Rick Wiebe - Whittlin Whistles: How to Make Music with Your Pocket Knife

Chapter 1: Whittlin

W hittlin (I know, the right way to say and spell it is whittling, but somehow whittlin just seems more appropriate), is what we call carving when the only, or at least the main, tool that is used is a knife.

Some modern adults freak out a bit when the word knife or sharp is used, and their children are going to be involved. However, whittlin is far safer than activities that kids do all the time. Yes, it is possible, even likely, that a whittler will cut themselves, but the injury will be minor compared to the kind of thing that can happen while say skiing, or cycling or swimming. I am unaware of anyone who has ever needed a lifeguard while whittlin! No one has ever broken a bone in my class either.

Mostly when we say knife in conjunction with whittlin, we mean a pocket knife. And what a wonderful device that is! It is practically a magic wand. With a pocket knife ordinary sticks can be transformed into wonderful and useful things. A pocket knife folds up and is safe in a pocket when it isnt in use, but is there when a whittlin fit strikes. These fits strike me quite a lot, and if I didnt have my knife with me I would be very frustrated.

It is important to have a good knife. A good knife will not be cheap. Pay the price. Call it an investment in mental health, because poor tools will drive you nuts! This is not to say the knife has to be really expensive. Knives that are excellent for the projects in this book are available for $25 or so.

Here are some knives that would be good for whittlin. A few are antiques, some were made in the USA, one is from England and two are from China. All are excellent. The price range is $35 to $100.

Today, good knives are made in many countries, though the ones made here at home or in Europe tend to be on the more expensive side.

A good knife is not usually a big knife. The right knife will be large enough to grasp but not so large that it is clumsy. A two to four bladed knife is the way to go, with the smaller blades available for most of the work. A larger blade is useful when a little extra reach is needed, or when cutting off branches. No knife is a good substitute for an axe or a machete, both of which are also useful to whittlers at times.

Avoid multi-tools for whittlin, and bulky, multi-purpose knives with corkscrews, unless you want blisters.

When you use the knife make sure it is sharp, since there is less force required working with a sharp knife than with a dull one. Always ask yourself what happens when (not if ), this knife slips when I am cutting this way? If the answer is I will bleed! cut some other way! It is far better to take the time to turn the wood around so that you can cut in a safe direction than to take the time outnever mind the painto put on Band-Aids. Do not cut down on your leg! Cut down on a board or log or something that doesnt matter if it gets nicked.