Whittling (With Traditional Knives)

Status
Not open for further replies.
Same here. I just tell them "it was always there, you just couldn't see it because the wood was in the way". ;) :D
 
That's a big project to start your oddyssey of woodcarving. I have a walking stick, made of sections of ball in cage pieces. Got it from an old woodcarver in Shippensburg, he is long gone now unfortunately. A couple really nice walking sticks and hiking staffs. He lived about two hours from me, and every time I went to visit him, was with my buddy. They were good friends from way back. Every time he started to teach me something about woodcarving, my buddy was hollerin' it was time to get back on the road. I wonder if my buddy knows how he made those sections. He would moisten the wood so it was pliable, I forget what kind of wood it was. Not from trying to use it, but the walking stick headpiece did get broken off. Never got back to him with it to get it fixed.

Anyway, knife wise... He used all manner of woods, and he usually had some carving tools with him. I do remember seeing him with a small pocket knife, because he carved an "old man of the woods" totem for me at a woodcraft show with one. His likeness, similar to the old man of the woods, on a 1/4 in diameter dowell.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
That's a big project to start your oddyssey of woodcarving. I have a walking stick, made of sections of ball in cage pieces. Got it from an old woodcarver in Shippensburg, he is long gone now unfortunately. A couple really nice walking sticks and hiking staffs. He lived about two hours from me, and every time I went to visit him, was with my buddy. They were good friends from way back. Every time he started to teach me something about woodcarving, my buddy was hollerin' it was time to get back on the road. I wonder if my buddy knows how he made those sections. He would moisten the wood so it was pliable, I forget what kind of wood it was. Not from trying to use it, but the walking stick headpiece did get broken off. Never got back to him with it to get it fixed.

Anyway, knife wise... He used all manner of woods, and he usually had some carving tools with him. I do remember seeing him with a small pocket knife, because he carved an "old man of the woods" totem for me at a woodcraft show with one. His likeness, similar to the old man of the woods, on a 1/4 in diameter dowell.
Click to expand...

I would love to see pics if you have them.
 
I have done some whittling in the past, but all my "toys" are gone now. I don't think I can do it now. But I may give it a shot. I made a small boat years ago and a chain with 8 links. The boat might be carving instead of whittling, but I did it with an Eye brand stockman rather than tools. The chain was carved with one of my 250B (2-blade) Silver Knights and I used both blades.

Archie would not have to have been worried though. I enjoyed doing them, but did not jump into a career or hobby of whittling though.

Ed
 
I went to Michaels and bought myself a block of Basswood this afternoon. I'm going to give it a try carving a small figure.
 
Can anyone tell me how to lay out the chain? I would like to try my hand at carving one. I have carved a few spoons and want to try the chain.
 
I do this in my spare time...:yawn:

12+Amazing+Pieces+of+Pencil+Art+8.jpg


(...with my eyes closed and one hand tied behind my back, because it's too easy otherwise) :p
 
the rat said:
Can anyone tell me how to lay out the chain? I would like to try my hand at carving one. I have carved a few spoons and want to try the chain.
Click to expand...

I've done some chain, but I didn't really do a layout. I just started at one end of the piece and started whittling links, making them longer until they worked the way I wanted.

Here's my latest work-in-progress. You can more or less see how I procede.

DSCF1038.jpg


DSCF1039.jpg


DSCF1040.jpg
 
yablanowitz said:
I've done some chain, but I didn't really do a layout. I just started at one end of the piece and started whittling links, making them longer until they worked the way I wanted.

Here's my latest work-in-progress. You can more or less see how I procede.

DSCF1038.jpg


DSCF1039.jpg


DSCF1040.jpg
Click to expand...

:thumbup:That's awesome , what kind of wood is that, that you are using?
 
Random stick I picked up off the ground. Since it was under a Silver Maple tree, I'm guessing that's what it is. ;)
 
KnifeHead said:
I do this in my spare time...:yawn:

12+Amazing+Pieces+of+Pencil+Art+8.jpg


(...with my eyes closed and one hand tied behind my back, because it's too easy otherwise) :p
Click to expand...

You wish! Isn't that amazing! I'm a wax carver, but carving something the size of pencil lead?, no way! The real "carver" is probably seen on Men In Black, but he is so covered in graghite, the light missed him.
 
Last edited:
cocobolo is a tough wood to carve for your first time. Pine is much like basswood except pine will tend to split when u get deeper where basswood is like carving a hard sponge. Patience is vital with carving your job will get done just takes time. Sharpen your knife after your done carving each time that way your blade isnt geting crap all over your work. Im not shure how to post pictures but my kitchen table has an ivory pattern around it done buy my pocket knife and 4 or 5 sticks with a ball in a cage. Dont start with cocobolo start with pine or cedar cocobolo can turn u off whittling easyly
 
Spardoug said:
cocobolo is a tough wood to carve for your first time. Pine is much like basswood except pine will tend to split when u get deeper where basswood is like carving a hard sponge. Patience is vital with carving your job will get done just takes time. Sharpen your knife after your done carving each time that way your blade isnt geting crap all over your work. Im not shure how to post pictures but my kitchen table has an ivory pattern around it done buy my pocket knife and 4 or 5 sticks with a ball in a cage. Dont start with cocobolo start with pine or cedar cocobolo can turn u off whittling easyly
Click to expand...

I would love to see a picture of that table, that is great that you have the ability to do something like that.
 
I made this for my wife, but I didn't finish it until yesterday! Luckily, I had her a couple of other Valentines on Monday!

p2160008.jpg


This started out as a block of pine. I only used these 2 Opinels for the carving.

p2160001t.jpg
 
I do a bit of whittling here and there. Basswood's good but I prefer to whittle sticks, it's just cheaper.

My first (and only) ball in cage that I did just recently, made of basswood.
knives.jpg


Woodspirit.
knives030.jpg
knives024.jpg


and a Valentines day gift...
knives041.jpg
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top