Old time Whittler's tricks: cube in cage, with a wooden chain

Whittlin' really comes down to patience, experience, and skill, in that order. More than just about anything else, moving parts take special attention. It takes lots of tiny cuts in order to carefully remove certain areas, while preserving the parts you'd like to keep.

Whittling free-moving parts is very satisfying when it goes well, and a little heartbreaking when it does not. Break a link in your chain, and you might just discover a few brand-new curse words.

A Mahogany display for some Hand-Carved Mustaches

This mahogany block really took to boiled linseed oil. I love the way the oil darkens the wood, while giving it depth and sheen. To display both rows of mustaches I drilled the front row deeper than the back. This lets the back row sit up a little higher.

I carved a large handlebar mustache in low relief, then painted it black for contrast with the mahogany. I also added a circle of blackboard paint with a light blue border, on which I can chalk the price. The words "Hand-Carved" are applied to one side with a woodburner.

Carved Mustaches on Sticks!

How many varieties of lip whiskers is it possible to carve? I think I just might find out. These 'staches are whittled from basswood, soaked in linseed oil, attached to sticks, and given a final coat of shellac. They're fun, they're dashing, they're mustaches-on-sticks!

Whittling wizard candlesticks from old textile spools

These old textile spools are great for carving. They have some real character, and the beehive shape at one end makes for a great standing base. I carved these as pair, with one wizard's beard arranged normally, and his buddy's beard and mustache are twisted around the spool, like it's blowing in the wind. After carving and sanding, I gave the candlesticks three coats of linseed oil, some acrylic paint for the eyes and eyebrows, and some clear shellac. I like how they look, especially with the brass rings on top.

The flowing mane of a carved toy horse

I've been working on carving more detailed hair recently, and while it's time consuming, I really like the added texture it can bring to a toy. On these toy horses, it makes them look more lively and just plain pretty.

Whittlin' a stable of horses

Just a quick photo update to show some of the horses I'm carving. This new batch will be like Nora's horse, with much more detail in the hair of the manes and tails.

A carved toy horse for Nora

I really like carving these toy horses, especially so when they're going to a friend's newborn baby. Like many others, this horse is carved from basswood using one of my Swedish Mora knives. There's more attention paid to the detail of the mane and tail than in previous horses, and I'm happy with how it came out. I took great care to soften all the edges, and gave it a good sanding. Salad bowl finish, acrylic paint, and spray shellac give the horse it's color, while also sealing it and protecting it. The small letter "n" woodburned onto the right hip stands for Nora.