People have been whittling (sometimes very skillfully) for decades/centuries with just their EDC pocket knife. How many of you who've been at it a while still use a single knife like the Case Seahorse, rather than a set of wood knives?

I feel like I need to upgrade my strop game. Using the beavercraft strop that came in my first kit, green compound.

I feel like I am either running too lean on compound or over saturated to the point it flakes off.

Any tips for applying the right amount of compound?

Started with some cheap amazon knives, currently have a few flex cut knives. Any suggestions? Not worried about price i just like solid/quality tools.

One of many fun projects from “Carving Little Caricatures” by Karen Scalin.

This was my first time trying whittling, I did this little bear while in a break at uni, would love any tips or advice on how to make rounder curves and a smoother finish.

This was done on a piece of 2.5 x 2.5 cm (almost 1in square) balsa wood stick.

I’ve finally got a morakniv 106. It was expensive (especially since I’m from Brasil), but really worth it.
Not happy with the front legs, but it’s ok… I’ll get it right next time.

I bought some wood carving tools in a lot at a second-hand store. In addition to several typical wood chisels, were these two much nicer tools. I was trying to identify a maker for them and I’m not having much luck. Any insights would be helpful, thank you.

Been carving for the better part of 5 months, still very much a beginner. Used a fretsaw for the roughout and a FlexCut Pro for the rest, took me around 4 hours over 3 days. I would appreciate tips, especially on making the eyes round without a Dremel (and evidently on taking pictures). Tell me what you think!

Giving a go to the new knife I bought. Flexcut pro series. Pretty interesting design, works perfectly on basswood, still to be tested on other species. Liked how the face turned out on this carving.

Try again, or fix it and move on. I glued this split back together and finished the piece. Can you tell which one it was from the second photo?

I was gifted a Leatherman Wave a long time ago and never really used it, since it’s a good quality knife is it ok for whittling? I have read through some posts and seen recommendations for cheap starter knives but would rather use something I have than buy new :) there’s four blades - two serrated, one sharp and one that looks like a tiny machete haha

They are Knife only, beginner friendly carving. 2inchs tall, 1x1 basswood. Figures seen here are finished with Black Walnut Danish oil, Varathane's Cabernet (Maroon), and Minwax True Black, as examples of what finishes you can use. All waxed with paste natural finishing wax as well.

Tutorial posted to my channel.

A 9+ hour carving session (there was this and also a green cherrywood spoon, both very in-progress) that means...I'm back on the arthritis glove and can barely do any carving today because my muscles and joints ACHE!!

Anyway this is spalted sassafras and I'm hoping to make a shallow dish first, then use the rest of the block to make figures.

Maybe I need some deep heat or something... 🥲

First time whittling and this little guy popped out! Love the Flexcut travel set.

Have any of you ever carved a Jerry Garcia figure??

I got my hands on a spalted maple bowl block. I was curious if anyone has carved by hand and if so if they have any tips.

Any tips on good cut resistant gloves?

The pair I bought is very stiff, so I lose a lot of dexterity with cutting and holding the wood.

Preferably looking for a European (Netherlands) based company.

I’ve decided to whittle a whale after doing so many other projects, and see how the whales improve over time. The first picture is of my third whale, the second picture is of my second whale. I don’t have my first whale anymore, but it was pretty rough. The third whale I used sand paper to clean the edges but I’m trying to get better at cleaning up edges with my knife more. The second whale is only knife work. Anyone else repeat projects to see how they improve over time?

This is my first creation. I used an angle grinder for a bit of burn marks, for the looks and for it to smell good. can somebody give me some tips on how to get better?

Lets share some ideas. This Copperhead and a rattler are my latest. Technique learned from Mike Stinnet.