r/whittling

All my carvings are knife only. I've owned more than 10 knives over the last year or so, tested them all, sold most of them, learned what I like and dislike on a whittling knife. I don't want to collect knives anymore, so I only keep those I intend to use. I've used beavercraft, flexcut, and local handmade knives.

From left to right:

1- MStein N2 knife

I've been using this knife and this knife only for the past 6 months. I got used to its handle and blade, done A LOT of stropping and carving with it. I can say it is a very reliable tool, and even though I payed more with shipping and taxes, its price is at 13 euros. It's a simple tool that works really well. With this knife, I found the handle style I prefer (something I can wrap my hand around completely), and fully understood that I really need one simple good knife, and that's enough. Would 100% recommend to someone, beginner or experienced. Never had a problem with the steel, holds the edge very well, easy to strop. The type of grind never stopped me from gliding though the wood like butter. A couple of nicks on the edge when I moved to harder woods, until I learned to adapt when using tougher materials. Stropped it all away. If I ever need it, I would buy a batch of those for giving a class or something without a second thought. I intend to give the handle a little treat by sanding and oiling it.

2- Custom made knife, by a local blacksmith

One knife is all it takes to whittle, but one is none. If I break it or lose it, I can't carve. So I ordered a custom knife from a local blacksmith. I was already familiar with his work, having owned, used then sold a knife of his making. As the pictures tell, I asked for a copy of my trusted MStein knife. I have to say he nailed it. The blade shape and size is pretty much the same, the bevel is grinded higher than the MStein style per my request. The handle is the same shape and size, but MUCH more nicely finished. it is very comfortable to hold, came super sharp and will probably become my favourite over time. I tested it for a couple hours, and I think the bevel angle is different because I struggled to carve with it for the first couple of minutes, till I changed the angle of the cut. I trust that by using it and stropping it my way it will slowly adjust. I will carve a lot to see how it holds, as to compare with the MStein. Mainly interested in seeing if there is any notable difference due to the different steel. If I end up liking it, it may replace the MStein knife, as to support a local handmade product.

3- OCCT knife

This one is a sad story, and I made a whole post about it for those interested. In short terms, It came to me not as sharp as I've hoped, very disapointing at the time. I tried to fix it, made it worse, so I sent to the blacksmith that made knife 2. He fixed the shape, maintained the flat grind, gave the handle a little treat and sent it back. The steel seems to be harder than the other ones, and it is a little bit longer. I got to admit I kind of prefer the sharper shape on the tip, it goes down in a straight fashion rather than in a curve. Makes it easier for chip carvings thinkgs like pyramid cuts. The flat grind everyone told me it was great, not a fan. The knife goes straight into the wood, the angle you insert it is the angle it comes out (it does not deflect) and I believe that's the idea, maybe I am just not used to it but made carving harder for me. Still makes clean cuts, holds the edge very well, it just feels very stiff. I don't really care anymore, since I found knives I like now. Might sell it in the near future, after carving more with it. Also not a fan of the handle, but it could be sanded. Perhaps I was just out of luck with this one, just didn't 'click' for me, but it works, it is sharp and functioning.

This was a fun project suggested by a friend!

My bearded mountain man who lets us all hang out is painted! I just need to add the sealer coat and he’s done! I’m pretty happy with how the paint job came out on this one!

A little sea turtle magnet i made for my mom. First time I utilized a wood burner.

The Great Gimaldi - Master of pathetic illusions and bearer of stepped on pipe weed. This legendary hobo wizard can wiggle his fingers and if he is lucky will make a few sparks or a rainbow thats missing a few colors!

1x1x4 basswood

Carved from a piece of American Walnut. I tried to carve deeper into the face to get more realistic proportions this time. I borrowed a 1.5mm U gouge from a friend which made the details of the hair immensely easier. I’ll probably go back and do some more shaping of the cheeks and add some ears but I’m satisfied with him for now and ready to move onto the next project. Fun!

May not be perfect but super proud of my first carving. Picked up the hobby on a whim but definitely think I’m gonna stick with it.

Third work 🗿

Haven't worked with wood much since changing jobs. First little project on the side. Used to be able to go to a shared workspace from my job, worked more with angle grinders and dremels, but can't kick up dust like that here in the appartement. Bought a carving knife recently and just kinda tried.

My second project, inspired by this lil guy that showed up near my home a few weeks ago

I added a couple of coats of polyurethane to gloss it out.

Any suggestions on the fellow in the middle? Was planning on the fisherman getting classic wader colors and the wizard a light blue robe, but im not sure about the lantern holder.

I had to do it. Yes it's clickbait, but it happened. I broke my knife.

Modern life if training us to think first, do later, feel never. Whittling is teaching me to run it backwards. And three knives later, I'm starting to get it.

Top one I carved last night before bed, just something to cool my brain down with what I had at home. I wanted to try something new, and it shows I had no idea what I was doing. But I got some good feedback.

This morning I woke up early, went out for a walk with the idea of building a bigger and better knife. Turns out walking with a purpose like that is its own kind of meditation. Scanning the ground, picking sticks up, weighing them, smelling them. Probably I was looking like an idiot from the outside but who cares, inside I felt something in between a farmer and a hunter.I found a good stick, started carving knife number two. Halfway in, the blade snapped in teh middle. I got angry, threw it without thinking, started the third one right away.

Third one came out great. Smooth, bigger, sharper edge and tip. Basically made myself a fidget toy without planning to. As I was doing the final touch ups, I realized, what's the difference really? Both are mine. Like two sons, can't pick one over the other. Went back to find the broken pieces. Found the blade, couldn't find the handle anywhere. I'm keeping the blade as a souvenir. It felt wrong to throw it away.

I started whittling as an outdoor hobby and I intend to keep it that way. My work is mostly a desk job, and modern life is mostly screens anyway, the only tactile feedback we get is the click of a mouse and aiming to touch pixels on a glass screen. Whittling is the complete opposite. It's a sensory circus. Touching a smooth surface feels great, a tiny splinter hurts like a bitch. Every branch has its own grain, the knife demands respect and intense focus, every tiny cut works the whole brain. And the part I love most, it gives me permission to stop chasing perfection. For once in my life I'm genuinely bad at something and enjoying it with everything I've got.

Honestly, even writing this post is part of the whole thing. But the order matters. First I did it, then I felt it, and only now I'm sitting down to intellectualize it. Turns out that's how we're supposed to live. Not researching the perfect knife for three weeks, blocking a calendar slot, watching tutorials, buying gear, building expectations sky high before we even picking up a single stick.

Repeat after me: there are many knives like this, but this one is mine.

I don't even know what they look like. I like how clean basswood looks (left), but there is no match to the cedar texture. Still on my journey to define what wood /size / finish I will be focusing on.

Tittle: survival Medium: basswood Description: hand carved with x-acto knife and an engraving pen

Finally finished up my Japanese charicature carving! I think he turned out pretty cool! What should I name him?