Wood Whittling

Wood whittling is the craft of carving wood by hand with a small, sharp knife, shaving off thin curls until a shape appears. It's one of the oldest woodland skills, used for making everything from tools to toys. Little experience is needed to start, which makes it a wonderful, calming craft for families to learn together.

Beginners often start with something simple, like a mushroom, a tent peg or a little animal. Spoons, spatulas and butter spreaders are classic next steps, and spoon carving is a whole craft of its own.

Soft, fresh wood is easiest to carve. Woodworkers call it green wood, which simply means wood that hasn't dried out yet. Lime, birch, willow and sycamore are all good choices.

The main tool is a whittling knife, which has a short, fixed blade that's easy to control. Some carvers use a folding pocket knife, and spoon makers add a curved hook knife to hollow out the bowl.

First comes knife safety. Your Activity Leader shows you how to hold the knife, how to sit and why you always keep a clear space around you. Then you practise the basic cuts. The straight-away cut pushes the blade along the wood, away from your body. The thumb push cut uses the thumb of your other hand to guide the blade in small, controlled strokes. A stop cut goes straight down into the wood, so the next cut has a neat place to stop. Before long, a shape starts to appear, and that moment is always a proud one.

Yes, with the right tools and close supervision. Whittling helps children slow down, concentrate and treat sharp tools with respect. Many families find it relaxing too, as it's quiet, focused work with the lovely smell of fresh wood all around. Every finished piece is a little different, so it becomes a keepsake to treasure.

Comfortable clothes you don't mind covering in wood shavings, plus long trousers and closed-toe shoes. Tie back long hair and roll up baggy sleeves so they stay clear of the blade. Some whittlers also wear a cut-resistant glove on the hand that holds the wood.

You might also like Spear Making, Axe Skills and Rope Making.

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