Whittling and Wood Carving
Introduction to Whittling
Here we define the whittling of wood and the carving of wood using simple hand tools such as a whittling knife or a Flexcut blade of wood carving tools. The techniques and instructions with examples are included for all to get inspiration from.
Whittling and Wood Carving
Carving wood in its simplicity and pure form is the message. To produce something in a spontaneous manner and which is personals for that moment this is what it is. In this day of mass production and copying this activity is original. What the craft man produces is original. This item is the only one of its kind.
Commercial
As said before this art form has reached such an evolved level that it has commercial value. That objects can be sold into a market such as craft fairs or into retails outlets or online sale outlets. Only certain whittling woods are mostly used here .
Woods for Whittling
Here are many types of woods suitable for woods for whittling and wood carving and the choice is personal and is around the type of project to be made. Before using a wood there are some considerations.
There are the issues of type of grain, damage to the wood, imperfections and the wetness. Damp or wet wood is more difficult for carving and could warp or crack on drying
Here we define the whittling of wood and the carving of wood using simple hand tools such as a whittling knife or a Flexcut blade of wood carving tools. The techniques and instructions with examples are included for all to get inspiration from.
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| Patriotic Wood Carving c 1800 - On mount and Decorative Painted |
Whittling and Wood Carving
Carving wood in its simplicity and pure form is the message. To produce something in a spontaneous manner and which is personals for that moment this is what it is. In this day of mass production and copying this activity is original. What the craft man produces is original. This item is the only one of its kind.
It is unique and this is the satisfaction for the craftsman.
Ever since man could source and hold up a stick he has tried to whittle wood in some way or another. The first fashioning of a stick point is the most primitive action of whittling or wood carving or wooden icon or utensil .
Down the ages from a clam shell or a sharp edged rock to a pocket knife or a specialized knife this activity has evolved in to an art form.
In modern society the earliest image is that of the old guy sitting on the porch in the country with a piece of wood in his hand cutting and shaping away.
Today this process has reached a very evolved art form which has even commercial possibilities. You can sell these special today carvings into a market where there is demand or you can become a paid teacher to students here.
Recreation
The first point about whittling is that it is for recreation and relaxation. Like all hobbies where you do things with you hands and actually create some thing for keepsake or for use this is deeply satisfying.
Creating something through you hands is therapeutic and even meditative. It is active and therefore positive to your well being in a way that builds. This is different to going to the bar every night to come back to peace and calm again after a hard day or a restless period. And it is portable and very cheap activity to do. All you need is a pocket knife and a small piece of wood and you’re all set to go.
One of the nice things is that you can be working on different projects at the same time.
Ever since man could source and hold up a stick he has tried to whittle wood in some way or another. The first fashioning of a stick point is the most primitive action of whittling or wood carving or wooden icon or utensil .
Down the ages from a clam shell or a sharp edged rock to a pocket knife or a specialized knife this activity has evolved in to an art form.
In modern society the earliest image is that of the old guy sitting on the porch in the country with a piece of wood in his hand cutting and shaping away.
Today this process has reached a very evolved art form which has even commercial possibilities. You can sell these special today carvings into a market where there is demand or you can become a paid teacher to students here.
Recreation
The first point about whittling is that it is for recreation and relaxation. Like all hobbies where you do things with you hands and actually create some thing for keepsake or for use this is deeply satisfying.
Creating something through you hands is therapeutic and even meditative. It is active and therefore positive to your well being in a way that builds. This is different to going to the bar every night to come back to peace and calm again after a hard day or a restless period. And it is portable and very cheap activity to do. All you need is a pocket knife and a small piece of wood and you’re all set to go.
One of the nice things is that you can be working on different projects at the same time.
You could say there is a difference between whittling and woodcarving by way of mind space. Basic whittling can be a purely spontaneous affair Or whittling and carving or sculpturing wood could be set up as a project in a planned way with an exact form shape and materials in mind.
Basic whittling you just sit down with your materials at hand and carve away with not too much in mind and let some spontaneity com out of it
Commercial
As said before this art form has reached such an evolved level that it has commercial value. That objects can be sold into a market such as craft fairs or into retails outlets or online sale outlets. Only certain whittling woods are mostly used here .
Liberty Cap Wood Carving c 1800 - Decorative Painted
Woods for Whittling
Here are many types of woods suitable for woods for whittling and wood carving and the choice is personal and is around the type of project to be made. Before using a wood there are some considerations.
There are the issues of type of grain, damage to the wood, imperfections and the wetness. Damp or wet wood is more difficult for carving and could warp or crack on drying
Read More on Whittling Woods >>
Whittling and Wood Carving Techniques
The techniques for wood whittling or carving or sculpting are the standard ones in use for learning how to carve in wood. They have been use in time and memorial here for this art of shaping wooden figures
and the like........More on Carving Techniques >>
Knives used in Wood Carving and Whittling
If you want to know how to carve wood then one needs the right tools to whittle or carve with. This is both a personal and technical quest to produce the most lovely carvings. study of what carving tools are available and what suites you is by experimentation and research. Here are some of the best around............... More on Wood Carving >>
Resources
Every hobby such as this wood craft of carving in wood needs resources to have best results . Whether this be an instruction book on whittling or a thumb guard these are outlined here and are all important.........More on Resources >>
YouTube Videos on Whittling and Wood Carving Wood
Here we present examples of wood whittling and the carving techniques for timber by way of You Tube videos ........ >>
Wood Carving
The carving of wood can be a deeply satisfying pastime as both a Hobby of passion and a business opportunity . Yes there are people who earn a full time living doing this as there is an ongoing demand for old tradition in this techno bent world. Its a stable sane way to literally carve a place for you in the world toady if you want .... More on Wood Carving >>
Finishing and Decorating Wood Carvings
When we have the final carved project one can leave it just as it is natural state with all
the rough chiseled marks and gouges that the carving has . But there are a range of finishes and techniques which are very available and widely used that increase the appeal and desirability to enjoying the carved or whittled project even more so.....More on Carving Finishing >>>
Whittling and Wood Carving Techniques
The techniques for wood whittling or carving or sculpting are the standard ones in use for learning how to carve in wood. They have been use in time and memorial here for this art of shaping wooden figures
and the like........More on Carving Techniques >>
Knives used in Wood Carving and Whittling
If you want to know how to carve wood then one needs the right tools to whittle or carve with. This is both a personal and technical quest to produce the most lovely carvings. study of what carving tools are available and what suites you is by experimentation and research. Here are some of the best around............... More on Wood Carving >>
Resources
Every hobby such as this wood craft of carving in wood needs resources to have best results . Whether this be an instruction book on whittling or a thumb guard these are outlined here and are all important.........More on Resources >>
YouTube Videos on Whittling and Wood Carving Wood
Here we present examples of wood whittling and the carving techniques for timber by way of You Tube videos ........ >>
Wood Carving
The carving of wood can be a deeply satisfying pastime as both a Hobby of passion and a business opportunity . Yes there are people who earn a full time living doing this as there is an ongoing demand for old tradition in this techno bent world. Its a stable sane way to literally carve a place for you in the world toady if you want .... More on Wood Carving >>
Finishing and Decorating Wood Carvings
When we have the final carved project one can leave it just as it is natural state with all
the rough chiseled marks and gouges that the carving has . But there are a range of finishes and techniques which are very available and widely used that increase the appeal and desirability to enjoying the carved or whittled project even more so.....More on Carving Finishing >>>
