I need to introduce some kids to whittling wood with a pocket knife. They're a little past soap carving and I've been told cedar and Basswood are both soft to carve. What type of wood would you recommend for beginning kids using pocket knives and what type of piece/pattern would you recommend for them to carve?

Hi DeAnna,

You might want to look at these pages.

http://www.oldjoe.org/BeginnerProjects.html

http://www.woodcarvers.org/project.htm

Hope these help.

Good whittlin, Cliff
Charles City, Iowa
http://cliffordparker.tripod.com

[woodenleg]

I think animals are also good since they can be done stylistically and you still have a nice piece.

Recently in our carving club, we had a beginner project that was a little pig. Very cute, no tough lines, and nice piece when we finished. I don't have a picture, but they are pretty easy to draw.

Having carved both cedar and basswood, I would recommend basswood for beginning carvers. It has a more consistant grain than does cedar which makes it not only easier to carve, but safer.

As for what to carve, might I suggest 'A Beginner's Book of Carving Neckerchief Slides, Pins & Magnets' by Robert Reitmeyer published by 'Fox Chapel.' Actually, you can buy it right on this board, just slide over to BUY BOOKS when your done with this.

[AlArchie]

Here's an easy one! www.carvingpatterns.com/images/fishdecoy-lg.jpg


Give me a couple minutes an I'll get ya a couple more.
Al

[AlArchie]

Or try this one http://members.tripod.com/~cubclub/slidemon.html

Hope this one works, it's good

Al

[makenchips]

I would also recommend Bob Reitmeyers book. I know the man personnally and he is a very skilled carver and teacher. I think he also sell kits to Boyscout troops. Let me know if you want more information and I'll see what I can do.

[AlArchie]

You'll find reitmeyer's stuff at http://www.getasite.com/whittler.htm

and Makenchips is right, he's got a lot of good Scout Stuff and sells slide kits and supplies.

Al