Whittling in Your Free Time E-Book

Tom Hindes

• Herausgeber: Fox Chapel Publishing
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Seitenzahl: 80

Beschreibung

In continuation of the bestselling 20-Minute Whittling Projects, author, whittling artist, carving teacher, and Woodcarving Illustrated contributor Tom Hindes brings you 16 more fast, easy, and fun whittling projects to complete in just one short sitting! With step-by-step instructions, high-quality photography, and a focus on the beginner-friendly flat-plane style of whittling, you'll carve a variety of safari, aquatic, woodland, farm, and domestic animals. Progressing from very simple to more challenging, each project is meant to encourage you along the rewarding and relaxing path of whittling and build your skills. Whether you're new to whittling or have been doing it for years and want to try a new method, this book is the go-to resource to keep on carving!·   

Leseprobe

DedicationThis book is dedicated to those who have always wanted to carve but are just starting out. Now is the time, now is the place to begin—and I am thrilled to be carving along with you as you do.

Layout Designer and Hand Model: Chris MorrisonEditors: Danielle Schagrin and Kaylee SchofieldCover Photography: Mike MihaloStep-by-Step Photography: Carlyn Hindes Zelko

© 2020 by Tom Hindes and Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc., 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552.

Whittling in Your Free Time is an original work, first published in 2020 by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc. The patterns contained herein are copyrighted by the author. Readers may make copies of these patterns for personal use. The patterns themselves, however, are not to be duplicated for resale or distribution under any circumstances. Any such copying is a violation of copyright law.

For a printable PDF of the patterns used in this book, please contact Fox Chapel Publishing at [email protected], quoting the ISBN and title of this book, as well as the pattern or patterns required.

Print ISBN 978-1-4971-0070-1

eISBN 978-1-6076-5771-2

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020930923

To learn more about the other great books from Fox Chapel Publishing, or to find a retailer near you, call toll-free 800-457-9112 or visit us at www.FoxChapelPublishing.com.

We are always looking for talented authors. To submit an idea, please send a brief inquiry to [email protected].

First printing

Because working with wood and other materials inherently includes the risk of injury and damage, this book cannot guarantee that creating the projects in this book is safe for everyone. For this reason, this book is sold without warranties or guarantees of any kind, expressed or implied, and the publisher and the author disclaim any liability for any injuries, losses, or damages caused in any way by the content of this book or the reader’s use of the tools needed to complete the projects presented here. The publisher and the author urge all readers to thoroughly review each project and to understand the use of all tools before beginning any project.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

GETTING STARTED

PROJECTS

Basics:Sampler

Exercise 1:Carving With and Against the Grain

Exercise 2:Carving Up and Downhill

Safari Animals

Giraffe

Rhino

Lion

Hippo

Aquatic Animals

Dolphin

Polar Bear

Whale

Woodland Animals

Deer

Wolf

Standing Fox

Running Fox

Farm Animals and Pets

Golden Retriever

Scottie

Horse

Chicken

Pig

Appendix

Safety

Basic Cuts

Basics of Sharpening

Finishing

Patterns

About the Author

INTRODUCTION

This book is an introduction to whittling, or carving wood with a knife. I whittle in a simplified flat-plane style, in which I establish the shape of a piece with angular facets; you won’t find many rounded edges in this book! Using four basic knife cuts, I’ll show you how to whittle a menagerie of animals, from the proud lion to the adorable Scottie dog.

Along with the aesthetic appeal, I whittle in the flat-plane style because it doesn’t take much time. Every project in this book is portable and can be completed in under 20 minutes! Even those with a busy schedule can take a few moments out of their day to carve one of my animals.

Whether you are a beginner or more experienced wood carver, I encourage you to check out the Getting Started section, as well as the Appendix in the back. These two sections cover everything from whittling safety to picking the right knife. Once you know the basics, move on to the exercises. They will help you warm up and get comfortable with the knife before you get started on the projects.

What is Whittling?

I define whittling as carving wood with just a knife; whittlers don’t use chisels, gouges, or power tools. When some people think of whittling, specific projects come to mind: pointed sticks, wood chains, and a ball-in-cage. But when I think of whittling, I think of any carving that involves only a knife.

Whittling doesn’t require a large investment in tools or wood. All you need is a good knife, a good piece of wood, and a decent strop to keep your knife edge sharp. I give suggestions on knives and wood to use in the following sections (pages). If you aren’t sure how to sharpen a knife, check out the Basics of Sharpening section (page) in the Appendix.

Whittling is a great hobby that you can take anywhere you go. While some pull out their cell phones when they’re in a waiting room, I work on my latest project! This is why most of the projects in this book are small—I like to choose pieces that can fit in my pocket. I also enjoy doing projects that can be completed quickly. This is what makes whittling fun for beginners—they get immediate satisfaction and are anxious to keep on whittling more pieces.

My whittling often attracts attention from the people around me, especially children. Children are the best audience for whittling because they like small things and they don’t need too much detail to figure out what the whittled animal is. However, even if everything you make is for children, your piece will need some distinguishing characteristics. For example, lions are known for their thick, bushy manes, which are easy for both children and adults to identify quickly. The projects in this book will show you what features to leave in and what to leave out when depicting an animal. Hopefully, it will inspire you to design your own whittled animals, too!

What is Flat-Plane Woodcarving?

Flat-plane woodcarving is a Scandinavian folk art form that employs flat edge cuts rather than rounded edge cuts. Using one knife, the carver establishes a shape using very few cuts, letting the carved facets remain rather than sanding them smooth. Harley Refsal, a master at the flat-plane style, calls it “the difficult art of simplification.” Flat-plane carving often falls under the umbrella of “whittling.”

GETTING STARTED

What Makes a Good Whittling Knife?

One of my favorite things about whittling is that you can do it anywhere. This means the knife you use should be easily transportable. I prefer a folding pocketknife; nothing beats the convenience of safely slipping a folded knife into your pocket. If you would rather use a regular carving knife, just make sure to sheath the blade properly before transporting. Many carvers use cork or a length of silicone rubber tubing for this purpose.

Many manufacturers create folding knives for whittling (or carving) with blades that resemble classic carving knives. These specialty knives can get expensive. They are worth the money if you do a lot of whittling, but you don’t need to buy a specialty knife to whittle.

Many carvers keep a second pocketknife for everyday use in tasks such as opening cardboard boxes, to avoid dulling the sharp pocketknife they use for whittling.

When selecting a knife for whittling, keep the following factors in mind:

Carbon Steel Blade

Many pocketknife blades are made from stainless steel. Stainless steel holds an edge for a long time and doesn’t corrode if you close the knife with a wet blade—both great qualities for pocketknives. But because stainless steel dulls slowly, it sharpens slowly as well. Most carving tools are made from high-carbon steel. Knives with high-carbon steel blades are more expensive than knives with stainless steel blades, but they are easier to sharpen.

Many manufacturers are creating high-carbon stainless steel blades, which combine the durability of stainless steel with the added benefits of carbon steel.

Blade Location

Some pocketknives have 10 to 20 blades. These knives are generally less comfortable to use for long periods of time, and the blades you want to carve with are seldom in the center of the handle. If the knife blade is not in the center of the handle, you lose leverage, which reduces your carving power and control. Instead, look for a knife with two or, at most, three blades, which should ensure the blades are conveniently placed.

Blade Shape

Look for a sheepsfoot blade—one where the tip of the knife is closely aligned with the main cutting edge, similar to a utility knife or standard bench knife. Many pocketknife blades have a drop-point shape, which centers the tip of the knife in the middle of the blade. The drop-point shape works well for general cutting purposes, but makes it difficult to carve small details. I prefere a blade that has had the bevel removed and ground flat. You can reshape a blade using sharpening stones and sandpaper, but the process is time-consuming.

A sheepsfoot blade (top) is better suited for whittling than a drop-point blade (bottom).

Locking Blades

A locking blade keeps the sharp knife from accidentally closing on your fingers, which is a good safety feature. However, as long as you are always aware that a knife can close on your fingers, you should be safe, regardless of whether or not your knife features a locking blade.

Choosing the Right Knife for You

Selecting the ideal knife for you is a matter of personal preference. The size of your grip compared with the size of the handle will greatly influence how comfortable the knife is to use over extended periods of time. The ideal knife for your friend may not be well suited for you. Ask other whittlers for their opinions, but then handle and test several knives before making a purchase.

Selecting the Wood