How to Select Whittling Tools
The word, whittling, brings to mind an image of the porch of a country store, where men sporting straw hats and "chaws" discuss laconically the events of the day and punctuate their conversation with flying wood chips. But really, anyone can do it. Here's how to choose the proper tools.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Whittling Knives Or Knives
- Sharpening Stones
- Whittling Tools
- Wood Rasps
- Strops
- Blocks Of Wood For Carving
- Sanding Sticks
- Wood Chisels
- Wood Files
- Wood Gouges
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1
Test out some knives at a knife or hobby store or shop. Many whittlers stick to folding pocketknives because of their portability and convenience. Some demand a knife that can be opened and closed with one hand. And some like to have a selection handy.
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2
Decide on what kind and how many knives you require. At a minimum, you want one that fits your hand and is well-balanced and comfortable.
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3
Consider sharpening materials. Factory-made whittling knives leave the factory unsharpened, because whittlers are picky about their blades. You'll need a sharpening block and a strop to hone the blade if you want to sharpen your own (and at some point you will, even if it's sharp to begin with).
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4
Test out some other tools at a woodworking or art supply store. After a knife, your next acquisition should probably be a good quality set of standard-sized palm chisels - but some carvers use gouges, rasps, and sanding sticks as well.
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5
Decide whether you'll need any other tools. Some whittlers believe that anything other than a whittling knife turns whittling into carving. Others believe there's a big middle ground.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Dedicated whittlers eschew stainless-steel blades because they can't be sharpened properly.
A soft or semi-hard wood is best carved with a wide-bevel knife edge; a hardwood, with a narrow-bevel edge, so experienced whittlers sharpen their knives accordingly.
Switchblade knives are popular with some whittlers.
Whittling tools, properly sharpened, are dangerous - make sure to keep them away from children.
