ball in cage?

Mike
 

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Not at all. Balsa is completely unsuitable for whittling. Basswood is called linden wood in Europe. It is much denser than balsa, cuts very nicely in different directions, and has minimal grain. It will hold very fine detail. It has less tendency to split along grain line than most other woods. Most of the old European carvings seen in Churches are carved from Linden (Bass) wood.

However, basswood is boring. It has no real color or character. For small whittling projects were the character of the wood is not of primary importance, or for small figurines that will be painted, it is ideal because of its superior working characteristics. For larger carvings, the fruit woods (cherry, walnut, etc) are much more interesting, although more difficult to work than basswood.

Paracarver
 
All that's left now is to apply some sort of finish. Everything is sanded as smoothe as I can get it, and the ball is about as round as I can do using only my hands and sandpaper. Here is another pic.

Mike
 

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I am pretty impressed Medic!! How long did that take you?? I am going to go buy a book on Whittling Thursday and I already bought about 5 slipjoints suitable for the job. I hope to start one by teh weekend
 
I started on it the night before last, worked on it most of yesterday while at work, and did the sanding today.

Mike
 
:eek: :eek: WOW!! Those are freakin' amazing!! I don't think I'll be doing any of those in the near future. The two ball in cages that I have posted in this thread are the only whittling projects I have done, so I am a real novice. Those are unreal! I would love to see those in person. The only thing I have seen that even comes close is this ivory carving my dad brought back from Okinawa during the war. It is a small pedistal that has a small (< 1") ball on top with several holes. If you look in the holes, you will see 3 more balls inside each other:eek: That has to be very challenging, and requires very special carving tools.

Mike
 
Well today I got the Uncle Henry Whittlin' Kit and a few other whittlin knives, Now my question is where do I go to buy more of the blocks?? I am starting my first project, the Ball in cage, any advise?? Thanks
 
Most hobby stores carry the basswood. Advice: Just take your time, and have fun. Follow the diagram that Buzz gave earlier. I think the next one I have will either have two balls in it, or maybe I'll make the rails spiral instead of straight.

Mike
 
this is for the ball in cage experts.,...... how do i dig out the wood that i dont want? this is a pic of my work so far, its m y first real whittling project, other than some whistles and spears

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and how is the schrade trapper, or the schrade bearhead trapper knives?
 
Great, I will have to check out the local hobby stores. I started with the piece that came with my whittlin' Kit, Below is an attached pic of my progress. I started about an hour and half ago. I got the one sides rough finish done, I need to start the other side. I really didn't follow the diagram to well and I have a fear that my ball, once I get to it, will just fall out :eek: Thats why I am already figuring out where to get more wood:D By the way, I am taking a break for an hour or so, My freaking fingers hurt:(
 
baddy, how did you hollow it out like that!?!?!?!!?!?

and is the schrade trapper, or the bearhead trapper any good?

and what knives are good to whittle? im using,,,,,, a sak, a crkt emerson mini commander i think
and some other junk.
 
I suggest a puukko-style knife for whittling.

Folders like the Endura etc. aren't optimal for the job because they are sharpened to a 40 (or so) degree angle. A larger angle will be better for whittling as it doesn't stick and jam into the wood so easily.

Guards on a knife will definitely get in the way as well.
 
Originally posted by armlessbandit
baddy, how did you hollow it out like that!?!?!?!!?!?

and is the schrade trapper, or the bearhead trapper any good?

and what knives are good to whittle?
Click to expand...

I just am making small cuts at a 45d angle. I am using a Scrade Uncle Henry and an Old Timer :)
 
At the rate you are going, you should be fine with the size of the ball. Just hollow out both sides on all sides then work on making the ball. Take a little off one side, then another, then another, working around the sides. Just remember, like a ball, the center (as you look at it) will have more wood, while it tapers off towards the cage. You just take wood away from the sides until you can free it from the cage bars. Hard to describe. Just remove all the wood that doesn't make a round ball:p. When asked by family how I made mine, I just said the ball and cage was already there, I just removed the wood that didn't belong.

Mike
 
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