The best wood whittling book for you

Every day, hobbies connected with the most ancient types of crafts are gaining more and more popularity. Wood carving is one of them.

A hobby such as woodcarving is very calming and helps set you up in a creative way. It puts thoughts in order, helps to relax and escape from the daily hustle and bustle.

Benefits of Artistic Carving

Woodcarving as a hobby brings joy and satisfaction from doing what you love. If you can turn your passion into profit, that’s even better.

Wood carving is soothing. In all the daily hustle and digitalization process, many people often lack silence and the opportunity to stop at least for a few minutes, left alone with their thoughts.

Carving is soothing manual labor that improves brain functions, clearing it of fears and sad thoughts, and gives a person a healthy pride in the result.

Hand-carved natural wood products have been valued since ancient times. Luxuriously carved chests, caskets, unusual tables and chairs, chic picture and mirror frames, environmentally friendly wooden toys, custom-made furniture, board games, and accessories – the range of what you can carve from wood is almost limitless.

Wood carving is not only an exciting hobby but also an opportunity to earn extra money. Wood carving will be a great idea for your own small but profitable business. However, you should carefully study all the nuances and features that you are likely to face in the future if you are an enthusiast and amateur in this ​​art. It’s a great idea to buy a good wood carving book that will teach you the secrets of the craft and help you avoid mistakes in the process.

The Importance of Having Good Tools and Supplies for Wood Carving

To make carvings from natural wood, first of all, you will need to purchase special tools: woodworking knives (whittling knives, carving knives, and hooked knives for carving spoons, bowls, and cups), various chisels and gouges, mallets, and various accessories (polishing compounds, honing strops, etc.).

Wood carving knives, which many carvers call simply knives, come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Finding a good tool is not an easy task. But it is achievable if you know where to look. 😉

Carving wood without a tool and the guidance and theoretical material is inefficient. The tools set of a woodcarver is very diverse, and the more complex whittling projects he performs, the higher his level of professionalism. If you want to study the features of this art thoroughly, you should look for the best wood whittling book to implement even the most complex projects.

What is the Best Wood Carving Book? The Book of Wood Carving: Technique, Designs and Projects

It is impossible to learn something without having the slightest idea about it. Of course, you should not be afraid of difficulties, mistakes, and failures.

Learn the theory of wood carving. Read books, study the work of famous carvers, attend courses, read blogs. Develop a sense of taste. Surround yourself with woodcarving – develop the habit of daily looking for and noticing wood carving techniques in any of their manifestations. Architecture, interiors, objects, decor… Carved wood is actually closer than you might think. 😉

Study the work of other woodcarvers every day. Follow the trends, get inspired. Try to surround yourself exclusively with what inspires you. The more beautiful and useful for learning this type of creativity you see, the better your sense of taste will be, the more knowledge about woodcarving you will accumulate.

Every enthusiast and whittling expert can have their own best wood carving book. This is a theoretical and practical guide, a manual for amateurs and specialists, where all the techniques of artistic carving are described, varieties of ornaments and illustrations are presented.

The books presented in the recommended list below will help an enthusiastic person to master the wonderful world of creativity – the world of artistic wood carving.

https://www.amazon.com/20-Minute-Whittling-Projects-Step-Step/dp/1565238672/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2H0TYSF4XDTDB&keywords=wood+whittling+book&qid=1642406268&sprefix=wood+whittling+book%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-3 

  1. The first book that I want to share and that anyone who has chosen to carve wood as their hobby or vocation should read is “20-Minute Whittling Projects: Fun Things to Carve from Wood” by Tom Hindes.

This book is a unique guide for those who want to become a true master in woodcarving. Here, all the features of the artistic processing of wood are described in an accessible and comprehensive way. The publication describes in detail the tools needed by a woodcarver. Particular attention is paid to the theory of applied art, the construction of all kinds of ornaments, and the technology of making handicrafts.

The author has prepared the most significant theoretical material that will help you learn a quick and easy way to carve wood. If you want to spend no more than 20 minutes on a whittling project, this book will become your indispensable assistant.

The author made all the drawings and ornaments skillfully, describing in detail all kinds of tools and devices for woodcarving, which will help an inexperienced carver in his work. You can buy this book if you are interested in carving techniques and their application in various fields. It’s also great for children who want to learn the basic skills of carving wooden caricatures.

 

Pros
  • a good list of projects with the necessary templates;
  • projects describing techniques and safety tips;
  • a good guide if you don’t have much free time for hobbies;
  • a good gift for children.

Cons
  • some found the book not novice-friendly;
  • some whittling projects may require a band saw;
  • not all projects can be completed in 20 minutes.

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Starter-Whittling-Ready-Carve/dp/1565238427/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2H0TYSF4XDTDB&keywords=wood+whittling+book&qid=1642406268&sprefix=wood+whittling+book%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-2 

  1. 2. The next book I want to focus on is “Complete Starter Guide to Whittling: 24 Easy Projects You Can Make in a Weekend” by the editors of Woodcarving Illustrated.

This book is the woodcarving enthusiast’s guide by the world-renowned Woodcarving Illustrated magazine. This is a step-by-step course of study. Following written, you will complete tasks from the first to the last chapters of the book together with the authors. Very detailed instructions, tool sharpening techniques, and whittling projects – here you will find everything you need for a successful start and an exciting continuation of wood carving.

Pros
  • over 20 simple wood carving projects;
  • easy-to-learn instructions;
  • photos describing carving techniques, showing how to sharpen tools and give a finished look to your wood products;
  • ready-made patterns for woodcarving;
  • advice on how to choose a reliable tool, correctly and accurately perform basic cuts, etc.

Cons
  • not quite a “how-to” book;
  • for some projects may seem too complicated as for a starter guide;
  • some projects require more tools than a whittling knife.

https://www.amazon.com/Learn-Gnomes-Trolls-Mythical-Creatures/dp/1497101123/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2H0TYSF4XDTDB&keywords=wood+whittling+book&qid=1642406268&sprefix=wood+whittling+book%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-5 

3.“Learn to Carve Gnomes, Trolls, and Mythical Creatures: 15 Simple Step-by-Step Projects” by Sara Barraclough is our next nominee for the best wood carving book.

You will definitely like this book if you love all sorts of gnomes, fairies, elves, and various other magical little creatures. It contains 15 amazing projects for those who wish to improve their knowledge of woodcarving. This manual is suitable for woodcarvers of all skill levels. If you want to learn how to whittle wood and carve various fantastic creatures, don’t hesitate to purchase this helpful wood carving book.

This guide will help you quickly grow your skills, and create cool gnomes with all the details – hats, clothes, expressive eyes. If you don’t want to carve gnomes but prefer a cute hedgehog or a funny dragon, or more like funny wizards and fantastic unicorns, no problem! Anyone who buys “Learn to Carve Gnomes, Trolls, and Mythical Creatures” will appreciate it. With such a source of professional and amateur literature, you will find the perfect source of inspiration for woodcarving.

 

Pros
  • well-described instructions;
  • suitable for carvers of all levels;
  • will help to raise carving skills to a new level;
  • cool book for kids and those who want to learn how to carve little magical creatures.

Cons
  • some projects are difficult to complete if you don’t have a band saw;
  • not as many mythical creatures as some would like.

https://www.amazon.com/Cane-Topper-Woodcarving-Step-Step/dp/1565239598/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2H0TYSF4XDTDB&keywords=wood+whittling+book&qid=1642406268&sprefix=wood+whittling+book%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-7 

  1. “Cane Topper Woodcarving: Projects, Patterns, and Essential Techniques for Custom Canes and Walking Sticks” by Lora S. Irish. If you like to feel like a creator, you love to carve wooden ornaments, toys, souvenirs, and create wooden utensils with your own hands, then this book is for you. Here you will find the characteristics of wood species, tips on organizing the workplace and the selection of tools, detailed descriptions of carving techniques.

The author of this book has collected samples of carved ornaments and decorative elements and examples of finished products that you can use in your work. The publication is intended for a wide range of readers.

Wherever you are, at home, in nature by the fire, on the terrace of your summer cottage, or traveling, this book will help you relax and have fun with benefits. All you need to create something beautiful and unique is a wood carving knife and a piece of wood.

The friendly and accessible instructions and advice reflect the quiet simplicity of wood carving. And it doesn’t matter if you want to master one of the simplest forms of woodcarving at a high level or just want to have a quiet and relaxing time.

Pros
  • detailed step by step instructions;
  • color photographs of each project;
  • friendly advice and tips from the author.

Cons
  • no tiki figures woodcarving manuals;
  • may seem not very informative to experienced carvers.

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Woodcarving-Everything-Master-ebook/dp/B08T6K3QJP 

  1. And finally, let me bring to your attention another source of knowledge and inspiration that will come in handy for anyone interested in woodcarving. “The Complete Book of Woodcarving: Everything You Need to Know to Master the Craft” by Everett Ellenwood will help you learn the basics of woodcarving and fall in love with this art forever.

This source of helpful information covers all aspects of woodcarving. It will teach you how to cut wood properly and give your creations a finished look. Whether you are an amateur or an advanced woodcarver, you will learn how to choose the right wood for carving, learn what the choice of tool is based on, the features of its use, and sharpening.

You will learn general carving styles and techniques and choose the one that suits your taste and preferences. For the sake of clarity, you’ll learn eight whittling projects with step-by-step instructions designed to help you develop your wood carving skills.

Pros
  • pretty well detailed;
  • good as a gift;
  • useful step by step tips;
  • describes technologies for sharpening tools and choice of woods.

Cons
  • lack of some of the topics;
  • incomplete guide.

As you gain experience and confidence, you will be less likely to refer to these books and job descriptions and will be able to experiment with the wood carving on your own.

Victor Davis

I am Victor Davis, enchanted by the whispers of wood from a young age. Raised amidst nature's embrace, I found solace and inspiration in its textures. From the first stroke of my knife to intricate designs, my journey unfolded, guided by mentors and fueled by passion. Join me in exploring the beauty of wood, where each carve reveals stories of craftsmanship and connection. Together, let's uncover the soul of the wood and the artist within.

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